Underneath The Leaves | By : ChaCha92 Category: Naruto AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 4798 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: Don't own anything in the Naruto universe. Some dude in Japan does. Make no money on my stories either. |
Enjoying some rare downtime, Sasuke spends the day catching up on his housekeeping. With Naruto and Kakashi having gone underground and his other duties finished for the day, he finds himself without anything better to do.
Currently moving through the living room, he wipes the accumulating dust off various smooth surfaces while his thoughts drift aimlessly before returning to recent events. To say the least, it has been an interesting few days.
Having his world change drastically from one minute to the next is nothing new. His entire life has been defined by repeated catastrophic shifts. However, it still never ceases to amaze him how much change can occur in so little time.
He has adapted and grown with these changes, surviving with his goals relatively intact. No longer solely focused on avenging his clan, he is determined to learn the truth, no matter how ugly. Afterward, he can wreak vengeance if need be.
Since returning to the village he devoted much time contemplating his other dilemma, reestablishing his clan. A responsibility he doesn’t take lightly.
Finishing the end table he leaves the room, heading to the back of the house. Discarding the dirty rag in the laundry room, he returns with another rag and a bottle of furniture polish.
His thoughts fall onto his first and best choice for a wife, Naruto. He struggles to keep his desire secret from her. Simply put, in many respects she’s unattainable.
He’s well aware how devoted she is to her career as a shinobi and won’t easily give that up to become anyone’s wife or mother. She was also trapped in a relationship with, in his opinion, the biggest dumbass to walk the earth. Besides, she’d never look at him as anything more than a friend and rival.
Unfortunately, Sakura noticed his secret desire and shocked him by encouraging him to pursue Naruto.
Okay, so maybe not ‘unfortunately.’
Buffing another table, Sasuke’s lips quirk into a wry smirk at the irony. His former, number one fangirl is encouraging him to start a relationship with his biggest rival. Never in a million years would he have imagined it.
He only began believing he has a chance when Naruto broke up with Genma four nights ago. That sentiment was short lived, though. He may have jeopardized his shot fighting with Genma that night. Not that he regrets it. He wasn’t wrong. However, what he thinks and what Naruto thinks are consistently two very different things.
Still, she always finds a way to forgive his transgressions. His main problem now is how to approach her. Expressing his emotions is not his strong suit. He isn’t sure how to switch from insulting her on a near daily basis to declaring his love. The last woman he said ‘I love you’ to was his mother. This is definitely new territory.
Finished polishing he puts the bottle and rags away and moves onto the bedroom. Having stripped the sheets earlier, he unfolds a fresh set and begins making the bed.
Adding insult to injury, he ends up in the doghouse with the Hokage over his fight with Genma and disobeying Kakashi’s direct order to stand down. The entire situation bothers him more than he cares to admit. He never used to give a shit, but he has renewed his commitment to becoming a shinobi for the village again. He agreed to it to keep his promise to Naruto to give returning a shot while trying to uncover the truth about the massacre.
Spreading out the flat sheet, he reluctantly acknowledges that every day he finds himself wanting more and more to belong again, regardless of the outcome of their investigation. He missed being a part of the rank and file. He enjoys the missions he gets now as a member of Team Kakashi, especially this last one to infiltrate Sakurogi Kakeru’s estate. He loved the rush, the challenge and danger, which now has him considering joining ANBU.
Unfortunately, his fight with Genma might’ve seriously threatened that new goal.
The only other bright spot out of the whole mess that has been this past week is Danzo approaching him again, offering advice and friendship.
Breaking off from his thoughts, Sasuke finishes putting the comforter and pillows back in place before heading to the laundry room to contend with the dirty pile of clothes and linens on the floor.
Sorting the colors he muses on Tsunade offering him the mission to infiltrate Danzo’s organization. Once she, Kakashi and Naruto explained their suspicions and laid everything they knew about the man on the table, he instinctively knew Danzo is somehow responsible for the massacre.
He had plenty of experience with devious plotters and understands their psychology. Ordering the death of an entire clan to further his goals would not be beyond a man like Danzo. He may profess to have done it for the good of the village, but in the end it’ll all be for his own gain. Power is too strong and lucrative a drug for him to deny.
Sasuke knew he had to take the risk to uncover the truth and protect Naruto. Even if she never becomes his lover, she’s still his friend and Danzo won’t stop until he succeeds in killing her.
