Uchiha Sasuke Saga

* * * * *

At the gates of Konoha-----

"Well, I will be blunt. By rights, you should have been in prison right now. But we have heard your plea and all your actions up to now have been pardoned. Breaking the jutsu of the Infinite Tsukuyomi played a big part in the decision. As well as the fact that I became the Sixth Hokage, and that Naruto, the key figure in ending the war, testified on your behalf. Don't forget that. And please don't get too reckless. Otherwise, I'll be held responsible."

Kakashi explained to Sasuke, who was recently released from prison, following his attempts of joining the Akatsuki and attacking the Five Kage Summit.

Sasuke simply replied back with a firm statement, "Understood. Thank you."

"Must you really go? The artificial arm that Lady Tsunade is creating from Lord Hashirama's cells will soon....." As Sakura tried to convince Sasuke, he quickly intercepted, "I need time to understand my feelings. How I should view the Shinobi World, this World. Perhaps I'll be able to see things I couldn't see before. Things that can't be seen unless I do this. Also, there's something I'm worried about."

Sakura started blushing and she inquired softly, "What if I said.....I'd go with you?" She glanced up at Sasuke with her green eyes, awaiting his answer.

However, Sasuke simply closed his eyes and sighed as he sighed, "This is a trip to atone for my sins. My sins have nothing to do with you."

Sakura's head dropped instantly when she heard Sasuke's cold reply.

Nothing to do with me....?

However, almost concurrently, she felt a poke on her forehead and looked up to find Sasuke smiling at her.

"Maybe next time. Thank you(Arigato)"

Sakura's face instantly turned red and she could only stare longingly as Sasuke started walking away from the village, her heart filled with hope that he would eventually return.

- - - - -

As Sasuke slowly advanced into the forest, he turned his head to find Naruto propped up against a tree.

"I didn't think you'd come to see me off."

Naruto simply reached out his hand and a single word escaped from his mouth.

"Here."

Sasuke glanced down at the item Naruto was holding and was shocked for an instant. "You kept that thing?"

As Sasuke looked at the missing arm of Naruto, he could not help but feel guilt overwhelm him.

You sacrificed your arm to stop me.

Thanks to you, I found Salvation.

Once, all we did was clash with each other. But now we share each other's pain.

I came to the conclusion, that this sharing of pain can perhaps be applied to something much bigger than just us.

But I can't do things like you. Things don't go that smoothly, as you and I know more than anyone else.....

The bigger something is,-

The harder.

Sasuke reached out his hand as he received the forehead protector he had discarded away long ago.

"I'm returning this."

"I'll hang on to it....."

".....until our real match."

To keep enduring, no matter what, until things come to pass,-... ...

And for we who must endure...

Perhaps that's what it means...

To be a ninja.