Title: Reunion of Shadows
Author: Lisea18
Rating: T will be M later
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, I'm making no money from writing this

A big thank you to Lady Valtaya who was my Beta for this story!

Author's note: English is not my first language, so please forgive my mistakes.

SPOILERS up to Pein's arc end.

Reunion of Shadows

Not many things could make him tense, but what he was doing now did. Sneaking on a restricted area was never a good idea, even if it was in your own damn village. Maybe it was worse if it was on your own village, because you could be deluded of your beliefs. Who knew what was lurking under the shadows of what was showed to the world… especially in Konoha.

Checking his surroundings, he was surprised not to see any Anbu or ninja. There was nothing but nature here. Any other day he would have found this place peaceful, the wind agreeable as it blew gently, bringing some fresh air to cool down the heat.

Untamed flora lived between the tall trees, forgotten by the busy humans nearby; this place was as unassuming as it was and beautiful. Nestled quietly in the bushes, waited the place called the Tower. In reality, it was nothing of the sort, just a crumbling old shack in the woods that was draped in ivy.

Entering the place was no problem, as the door was barely attached and one would see nothing out of the ordinary, just a handful of weather beaten garden tools. Those entering had to already know there was a trapdoor hidden beneath the worm-eaten floorboards or they would never find it because of the protective jutsu.

Luckily, he knew where to look, because he'd been here once before, while he was still in the Anbu… Getting the trapdoor open wasn't any easier than he remembered, but after almost dropping his beloved pervy book, Kakashi found himself in the huge underground labyrinth of secret tunnels.

He swiftly went down the stairs, masking his chakra signature. He wasn't supposed to be there, being found out would mean a lot of troubles for him… and for the one he was wishing to see. All he could hear was his heart beating steadily; his feet didn't make any sound on the stairs, his breathing imperceptible, only the loud pounding in his ears, a thud only he could hear, it didn't resonate through his chest.

It was one of the more secluded and hidden parts of Konoha. Only the Hokage and the council were allowed. Even the Anbu needed a pass to reach this place. It was extraordinarily clean; the scrolls hanging from the walls were new, the black ink swirling everywhere almost fresh. It only further proved it was very important, even if no one was there to guard. It was strange… to trust scrolls and none human thing to keep this place safe, to prevent the ones locked inside to escape. It meant some secrets were not to be revealed; it meant no-one should talk with the prisoners. That alone was scary… it meant Konoha had something to hide.

He used the shadows to conceal himself and avoid setting the traps, even if he did trigger a few: this place wasn't easily navigated. After wandering this maze for a good hour, he finally reached the right door. A metal one, a window was equipped on it, with mirrored glass.

He could see through it but the man on the other side couldn't see him. He wasn't excepting the sight that greeted him. His long lost student… Sasuke Uchiha, with his wrists pinned to the wall by heavy locks, apart so he couldn't make hand seals, elbow bent. Around each hand were seals, written on the walls and on his chains. He was kneeling on the ground, his feet locked there with other chains and seals. The room was full of traps and scrolls to restrain him. But this was nothing compared to the blindfold on his eyes, where the strongest seal Kakashi had ever seen was drawn, creeping along the wall behind him like an aura.

It was the first time Kakashi had seen his new outfit; the open Yukata in the front, displaying creamy skin, the pants… but no purple bow. Too bad, from Naruto's description, he had wondered if pulling on it meant undressing the Uchiha, he had been wrong.

Damn. Even in this predicament, Sasuke seemed at ease, a smirk gracing his delicate features.

He had risked it all to come here, he had wanted to talk… but now he stood rooted in place, unable to push the door open. He couldn't do anything to help, he had no power. It was selfishness that made him come to see his student… he wanted to ask questions, to have answers. Sasuke was one of his failures but one that was still alive, unlike the others.

"Come in Kakashi," invited Sasuke, as a host would in his house, his silky voice just loud enough to be heard.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kakashi had used all his chakra to distort the dimension and save Chouji… he hoped the kid could warn Tsunade about Pain's capacities. They had lost another great ninja… Chouji's father. He was so damn tired and the remaining Pain was still here and was going to put an end to his life.

He was going to meet them all again… Obito… Rin… Sensei… Jiraiya… ah… maybe he would have an exclusive Icha Icha paradise… good thing.

He wasn't one to close his eyes when facing death, he wanted to see it come and smile. Yet it wasn't death that met his gaze but an Uchiha emblem on white cloth. Obito? (1) Loud chirping could be heard, and electricity blurred his vision. Then a woman was in front of him, opening her vest. Was this paradise? Maybe not… she had been bitten all over. Strange. Obviously she wanted him to add a mark too, it would be impolite to say no to a woman, wouldn't it?

Now that he was healed he could perfectly see who was protecting him, who had jumped in the fight just in time to save him. Sasuke. He hated seeing people's back because it always meant bad things: they were leaving… or dying to protect you. However he had a feeling this back wasn't going to disappear anytime soon. He had came back? But was he friend or foe? Seeing how he and what seemed to be his team were cutting Pain's body into small pieces, he had to be on their side… but then with Sasuke you were never sure.

He had woken up in the hospital, his second home, really. Many were lying beside him, and judging by the number of white clothes covering bodies, many died. Yet, it seemed Pain had been erased. Otherwise most of the ninjas would still be fighting, despite their injuries.

"How dare you! I might be your prisoner but I'm not some medicine you can use as you please! You dirty pink pig!"

Kakashi turned his head to see Sakura dragging a certain Karin around, letting badly injured people bite her just enough not to die.

"Sasuke will make you pay for that," the woman whined.

