Sasusaku chapter 6

Sasusaku chap 6
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 6

“Now, Sasuke, there are questions I need you to answer.” Tsunade stated, now sitting at her desk.

Sasuke looked up from watching Sakura and nodded.

“What did you do after you killed Orochimaru?” She asked.

“I gathered a team that I had been planning on gathering since I met them all.”

“Who are they?” Naruto asked, slightly hurt that Sasuke had chosen them over him and Sakura.

“Juugo, Karin, and Suigetsu.”

Naruto nodded and continued to stare out of the window, sitting in a chair next to the couch Sakura was sleeping on.

“Where are they now?” Tsunade asked.

“Karin and Suigetsu went their own ways when I said I was coming back here…”

“Juugo?” Shizune asked, “What about him?”

“He came with Sakura and me. He… he’s the origin of the cursed seal.” Sasuke said, looking at the Hokage, “He needs your help. He doesn’t want to kill anyone but he can’t control himself.”

Tsunade nodded. “Where is he now?”

“When Sakura stopped breathing, I had to get here quickly, so I had to leave him. I said I’d come back when everything was cleared up.”

“Alright, you can go.”

Sasuke nodded and stood up, heading for the door. He took one last glance at Sakura before opening the door.

“Teme.” Naruto muttered. “You better come back.”

“Dobe.” Sasuke muttered and closed the door behind him. He sighed and shook his head. ‘Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t leave again.’ He thought sadly.

“I love you with all of my heart!”

Sakura’s tearful face flashed before his eyes. Why was he remembering that of all things? ‘I can’t be holding onto bonds. I have to kill Itachi.’ He thought forcefully. ‘I’ll get the information I need here, and I’ll go after him.’

“I may have grown up without a family… but you’re the closest thing I have ever had to a brother!”

Sasuke shook his head and walked at a brisk pace through the Hokage tower. ‘Damnit!’ He closed his eyes tightly, reaching the front doors. ‘I can’t be… I can’t… emotions will make me weak… I should just leave with Juugo.’

“I missed you so much… do you mean it? Are you really coming home?”

‘Why must she have such an affect on me?’ Sasuke asked himself, his eyes still closed. He couldn’t do it. Something within him told him he had to stay.

You can still avenge your clan and have happiness. Don’t push away what family you have.

His mind seemed to repeat that over and over again. Stay… It echoed.

”Live in the most despicable way, little brother.”

‘Itachi!’ Sasuke shouted in his head. He clenched his fists and disappeared in a swirl of cloud. ‘I won’t do as you say. I will live and kill you my own way.’

He appeared in front of Juugo, an angry expression on his face. He didn’t like it at all. He hated the fact that Sakura and Naruto had such an affect on him. He hated the fact that he had found Sakura and came back to Konoha. Sure, he was glad he did find her and got her out of there, but this was all so annoying.

“Is she ok, Sasuke?” Juugo asked quietly from the branches. He was sitting casually, a small bird on his hand, staring at the clouds. He always seemed to calm.

“Yeah, she’s sleeping.” Sasuke ground out. Glaring at the ground, clenching his fist.

“You want to leave.” Juugo stated.

Sasuke’s gaze shot up at him, surprised.

“You want to leave, but you can’t; you don’t want to do what Itachi told you to do.”

“How do you know?” He asked quietly.

Juugo smiled lightly. “I’ve been with you long enough to know you hate your brother; you won’t do what he says… that’s why you didn’t kill that Kyuubi kid, isn’t it? It’s obvious you’ll end up staying here.”

Sasuke shook his head and looked to the ground, staring at his hand. He looked back up at Juugo. “Lets just go. Before I do something stupid…”

Juugo nodded and jumped from the tree, the small bird chirped before flying away quickly, joining the flock that flew randomly in the sky. Both, Juugo and Sasuke, watched the bird, feeling calm. Then, they disappeared in a swirl of cloud.

s-S-s

Naruto let out a small sigh of relief from his position on the floor when Sasuke returned. A part of him thought he wouldn’t come back, that he just brought Sakura back and left again. But, that part of him was wrong, he came back, like he said. ‘Maybe something more happened between them,’ He thought, ‘Sakura’s changed him somehow…’

“You must be Juugo.” Tsunade stated when she finally came over the shock of how big he was. “I understand you have mental instability. Tell me about that.”