Throwing another shirt onto the dark pile, he’s still surprised Danzo approached him as he left the tower after Tsunade’s dressing down over his fight with Genma.
Meandering sullenly through the empty corridors, Sasuke glanced up at the sound of irregularly paced footsteps echoing around the corner ahead. He was a touch surprised to see Danzo rounding the corner, approaching from the opposite direction.
Not feeling in the mood for dealing with the old schemer after Tsunade just got done jumping on his ass it didn’t take much effort to appear as if he had no intention of speaking to the councilor.
“Afternoon, Sasuke,” Danzo greeted in his usual serene manner.
“Hn,” he responded with his usual grunt, continuing past the old man.
“It must be frustrating to be so close to realizing your goals.”
Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks.
“Yet, due to circumstances beyond your control, you are still far from achieving them,” Danzo’s voice drifted back.
Without turning around Sasuke remained silent.
“You have done well atoning for your past actions against the village, accepting responsibility like a true Uchiha,” Danzo complimented from behind. “Taking the long slow approach earning your promotions without complaint when your skills are clearly well above those of the legendary Sannin. By now you should be an ANBU, or at least a jounin.”
“I’m just doing what’s necessary to reclaim my place in the village and prove myself to those that matter,” Sasuke finally replied, still not turning around.
“You already have,” Danzo stated, causing Sasuke to finally turn to face him.
His face revealed nothing as Danzo continued.
“It is obvious to those who recognize your true skill that if you wanted to, you could have easily destroyed the village at any time since Tsunade-hime released you from the hospital. Instead, you complied with the conditions set upon you. It takes a man with great strength of character to comply with such demeaning restrictions.”
“It’s not so demeaning when it’s a necessary sacrifice to ensure the future of my clan and its place in the village,” Sasuke calmly reasoned.
Danzo silently studied Sasuke who continued standing impassively in front of him.
“You have grown into an impressive man,” he intoned. “I would like you to join me for dinner.”
Sasuke eyed him.
“Why? Few people are interested in me beyond recruiting me as an investor in some sort of business scheme or attempting to seduce me into marrying into their family.”
He didn’t fail to notice Danzo’s face imperceptibly relaxing.
“Your skepticism is understandable,” Danzo nods. “I always had an interest in aiding the wellbeing of Konoha. That includes aiding the clans to become stronger. I regret there was nothing I could do to stop the Uchiha massacre. No one could foresee that tragedy. The least I can do is aid the last survivor and possibly atone for my impotence in the matter. You have a lot of work to do in reestablishing your clan, so perhaps I can help in some way.”
Sasuke considered his words.
“I can’t see how you can help since it really only involves me finding a suitable wife. One who isn’t interested in her own gain or raising her family social status.”
“Things are never as simple as they appear,” Danzo smiled. “I am an old man, but age is not only accompanied by wisdom. I am deeply rooted in Konoha. Perhaps you may find those connections useful.”
As if in contemplation, Sasuke allowed the silence to stretch out despite already knowing his answer.
“I haven’t been able to come as far as I have without help.” Looking Danzo in the eye, he added, “I accept your invitation.”
Danzo merely inclined his head as he began walking and Sasuke fell into step next to him.
Dinner that night with Danzo was interesting. The old man was deft in revealing as little as possible despite Sasuke’s careful prodding. The others were correct; Danzo is not one to be underestimated.
This mission is going to be the biggest, most dangerous challenge he’s ever faced. He knew exactly what the Akatsuki and Orochimaru’s intentions were, however, Danzo is far more subtle and cunning.
Starting the machine with the first load in the wash, Sasuke heads to the kitchen to make lunch. Again his mind drifts to his dinner that night with Danzo.
Sasuke wasn’t surprised dinner would be at Danzo’s mansion. The old man could control and manipulate the situation better on his home turf.
While dinner was being prepared, Danzo gave Sasuke a tour of his home.
Sasuke mentally applauded the councilor. It was a brilliant tactic. One designed to put him at ease and give him the false sense of gaining insight into Danzo’s mind by seeing his inner sanctum. However, like everything else, even Danzo’s home was a carefully crafted facade.
The mansion was more a museum than a home. There were many historical artifacts on display, but absolutely no personal effects, nothing to outwardly hint to the motivations or beliefs of the man who lived there.
When dinner was finally served, the two men engage in what could very loosely be described as small talk.
“I trust you are in good health?” Danzo asked, picking up a piece of beef from his plate with his chopsticks and putting it in his mouth.
