(Two hours later)
She stood beside his door unable to go in. The Anbu were going to take him to his cell soon because he was healed enough. At least until Kakashi straightened everything out trying to get leniency for helping to defeat Maddara.
“Sakura.” She turned to see Ino walking down the hall looking, as always… perfect.
“Hi.” She stood straight trying to look like she was just hanging around for no reason. She noticed Ino holding a bouquet of flowers. “Are those for Sasuke?”
Ino blushed slightly. “Yeah I thought maybe they would help him feel better. My mom thinks they’re for Naruto.”
Sakura laughed bitterly. “Go ahead.” Usually this was where her competitive streak kicked in, but right now she didn’t care. She opened the door to his room where three Anbu stood they turned to them and nodded seeing who it was. Ino looked stunned but then went right in. Sakura closed the door.
Realizing she wasn’t ready she walked down the hall to go home. She was different, he wasn’t the center of her life…not anymore.
(Two days later)
Naruto spun his arm testing his joints as Iruka looked on smiling. “Alright I can finally go home!” His smile was bright as always.
“So, Ichi Rakku Ramen?” Iruka suggested.
“Oh yeah!” Naruto agreed zipping up his jacket.
As they walked he began thinking of his friends. “So, are you going to have pork or beef?” Iruka asked.
“Mm? Oh… sorry Iruka sensei um….pork.” He sat down.
“Hey Naruto my favorite customer. Who would have guessed you would be so famous now…hey? It’s everything you’ve always wanted.” Teuchi commented grinning.
“Yep.” Naruto smiled back as he placed a bowl of ramen in front of him.
“Hey Naruto.”
Naruto turned. “Hey Shino how’s it going?”
His strange friend sat down beside him with his hands stiffly out on the counter. “Everything is fine.”
Naruto finished his bowl in record time. “So what’s up Shino you hate ramen.”
In his usually casual tone Shino said. “Neji is throwing a small party in celebration of your victory. I was sent to invite you.”
“A party….” His eyes went wide. “For me?”
“A wonderful idea.” Iruka said slapping Naruto on the back. “Sounds like fun.”
Shino turned to him. “Sorry sensei it’s for the old gang only.”
“Oh.” Iruka slumped.
But then he remembered it wasn‘t just him that defeated Maddara. “Wait. What about Sasuke? If it wasn’t for him I couldn’t have won. We did it together.” He remembered the way they fought side by side just like old times but somehow even better.
Iruka spoke up. “Naruto, he‘s still in a cell. I‘m not sure even Kakashi can get him out of trouble for all the things he's done.”
“You‘re right Iruka sensei.” He stood up. “Alright! Let’s go!” He shouted sounding more like his old self.
“It doesn’t start until sunset.” Shino interrupted Naruto’s cheers. “The Hyuga Complex.”
“Oh, ok. See you there!” He wondered as Shino left, if Hinata would be there.
(The Hokage’s office.)
“How can you ask us to forgive everything he’s done?!” Utatane asked heatedly.
Kakashi stood straight with his hands in his pocket but the intensity in his right eye made everyone in the room nervous. Except for Tsunade which shared his position, despite everything she saw the mistakes made on both sides. “After everything you and the rest of the council helped to put him through, I think you owe him that much.” Kakashi’s voice remained allof but firm.
“How dare you! We are the council. Show some respect!” Mitokado said sternly but Kakashi met his gaze with level and cool tone.
“You worked with Danzo and helped in the butcher of an entire clan and you stand there and tell me that I should show respect? Then you help to cover everything up and betrayed Lord third on countless occasions...”
“Enough!” Tsunade interrupted seeing the arguments were getting nowhere. Sitting forward at her desk she had to take into consideration not only the village’s safety but also the relations to other villages and the problems that pardoning Sasuke could bring. Then there was the sound village who considered Sasuke apart of them. Of course she also wasn’t sure she trusted Sasuke, he was still full of bitterness, if he decided to destroy the village only Naruto would be powerful enough to stop him. Then there was Naruto and Sakura. Poor Sakura, her best student. She would surpass her one day, Sasuke was very precious to her, as was Naruto. “I will talk to him myself and make my decision.” She stood up fixing everyone in her gaze. “Dismissed.”
“But, you can’t be seriously..” Utatane began again.
“I am still Hokage and it is my decision.” Tsunade insisted coldly.
“Lady Hokage.“ Kakashi bowed his head in respect and left and after a few moments of the two old advisors of the third Hokage glaring and sputtering futile arguments they left as well.