Juugo looked out the window, a distant look in his eyes. “I don’t know when it started… but it seems that if I’m around a lot of people, or am isolated, I feel the need to kill. I… can’t explain it.” He said in a hushed voice, his eyes landing on Sakura. “It seems as if I lose myself; like another part of me decides when he is going to take over. I have no control.”

Tsunade nodded and closed her eyes. Her elbows rested on her desk and her hands were folded under her chin. ‘It could be a severe case of Schizophrenia. But it has to do with the cursed seal.’ She thought. ‘This could be a whole different case…’

She opened her eyes and looked at Juugo, studying him. “Do you remember anything from before you were with Orochimaru?”

“No.” He said quietly, looking at the ground. “I just remember waking up in a bed. I was strapped to it, and some guy with glasses was doing tests.”

Tsunade nodded. “Ok. I came up with two – no, one option. It could be a severe case of Schizophrenia. But, this is the cursed seal. Sasuke said you were the origin of it?”

“Yes. So I’ve been told.”

“Alright… before we try anything, I will have to observe you. I’ll need to see you lose control… Is that alright?”

Juugo’s eyes widened. “Wh – what?”

“I’ll need to see exactly what happens. It could be that you were the first person Orochimaru tested the cursed seal on. Therefore, you could have had memory loss.” Tsunade stated. “It hink that it was the incomplete version, thus, giving you a split personality and the need to kill.”

“I see…”

“That makes sense, Tsunade-sama.” Shizune put in. “It could be the after affects of the seal.”

Tsunade nodded. “Exactly.”

“I – I don’t know how to lose control though… it just happens.” Juugo muttered, looking down at the floor.

“We can help you there, Juugo. And don’t worry. We won’t do anything like Orochimaru did. I will do everything I can to right his wrong.” She said sinserely, smiling slightly. She turned to look at Sakura. “Sasuke. I still have some questions for you.”

Sasuke nodded and glanced at Sakura quickly. She was still sleeping, a calm and tired look on her face. Tsunade turned to look at him and nodded at his response. She glanced at Naruto, knowing no one was supposed to be in a room while an interrogation was taking place, but she doubled she’d ever be able to get Naruto to leave. And she didn’t want to move Sakura; considering what she’s been tough. She didn’t want to wake her up.

“Alright, what kind of experiments did Orochimaru perform?” She asked sternly. “What did he use to test them on?”

Sasuke looked to the ground, and an angered look adorned his face. “He used people.”  He said through clenched teeth. “He usually performed jutsu’s that he discovered to test their capability… or various poisins Kabuto made.”

“That bastard!” Naruto yelled, causing Sakura to stir. She groaned softly, and her eyes squinted.

“N – Naruto… Kakashi… sensei…” She whispered, a pained expression wound its way to her face. She groaned and everyone was at her side. Kakashi had put his book back in his pouch and watched from where he was leaning against the wall.

“Sakura, honey?” Tsunade asked quietly, rushing over and placing a green, glowing hand on her forehead. Sakura’s face relaxed, and she began to open her eyes.

“Thank goodness…” Shizune smiled, placing her hand on Sakura’s cheek.

Sakura blinked a few times, clearing her vision, before her eyes locked on Naruto. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she looked at everyone else in the room. Her eyes landed on Sasuke and she smiled lightly, thanking him for saving her life, again. He nodded and smirked.