“Yes.”
“What are your feelings regarding your return to the village?”
“Not much has changed.”
“Hm,” Danzo hummed softly while reaching for his sake cup. “It is good that things are progressing better than expected, but it would feel more successful if you were at a further point than what you are now,” he observed before taking a sip.
It took all of Sasuke’s self-control appear unaffected despite being unnerved by Danzo’s eerily accurate assessment despite his succinct answers.
Taking a sip of sake from his own sake cup, Sasuke mentally noted he would have to always be on his toes around the man.
“It explains why you are so closed off,” Danzo offhandedly commented, increasing the tension in the room.
“My time with Orochimaru and the Akatsuki are touchy subjects with some people,” Sasuke replied, meeting his inscrutable gaze. “Since they significantly affected my life it stands to reason I wouldn’t willingly share my thoughts and feelings about anything with anyone.”
Sasuke knew he answered correctly when Danzo chuckled.
“A truly cunning warrior is never free with his thoughts and emotions. You are smart to have learned that lesson well,” Danzo complimented.
“Thank you,” Sasuke replied while they continued their meal, their conversation remaining obscure as they danced around the specifics of any given topic.
Eating his sandwich, Sasuke remembers returning home that night with the mother of all stress headaches.
It was worth it.
He intrigued Danzo enough to keep him interested. The old man even went so far to suggest they should meet again.
Sasuke knows he’ll have to keep Danzo guessing. It’s a dangerous game, but until Danzo believes he has complete mastery over the last Uchiha, he will not reveal himself, giving Sasuke what he needs to nail the lid shut on the old man’s coffin.
Having exhausted his musings on Danzo, his mind drifts to his conversation yesterday with Sakura. With Kakashi and Naruto in hiding because of some stupid betting pool on her breakup, he figured he should invite Sakura over for lunch to ask her about Naruto going into her four-tailed transformation.
The knock on the door echoed through the house into the kitchen, prompting Sasuke to set down the knife to answer it.
“Hi, Sasuke-kun,” Sakura greets cheerfully.
“Hey, Sakura. Come on in,” he gestured. Taking her coat he added, “I’ve already started making lunch, so let’s head into the kitchen.”
“Okay,” she nodded and followed him into the kitchen.
As he picked up the knife and resumes cutting the radish, Sakura settled in a seat at the counter.
“Thanks for stopping by. I hope it wasn’t an inconvenience.”
“It wasn’t, but I still would’ve accepted your invitation anyway because I wanted to hear what happened the other night instead of all the rumors flying around,” Sakura admitted sheepishly.
Pausing to roll his eyes, Sasuke grabbed some scallions and started chopping them.
“At least you’re asking. Unlike those other morons who are more than happy to feed into the gossip and participate in a stupid betting pool.”
“That was pretty crass,” she replied, watching him work. “It isn’t anyone else’s business and things are humiliating enough for Naruto.”
“I certainly didn’t help,” Sasuke admitted almost too quietly for her to hear.
Sakura pretended she didn’t
“It was a good thing Naruto and Kakashi disappeared. Ino told me idiots were badgering them at home all day before they took off.”
His grip around the knife handle tightened while he took a calming breath.
“If I’d known, I’d have hung around and helped discourage those jerks, but Naruto wasn’t too happy with me at that time.”
“What happened?” Sakura gently prodded. “I heard you got into it with Genma, but I know you. You wouldn’t have done it if you didn’t feel justified.”
“I followed Kakashi, Yamato and Raido when they took off after Naruto and dumbass left the bar. They were arguing and I told the jerk off. I didn’t listen when Kakashi ordered me to stand down and started beating his ass when he hit Naruto.”
Sakura gaped at him.
“I’m surprised Naruto wasn’t beating Genma’s ass herself.”
“I didn’t give her a chance,” Sasuke reluctantly admitted. “That’s what got her pissed at me. Didn’t help that while I was fighting with shithead she got nailed in the nose by him when I ducked his punch.”
“I heard about that from Kagura who treated her that night and badly too,” Sakura rolled her eyes. “Tsunade-shishou had to re-break and set Naruto’s nose again because of it. Shizune really let Kagura have it for running her mouth like a damn river instead of respecting patient confidentiality and paying attention to what she was doing.”
“Good. Otherwise I’d have helped her learn to keep her mouth shut by breaking her jaw,” Sasuke coldly stated, sending a shiver down Sakura’s spine. “Anyway, that brings me to why I asked you over. What I’m going to ask you about has been classified by Tsunade, so you can’t tell anyone, not even Ino.”
At Sakura’s nod of understanding he continued.
“Our fight triggered Naruto to go into demon cloak mode.” He pauses and notes the horrified realization in her eyes. “Yeah, exactly. Yamato and Kakashi got her back under control quickly. Jiraiya was there when Tsunade handed me my ass and told me to ask you about the time Naruto and Orochimaru went at it on the Tenchi bridge.”
“Tsunade-shishou has every reason to classify that,” Sakura agreed solemnly. “And you’re damn lucky Kakashi and Yamato were there because it really could’ve gotten a hell of a lot worse.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Naruto said I had no idea how close I came to dying that night, so I want to know about it.”
“Didn’t Orochimaru and Kabuto tell you about it?” Sakura asked in confusion. “It was right before we saw you for the first time since you left.”
“No. I never asked about their activities. I wouldn’t have cared to hear it anyway,” he shrugged. “I was surprised when you guys showed up at the base not long afterward, but that was it.”
“Oh,” Sakura replied in disappointment, unable to hide the hurt. Recovering she continued, “Okay, I’ll tell you what I saw. Some of it I heard from Yamato later, but it was too dangerous for us to get close to the last part of the battle.”
Sasuke nodded and finished cooking. He served their lunch and they ate while she told him what happened. When she finished her story, he sighed heavily.
“Now I get why the Hokage was so pissed at me.”
“Yeah,” Sakura nods solemnly. “If she continued unchecked she would’ve destroyed the entire village that night and you would’ve been her first kill. And no one can get through to her like that. She can’t tell the difference between friend and foe.”
“Sounds like she pushed Orochimaru to his limits if he retreated. He wouldn’t have met your team on the bridge if he didn’t believed he could win.”
“It was terrifying seeing Naruto like that,” Sakura quietly admitted. Correcting herself, she added, “No, that wasn’t Naruto. It was definitely the Kyuubi in control.”
Sasuke’s startled eyes snapped to her, but he quickly recovered his composure as she continued.
“Naruto didn’t know what happened when she first woke up, but felt so guilty when Yamato told her everything.”
“I can imagine,” Sasuke mused, rising to his feet to clear their empty plates.
Pulling his thoughts out of memory lane, Sasuke sets up the machine for the next load of laundry. Adding the detergent, he closes the lid and starts it.
Leaving the room, he heads back towards the bedrooms. When he returned to Konoha he had taken over the master bedroom as his personal commitment to start over fresh. He first stayed in his own room, but realized he was living too much in the past. Little by little he’s been cleaning out his parents’ and brother’s old stuff. They wouldn’t need those things anymore.
Entering Itachi’s bedroom, he sits down on the floor in front of a bookshelf. He pulls two boxes sitting nearby closer and begins sorting through the items on the shelves. One box is for donation and the other is for storage.
His mind returns to his conversation with Sakura and the disturbing realization she triggered; he may have to win over the Kyuubi as well, not just Naruto. He doesn’t believe for a moment that Naruto easily loses control to the Kyuubi or she would’ve killed him the first time they argued.
That night she broke up with Genma was the exception and he certainly understands why. Naruto has been under a lot of stress and breaking up with loser didn’t help. Conditions were ripe for her to lose control.
He’s honest with himself. Old habits die hard and he’ll likely keep reverting to bad behaviors. Even if he wins Naruto’s heart, there will always be the chance of her slipping into demon cloak mode if the conditions are right. If Kakashi or Yamato isn’t there to stop her it won’t just be him who’s screwed. Any way he looks at it, if he wants to have a future with Naruto, he will have to somehow make amends with the demon because it’s also a possibility the fox may not withhold it’s ire from any children they’ll have since they will be part Uchiha.
Insistent knocking echoes through the house, interrupting his musings. Frowning, he rises to his feet, wondering who would be visiting and hoping it’s not Danzo. He really isn’t in the mood to be dealing with the bastard.
Making his way to the front door, he opens it to see Naruto and Kakashi standing on his doorstep. He notices Naruto is wearing a mask like Kakashi’s, which the perverted part of his mind thinks looks sexy on her. It doesn’t hide the bruising around her eyes, but at least the swelling has gone down since he saw her a couple days ago.
“Hey, teme,” she greets with a predatory gleam in her eyes. “Hope you’re not busy. We got a few things to discuss.”