Naruto grinned broadly, and before he could help himself, gathered her into his arms. “I’m sorry I didn’t try to find you! That would be Baa-chan’s fault. And you brought back Teme!” He paused, and tightened his hold on her. “I’m sorry I didn’t fulfill my promise…”

“Naruto…” Sakura whispered, “That doesn’t matter anymore.” Her voice cracked. “We’re all back… we’re a team again…”

Kakashi decided now was the time, so he ruffled her hair with his hand, smiling under his mask; his one visible eye the evidence of that. “Kakashi-sensei…” She muttered. She broke away from Naruto’s grasp and hugged him tightly, crying into his jounin vest. “I – I killed him…”

Kakashi looked down at her and smiled. He rubbed her back and placed his other hand on her head, ruffling her hair in the process. “You did what you had to, Sakura. If you didn’t, me or Naruto would have done it anyways.” He spoke to her softly.

Sasuke watched in confusion. Sakura and Kakashi were never this close before. Naruto noticed and grinned, walking over to him. “Her dad is always on missions, earning money for her mom. Kakashi-sensei is like her ‘fill-in’ dad.”

“What’s wrong with her mom?”

Naruto shook his head. “Ask her. She’ll tell you when she wants to.”

“Kakashi, how’s mom?” Sakure asked, looking up at him.

“She’s ok. If anything, she’s getting stronger.” He smiled.

Sakura sighed and sank to her knees. “I lost her locket… It was stolen… Dad is going to be mad… again…”

“It’s ok, Sakura. He was worried for you, he won’t care for the locket; all that matters is that you’re home.” Tsunade said finally, kneeling next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“I wan’t to see my mom.” She said quietly, looking at the floor. “Please.”

Tsunade nodded. “Of course. She’s making progress, Sakura, so don’t worry too much.”

Nodding, Sakura allowed Tsunade to help her to her feet. She looked around the room, and her eyes landed on Sasuke again; he and Naruto were talking. ‘He’s asking about my mom.’

Naruto looked over to her, a questioning look on his face. She understood and nodded. She then looked at Tsunade and smiled. “You can tell him while I’m gone, if you want.” She whispered.

Tsunade nodded. “Shizune, would you take her? I’ve still got questions to ask Sasuke.”

“Of course!” She replied, placing a hand on Sakura’s shoulder, leading her to the door. Once gone, Tsunade walked back to her desk and sat down.

“What happened to her mother?” Sasuke couldn’t help but ask.

s-S-s

“Mom?” Sakura’s voice broke as she walked into the hospital room. Tears had made their way to her eyes and she smiled.

“Sakura-chan! You’re ok!” Her mother cried, turning her head to face her daughter.

Sakura nodded and walked over to her bed, laying down next to her and hugging her mother. “I’m sorry… I took that mission so that I could make more money for you… I thought I could handle it, but I couldn’t.” She started sobbing. “I was so scared, mom!”

Mrs. Haruno hugged her daughter as tight as her weak body allowed, rubbing her back in soothing circles. “It’s ok, honey. You’re here and that’s all that matters! I’m going to make a full recovery, as Tsunade-sama says… so don’t worry about it. Just stay home for a while and rest.”

“But… you’ll be paralyzed…”

“That doesn’t matter to me. I don’t want you to risk your life for me.”

Sakura nodded and snuggled into her mothers’ side. “I lost your locket…” She mumbled quietly. “I hid my pack before I was captured… it was gone when I was saved. I’m so sorry mom, I know how much it meant to you…”

“Don’t worry about things like that! You can’t be replaced! I’m just glad to have you here, in my arms, Sakura.”

Sakura choked a sob and cried her heart out. “I won’t leave you again…” She whispered.

Mrs. Haruno smiled and rested her head on her daughters’. She began to hum a lullaby, calming Sakura. Her tears stopped, and she began to feel tired, laying on her mom. “Who saved you, Sakura? I would like to thank them.”

“Uchiha Sasuke…” Sakura mumbled tiredly. “He’s back… I brought him back.”

“I’m so happy for you, Sakura! When he is done being questioned, I would like to see him.” She looked at Shizune who nodded, and left the room.

Sakura lifted her head up. “How did you know he was being questioned?”

She smiled. “I’m not that ignorant. He was with Orochimaru and a missing nin for a while, of course Tsunade-sama would want to question him.”

“I underestimated you, mom.” Sakura whispered quietly.