Nodding, he steps aside, silently inviting them in. Closing the door behind them, he leads them into the kitchen and starts making tea. Taking their cue, Naruto and Kakashi settle onto the stools at the counter.
“I thought you two would be gone longer,” Sasuke comments offhandedly into the tense silence.
“The betting pool is dead, so we came back,” Naruto shrugs. Her gaze becomes flinty. “And I said we’d be talking in a couple of days.”
Sasuke nods as he grabs the kettle off the stove and pours hot water into the teapot on the table in front of them. Setting it back, he returns to the counter. Resting his hands on the counter, he leans forward, holding their gazes.
“I’ve always been single minded,” he quietly states. “Although it narrows my perspective, right or wrong, it leaves little room for doubt. It may have blinded me sometimes, but I have few regrets. Even if my decisions were mistakes, I can live with that than regret never making them.”
He takes a moment to collect his thoughts before speaking again.
“I understand why you’re angry with me.” His eyes lock on Naruto’s as he adds, “I still don’t think I’m wrong for getting involved.” Ignoring her visibly bristling, he continues. “At first I didn’t think you were handling the situation well. Thinking back on it, you handled it a lot better than most people. However, it was clear Genma wasn’t listening to you or accepted it was over. I wasn’t going to stand by while he continued humiliating you.”
Sasuke’s gaze bores into hers.
“I know I was wrong losing my temper. I didn’t think about all the other shit you’ve had to deal with for the last few months, much less the last few days. I should’ve listened to Kakashi because he never gives an order without reason. Even with everything that’s happened between us, being separated for so long, everything we’ve been through and everything you’ve done for me, I should’ve trusted you two. I’m sorry for being an idiot.”
Letting the silence stretch out, Sasuke straightens up and tucks his hands into his pockets out habit. Kakashi watches Naruto absorb his words, choosing to let her speak first when she’s ready.
Neither has to wait much longer when she finally does.
“It’s no secret we’ve always been rivals and I probably wouldn’t have grown as much without it.” A smirk crosses her face. “Although I would’ve been loathed to admit it at times, I valued your opinion above everyone else’s.”
Becoming serious again, she tilts her head forward, holding his gaze.
“You knew I always wanted to become Hokage, to earn everyone’s respect. Whether you like it or not, because you were an Uchiha, especially the last Uchiha, you already had everyone’s respect. It didn’t hurt you excelled in just about everything at the academy and became ‘Rookie of the Year’ for our class,” she rolls her eyes. “It was a huge blow to my ego to get stuck on Team 7 with you, but it turned out better than I thought it’d be.”
“Eventually it mattered more to have you acknowledge me as your comrade, as an equal, than having everyone in the village look on me with reverence. Our rivalry may have seemed petty and childish, but it drove me hard.”
Leaning forward, Naruto rests her forearms on the counter in front of her.
“When you finally acknowledged my strength at the Valley of the End that made me so happy,” she admits with a soft smile before it drops with her gaze to the table. “But you leaving was painful and made it feel like everything I’d done was for nothing. Like all my hard work had gone to waste.”
Sighing in resignation, she looks up at him again.
“I may have been an irritating, temperamental brat, but that was nothing to how short fused I became after that. Did Sakura or anyone ever tell you about what happened on the Tenchi bridge before we saw you again?”
“Yes,” Sasuke replies, finally easing into a stool across from them. “I invited her over for lunch yesterday.”
Naruto nods.
“It was a huge blow when the Akatsuki snatched Gaara and we couldn’t get to him in time. I never felt so useless,” she quietly admits. “I couldn’t save you from yourself and I couldn’t save Gaara. That’s why I lost my temper so easily at Orochimaru’s and his little bitch Kabuto’s goading. Granted the destruction I caused was restricted to a remote area, but I almost killed Sakura.” At Sasuke’s startled look she frowns in confusion. “Didn’t she tell you?”
Recovering somewhat, he shakes his head slowly.
“She didn’t mention it at all.”
“That’s odd,” Naruto muses before dismissing it for now. “Anyway, I nailed Sakura in the arm.” Gazing into his eyes intensely to emphasize her point, she adds, “I could’ve killed her if I hit her head. I could’ve easily killed Yamato and Sai and would’ve never known it. I nearly threw everything away just because I got pissed over something as stupid as Orochimaru’s goading.”
“Seeing you afterwards hurt, but it helped me refocus and continue working harder,” she continues, her gaze becoming determined. “I still needed your acknowledgement as an equal, but only when you became my comrade again. That’s one of the main reasons why I was so determined to bring you home. Selfish, yeah, but far less shallow than just because you’re the last Uchiha and the council didn’t want your eyes falling into the wrong hands.”
Naruto watches Sasuke consider her words before continuing.
“I’m not telling you all this to get you to finally acknowledge me. We can hash that out when the time comes. I’m trying to get it through your thick skull why it was so insulting when you dismissed me as incapable of handling my own shit. It’s like you think I can’t walk and breathe at the same time. It’s infuriating because it means you still see me as weaker than you.”
She sighs heavily.
“Mix in the broken nose and of course things got out of hand fast. It doesn’t take much to set the fox off. Yeah, it’s mellowed out considerably over the years and isn’t trying to break free anymore, but it’s still a demon.”
“Why?” Sasuke interrupts, frowning in confusion. “It can’t be happy being imprisoned.”
Dropping her gaze to the table, Naruto pauses for a few moments in consideration before looking back up.
“The Yondaime was a brilliant seal master and designed my seal to adjust to the ebb and flow of the fox’s chakra to reduce the risk of it breaking out. But the seal evolved. It’s common knowledge to remove the fox would kill me, but now it’d kill the furball too.” Holding Sasuke’s gaze, she adds, “Even if I didn’t convince you to come back to the village and you succeeded in capturing me, the Akatsuki would’ve failed because they would’ve destroyed the fox spirit when they completed the extraction.”
Sasuke sits in stunned silence as the implication sinks in.
“That’s why the fox stopped all efforts to break free and is now more willing to aid me when I need it,” she continues. “I only developed one tail that night, so I knew what was going on, but since I was so pissed it got the demon fired up and chances were really good things would get much worse fast. Aware or not, demon induced rages are not easy to control.”
“My own anger at your interference and callousness aside, the mangy mop was angrier,” Naruto states, crossing her arms, boring into Sasuke’s eyes. “You’ve got too many strikes against you.” Holding up her hand, she begins ticking the points off on her fingers. “You’re an Uchiha. Then there’s our fight at the Valley of the End. Plus, all our subsequent encounters and, to top it all off, the fact you were on a mission to capture me for the Akatsuki.”
Dropping her hand to the countertop she arches a brow at him.
“If Kakashi and Yamato hadn’t acted quickly I would’ve killed you. Even then the fox’s rage would’ve grown. We were in the heart of the village, so it wouldn’t have taken long to destroy everything. That’s why we were so pissed at you. It was so stupidly easy to avoid. As pissed as I was at Genma, I have enough self-control not to lose it so easy. Kakashi ordered you to butt out because it was one of those times we were like oil and water and you just totally ignored it, so the situation ignited.”
Silence envelopes the room again as Naruto and Kakashi wait patiently for Sasuke to absorb her words.
“Admitting being an idiot really doesn’t cover it, does it?” he finally smirks.
“Nope,” Naruto returns his smirk.
Sasuke shakes his head in wonder.
“How in the hell do you put up with all this shit while keeping the demon in check? It’d be so much simpler to just let loose and be done with it.”
“Because I’m so awesome,” Naruto quips. Becoming serious again she shrugs, “It’s not like I had a say when the old dust mop was sealed inside of me. It’s my responsibility to guard it. Otherwise the Yondaime’s sacrifice and the deaths of everyone who fought the demon that night were for nothing.”
“Before learning the seal evolved, weren’t you afraid of it breaking free because obviously you would’ve been the first casualty?”
Sasuke watches her tuck a loose red strand behind her ear while considering his question.
“I never really thought about it,” she finally answers. “For the longest time I was dealing with knowing the reason why so many people hated me for so long and becoming the next Hokage. It helped that unless I sought out the Kyuubi I never had contact with it, so it was easy to forget it was there. I only started fearing that possibility when I went on a long training trip with Ero-sennin after you left. He tried working with me to control the demon cloak, but it didn’t go too well, especially once I got four tails.” Her voice drops low as she adds, “Completely losing yourself within your own mind like that is terrifying.”
Naruto’s voice returns to normal levels as she shrugs.
“It doesn’t scare me now. I’m responsible for keeping the fox secure and know the consequences of losing control.” Her gaze on Sasuke hardens. “That’s why I have to handle things my own way. Partly so I don’t become enraged and lose control and partly out of fear of what would happen if the rest of the village learns the demon can take control of me if enough chakra leaks out.”