“What happened to you, sweetie? Please, I want to know…”

Sakura stifened and she shook her head vigorously. “N – no… I don’t want you to know… please, understand, mom.”

“Honey, I have a right to know what happened to my own daughter.” She said sternly, tightening her hold. “If you won’t tell me, I will ask Kakashi-san. Or Sasuke.”

“Please, mom…” Sakura whispered. “It would put too much stress on you.”

“I don’t care.” She hissed. “I want to – no, I need to know what happened to you. Sakura, at least tell me who did it.”

Sakura hesitantly nodded. “Well, my mission was to rescue girls who were, slaves, as you could put it, for this Lord. And then kill him.”

Mrs. Haruno nodded. “Go on, honey.”

“W – well, you remember Sai?” She nodded. “H – he was ordered by Danzo to stop my mission… he captured me and held me unconscious…”

“Sai?! That weird one on your team?!” She hissed angrily.

Sakura nodded. “I – I killed him, mom. I didn’t mean to, it just – it just happened…”

“Who is Danzo?” Mrs. Haruno asked.

“He’s Konoha’s military leader. He wants the title of Hokage so he can govern Konoha as he sees fit.”

“So he used you to get to the Hokage?” She asked quietly.

Sakura nodded slowly and closed her eyes. She let out a long sigh and het her mind become blank, welcoming sleep to overcome her. She could feel her mothers’ soft breathing beneath her head, her chest humming with the lulliby, and her fingers combing through her hair. ‘I’m home…’ She thought. ‘I’m never going to leave again…’

s-S-s

Tsunade sighed exasperatedly. “When am I going to get to question you without interuptions?” She asked.

Sasuke continued to stare at the Hokage, not answering her question. “If you don’t tell  him, Baa-chan, I will.” Naruto stated quietly.

Tsunade glared at the boy. “I’m her doctor, I’ll explain.” Naruto nodded, and sat on the floor, looking glum. Sasuke watched him as he crossed his arms and closed his eyes, a sad expression on his face. He turned to Tsunade when she spoke. “Ami Haruno was poisoned.”

“It was when me, Sakura, and Kakashi-sensei went on the mission to save Gaara. We came home and Sakura found her mom. She was still alive, but unconsious. Her father was on a mission with the ANBU; he wasn’t home at the time.” Naruto said.

Tsunade nodded. “We still don’t know who or what did it. But, she’s stable now, and it seems that the poison is leaving her body.”

“The only thing is… she’s paralyzed.” Kakashi added, stepping beside Sasuke.

“She has no control of her body below the waist. She will be in a wheel chair for the rest of her life.” Tsunade closed her eyes and sighed. “Sakura has taken this pretty hard. Her mission was supposed to get her enough money so she could buy some herbs grown in Suna. She thinks she had figured out an antidote for the poison, and we are not able to grow that particular herd here. It is extremely hard to grow and expensive.”

Sasuke nodded. “What is the poison doing to her body?”

“It’s killing nerve cells. We weren’t able to find a point of injection, but seeing as how it is most concentrated in her lower body, maybe her foot or something.”

“This is probably killing Sakura-chan. She loved her mother so much.” Naruto stated quietly, standing up, he looked towards the door as Shizune walked in.

“Sasuke, Mrs. Haruno wishes to see you…”

“It’ll have to wait.” Tsunade said, “I am questioning him now. It’ll take five minutes at the most.”

Sasuke nodded and looked out the window, listening and answering Tsunade’s questions. “Ok, how many shinobi did Orochimaru have?”

“I can’t say. He had so many bases that I don’t know the exact number. There are many though, at the most the equivalent of konoha.” Sasuke answered.

Tsunade wrote it down, frowning. “How did Kabuto react to Orochimaru’s death?”

Sasuke shook his head. “I don’t know. I walked away. I didn’t wait for his reaction.”

“What did Orochimaru do when you first got there three years ago?”

“He talked to me about the cursed seal and started training me. We made a deal. I didn’t care if he took over my body, as long as he killed Itachi.”

“Were you mentally retarded?!” Naruto screamed at him, “Were you that bent on power that you’d let him take your body?!”