“Because they’d kill you,” Sasuke reasons shrewdly.
“They wouldn’t just kill me. That’d be too easy,” Naruto laughs humorlessly. “No, they’d punish me for the fox’s rampage 21 years ago and I’d pay for escaping their wrath for so long.” At his incredulous look she explains, “I heard plenty of threats and promises of retribution over the years. Many creative in the different ways of torture to doubt I’d be paying on that debt good before I died. And it wouldn’t matter if anyone knew the fox doesn’t feel any of my pain.”
“Wait,” Sasuke interrupts, frowning in confusion. “How is it the fox was affected by the paralytic when you were caught in that warehouse explosion?”
“We’re separate physically, but tied systemically through our chakra. So, when I was hit with the paralytic it polluted my chakra, which in turn affected the fox.”
Seeing Sasuke is still confused, she tries explaining it better.
“Drugs and alcohol are little more intangible than taking a fist to the face. Both affect the entire system not just one the physical body. But the villagers who’ve been out for my blood for years wouldn’t get that. They don’t give a shit about me and that I didn’t have a choice in containing the fox. All they know is to get to it, they have to destroy me.” Her voice drops again with her gaze as she adds, “I’ve encountered a lot of scary shit being a shinobi, but nothing terrifies me as much as what would happen if the villagers turn on me.”
“Not if we have anything to do with it,” Sasuke growls, narrowing his eyes.
Naruto’s gaze flicks over to Kakashi who has remained silent the whole time, noting his eye fiercely agrees with Sasuke’s inclusive statement.
“There’d be nothing you or anyone can do to stop it,” she disagrees, shaking her head. “It’s hard for the best ninja to fight against a angry mob thirsting for blood. Not even Baa-chan could stop them and they’d probably kill anyone who tried. Should it come to that, and if I’m lucky, I’ll have enough warning to run. But it’s been my experience small mobs form fast and most of the time I couldn’t escape them.”
“What do you mean?” Sasuke asks, eyeing her.
Naruto blows out a weary breath.
“I’m not recounting every incident. There really weren’t that many. Only a couple and only on my birthday. Anyways, on my seventh birthday a group of about twenty people dragged me to a deserted alley. They got whatever garbage and debris they could find and made a big pile before dumping alcohol and whatever flammable shit they could find on it before lighting it up with a fire jutsu. When the fire was going good they tossed me onto the flames.”
Sasuke stares at her in shock.
“Didn’t you yell and scream for help?”
“Yeah,” Naruto shrugs. “But didn’t make a difference. Anyone who heard me either was too scared to stand up to the mob or they joined in.”
“Then how in the hell did you survive?” Sasuke asks in disbelief.
“An ANBU caught me before I hit the pile. Then the Third made examples of all of them so it was it clear he wasn’t fucking around. Anyone violating his decree would forfeit their lives. Any problems I had later with murderous villagers were rare and on a much smaller scale than that.”
Naruto waits, giving the stunned Uchiha a few moments to process her story.
“I was lucky to have the Third on my side,” she continues fondly with a soft smile before turning serious again. “But I don’t delude myself. There are still quite a few who’d love to see me suffer before I die. And all it’d take is a few fanning the flames just right. That’s why I’m careful how I deal with others. If Genma was a civilian and I beat his ass for cheating on me, guaranteed sooner, not later, I’d have a drunken mob after my ass.”
Blue eyes bore again into black.
“I can’t afford to be aggressive, Sasuke,” she emphasizes. “Especially against civilians. It’s all the justification they’d need to eliminate me once and for all. I’ll defend myself, but it’s a lot easier to just avoid trouble in the first place. So, whether you feel I’m being a pushover and tolerate too much you’ve got to realize I have to handle things my way and stay out of it.”
“How the fuck do you deal with all this shit?” he asks after another lengthy pause.
“Not like I have much choice,” she shrugs before her eyes grow determined. “Despite those bigots I love Konoha and will continue protecting it. But as a Jinchuriki the rules are different for me, so if I don’t want everything to blow up in my face I have to be careful how I handle things.”
Sasuke shakes his head in amazement.
“If we held a contest to see who endured the most drama in their lives, you’d win hands down.”
Both Naruto and Kakashi bust out laughing. He waits for them to calm before continuing.
“I’m sorry for not realizing the full scope of your situation and for being such an ass,” Sasuke apologizes sincerely. “I still can’t make any guarantees, but I promise to at least try not to interfere in your business anymore. You’re not weak, Naruto, but my ego gets in the way sometimes and I forget that. Old habits die hard, but if you’re willing to knock some sense into me when I’m being dense, then I’ll make the effort.”
Naruto grins at him.
“I’m more than happy to oblige, teme. If not Kakashi can always use you as a practice dummy.”
“Or as a test subject for my jutsu,” Kakashi quips, finally speaking up.
“Now you sound like Orochimaru’s little brother.” Sasuke retorts, with an exaggerated shudder.
He struggles to match Kakashi’s fierce glare, but can’t hold it with Naruto nearly falling off her stool laughing her ass off. Giving up, he settles for smiling at his friend. Kakashi joins in fondly watching his favorite redhead struggle to catch her breath, enjoying seeing her laugh after all the shit she endured recently.
After much effort, Naruto finally regains some of her composure.
“Score one for the Uchiha!” she breathlessly declares. “That’s definitely up there with the all time best put-downs.” Grinning at the flat look Kakashi gives her, she adds, “Admittedly, it wouldn’t have been near as good if you hadn’t reacted the way you did.”
Without warning Kakashi grabs her in a headlock and viciously tousles her hair. When he finally releases her, Naruto looks like she’s wearing a red birds nest.
Glaring murderously at her former sensei, Naruto runs her fingers through her hair to smooth it out while simultaneously muttering death threats and curses at him.
“Does this mean you two forgive me?” Sasuke asks.
“As if there were any doubts,” Naruto snorts.
“Our concern was making you understand your culpability in causing Naruto to go into demon cloak mode and why we have to protect her secret,” Kakashi points out. “We understand your motives, but you shouldn’t have ignored our warnings.”
Briefly closing his eyes, Sasuke nods in concession.
“Okay, enough talking about crap that’s already floated away down the river,” Naruto declares. “I want to know the details surrounding your meeting with that decrepit old fart Danzo.”
Accepting this change in topic Sasuke settles onto a stool directly across from them and explains what’s been going on. When he finishes Naruto releases a low whistle.
“Holy shit,” she mutters.
“You did a good job handling Danzo, Sasuke,” Kakashi praises. “You kept him interested without revealing much.”
“No kidding,” Naruto grins. “That was totally awesome. I sure as hell couldn’t have played it so cool with Danzo. Looks like all those years of you being a stuck up, broody, anti-social recalcitrant who liked to hang around with power crazed psychopaths paid off.”
Her grin widens at his glare.
“That wasn’t just a backhanded compliment, Naruto, it was more like sledgehammer to the balls,” Kakashi drolly observes.
Chuckling she attempts soothes Sasuke’s ego.
“C’mon, teme, no one else could’ve pulled it off. You’re gonna be Danzo’s downfall.”
Kakashi nods in agreement and informs Sasuke about Naruto’s theory about the investigation providing a distraction for Danzo.
“Even if we exhaust all leads, we can continue digging around to make Danzo believe we’re onto something and hopefully make him nervous. If not, it will give more credibility to your frustration over our lack of progress.”
“I don’t need much credibility lent to that,” Sasuke mumbles morosely.
Naruto smiles at him warmly.
“Hey, we’ve only just got started and I’m not giving up yet, so you better not give up, teme, or I’ll kick your ass again.”
“You’ve become a little too obsessed with my ass, baka. Is there something I should know about you?” Sasuke asks with an arched brow.
Stunned Naruto’s jaw drops as she gapes at him while Kakashi takes his turn in laughing his ass off.
“It’s finally happened,” she quips in feigned shock. “The teme has finally lost his mind and developed a sense of humor.”
“I always had one, I just didn’t go screaming it at the top of my lungs like you do,” he retorts.
Having regained his composure Kakashi cheerfully admonishes them.
“Play nice.” He pauses to glance up at the clock on the wall. “We should call it a day and meet again tomorrow to pick up where we left off.”
“Yeah,” Naruto agrees. “We neglected it too long.”
Sasuke nods and rises to his feet, prompting them to follow him to the front door.
“Usual time tomorrow?” he asks with a smirk.
“Definitely,” Naruto replies before disappearing out the door.
Kakashi leisurely follows behind, giving Sasuke a brief wave as he steps through the door.
Sasuke spares a few moments to watch their backs before closing the door, his smirk morphing into a satisfied smile.
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