Sasuke glared at him and continued. “He trained me in taijutsu, chakra control, ninjutsu, genjutsu… and I trained by myself, perfecting the sharingan. I realised that I had surpassed him, so when he attempted to take over my body, I killed him.”

Tsunade smiled. “It seems all of our students are surpassing us, huh, Jiraiya?”

“Yes. The next Sannin.” He said from outside the window, where he always was.

“Pervy Sage! You were there the whole time?!” Naruto yelled, pointing a finger at the window. At that moment, Jiraiya jumped into the room and hit Naruto over the head.

“I told you to stop calling me that! Not in front of others!”

“It’s true though!” Naruto defended, rubbing his head and glaring.

“Ok, Sasuke, that is all for now.” Tsunade said, smiling.

Sasuke nodded and looked at Shizune who placed a hand on his shoulder. “Come, Ami wishes to see you.”

“Where’s Sakura?” He asked, walking out of the room with her.

Shizune smiled. “Oh, she’s with her mom still. Just sleeping.”

Sasuke nodded. “Why does she want to see me?”

“To thank you, I suppose.” She answered. “She miscaraged a few years ago, and loves Sakura more than anything.”

Sasuke smiled, ‘Just like my mom.’ He thought.

s-S-s

Shizune led Sasuke through the hospital, stopping in front of a door that humming was coming from. She smiled at Sasuke and gestured him to go in, and started to walk down the halls, back to the hokage’s office.

Sasuke opened the door quietly, and stepped in. The humming stopped and he turned around, looking at Sakura laying on her mom’s chest, and sleeping. “Uchiha Sasuke?” She asked barely a whisper. He nodded and walked over to the bed, standing over her.

“You saved my daughters’ life… thank you.”

Sasuke nodded and sat down. “I don’t know how to repay you… she means the world to me. She’s the only child I have left, and I’d die if I lost her.” Mrs. Haruno confided in him. Sasuke stayed silent, staring at Sakura.

“Sasuke, can I ask you something?” She asked after a while. “What happened to her? Sakura won’t tell me.”

Sasuke turned his gaze to her. “I don’t know if I should, Haruno-san. She must have her reasons.”

“She said I’m too weak to handle it. That it’ll be too stressful.”

Sasuke nodded. “I agree with her.” He said quietly.

“Please. Just briefly explain to me. I don’t need the details, I just need to know what my daughter went through. So I can help her.”

Sasuke stared at her for a while. He looked right into her tired, hazel eyes. He nodded, and spoke in a hushed whisper. “She was captured after she came up with a plan to complete the mission. It would have worked if Sai hadn’t interfered. He drained her chakra, so that she couldn’t fight back.”

“She said that she was kept unconsious. How?”

“A drug… that almost killed her. I got her here in time.” Sasuke answered, watching as she clutched Sakura to her tighter.

“Thank you, Sasuke, dear.” She whispered and kissed Sakura’s forehead. Sasuke almost smiled. She reminded him so much of his mother, the way she held Sakura close to her, and kissed her.

Sasuke looked out of the window, and leaned back in the chair. ‘Sakura will probably be mad that I told her…’ He thought with a sigh.

“Do you need somewhere to stay, Sasuke?” She asked suddenly.

Sasuke nodded.

“Would you like to stay at our house? I’m sure Sakura wouldn’t mind, and we have room. My husband is hardly home… because of me… but he would be glad to let you stay.”

Sasuke shook his head. “No, it’s fine.”

She nodded. “Alright. But if you ever do… you know where to go.”

Sasuke nodded and stood up. He walked to the door and looked over his shoulder when she called his name. “You probably know, but she loves you, Sasuke. She keeps mumbling your name in her sleep. Just… don’t hurt her. Me in this condition is already doing that, but, heartbreak isn’t what she needs.”

Sasuke smirked when he looked away. “I understand.” He said quietly, and shut the door behind him. He leaned against the wall and looked to the ceiling. He smiled lightly. ‘Sakura… how can you love me after all this time?’ He asked, and listened to Mrs. Haruno hum to her daughter.