Obviously it asked a lot of self control from Sakura's part not to beat Karin into a pulp. He couldn't blame her. His eyes roamed around the room, searching for black hair and porcelain skin… A young man Sasuke had referred to as Suigetsu, lay chained to his bed, was making a medic-nin go nuts.

"Stop turning into water! You need this injection!"

"What's inside? I won't let you inject me if I don't know what's in it! You Orochimaru!"

A medic-nin flying and being grabbed just in time by an injured shinobi made him look further to see the one named Juugo loosing his nerves. The sick and doctor teaming up on him to inject him so much sedative it would have killed a herd of horses. It seemed Sasuke had chosen a weird group.

"And he said I was annoying," muttered a cheerful voice. Naruto's.

The blond was covered in bandages but a huge grin adorned his features. No doubt it was Sasuke's returned that made it possible for him to smile… his eyes looked dead tired… too many had died, but as usual he clung to hope rather than despair.

"Glad you're well Kakashi-sensei," added Naruto, "it was a tough battle… thank God Sasuke came."

Kakashi sighed. Naruto looked troubled; no doubt it had to do with the Uchiha. No need to push, he would know soon enough where the brat was. He had a feeling the council had imprisoned him somewhere, as it should be. Even if he had helped, he was still a missing nin and had to be treated as such until they were sure he was with them again. As soon as his team were healed they would be locked up too.

"Tsunade is angry because the old geezers put him in the… the… er… tower or something, she said they were overreacting, and they didn't even heal him properly… what's the tower thing Kakashi-sensei?"

They had put him where? How strange… why cut him from everyone? It sounded fishy. Especially since they went against Tsunade for such a minor thing… what were they hiding? No need to worry Naruto more than he was already.

"Our best prison, they want to be sure he's not escaping again."

It made Naruto laugh awkwardly, scratching his head.

"You seem to have been of help too, Naruto, I'm glad the message frog reached you in time," he praised, trying to make his student forget about his friend for the moment.

"Huh? What frog?" asked Naruto, puzzled.

If the frog hadn't reached him… it had been stopped- but who would do it? And why? Danzou? Tsunade was always wary of him. He had a feeling the council had something to hide. As soon as he could he snuck out of the hospital, using the pretence that he would recover better at home and that other people needed the bed. No one argued.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

He pushed the door and entered the room, coming to crouch in front of Sasuke. They hadn't cured his injuries but the blood had long since dried. He didn't know what to do; it was rare for him to be at a loss like that. It had been so long since he had seen the young man… he hadn't been part of the retrieving team.

"Having some doubts about Konoha, sensei?" asked a silky voice, the last word dripping sarcasm.

Kakashi felt a shiver but concealed it. You could see Sasuke had been Orochimaru's student; he seemed so in control even in this situation, as if he was always one step ahead of you. His aura had changed too, but not as much as expected. It was darker, stronger… with more suffering too… yet, Sasuke was still nice, as he had always been in his own way.

"What do you know Sasuke?" questioned the jounin.

"You never came for me, Konoha was never a home for my kind, you're all the same, using people but pretending otherwise"

Kakashi frowned. What should he answer first; the personal accusation or the line thrown about Konoha? He pondered a moment, wondering what would satisfy the Uchiha. The information he would gain depended on how he approached the teen. The jab about him not having being here hurt, it was right on the mark: he still felt guilty. Not one to delve into such matters lightly, he chose the reason that had first brought him here.

"Ninjas are tools Sasuke, Konoha is no different from other village," he carefully answered.

The dark haired teen tilted his head to the side, a small smirk playing on his lips. Once again he seemed so much older than he truly was. He always had. He must have been innocent once… but, at seven he had been stripped of almost everything that kept him a child. Kakashi had never known him as child, because of his clan, of his father ignoring him and having a genius as a brother. He didn't play but trained, he was calm and collected whatever the situation, so unlike other children.

"So you choose Konoha? Not at ease with personal subject, sensei? As you wish. You are a liar, our village prides itself on being different, we are known for valuing life, we are the nice fluffy village, aren't we?"

The sarcasm wasn't lost on gray-haired man.

"We all have flaws, Sasuke…"

His lips thinned and Kakashi grinned behind his mask, even if his student couldn't see it, he knew he felt it. The brat was way too early to be able to win, well not without a good fight first.

"Tell me, what are Konoha's? What did they do to make you so resentful?" pushed Kakashi, using this opportunity to turn the tables.

He flinched as he saw the hatred radiate from his former student. His fists were clenched so tight his nails had to be biting into his skin. His jaw was set firmly and he was sure his eyes were blazing, the Sharingan twirling. To draw such a reaction out of the ice teen… only Itachi could…

"You taught us to look underneath the underneath but you don't do it either, do you? Did you really not see it? I have a hard time believing that, sensei."

Kakashi hung is head low; Sasuke had respected him. He still did, it seemed, yet he hadn't been able to prevent him from leaving for Orochimaru. What hadn't he seen that he should have? Was Sasuke reproaching him not to have noticed Itachi going mad? No… it couldn't be that, Sasuke blamed only himself for that.

"Enlighten me?"

"My clan was said to be far too prideful, to think themselves above anyone else. It is partly true, I have to admit it. But haven't you ever wondered how it turned out like that? Many were jealous of the Uchiha's power; whatever you do they feel beneath you and hate you for it. If you are nice they think it's pity."

He was so right it hurt. It was the same for Sasuke; people didn't understand him and felt jealous of him, not seeing his suffering, not trying to know him before judging him. They, themselves, put the distance between Sasuke and them. People had excluded Sasuke, thinking he was so much better than them, whispering about him. They looked at him from a distance. How many times had he heard people say the Uchiha thought highly of himself? They were mistaken… and it was one of the reasons he had left Konoha.

Sasuke had never believed in himself. He felt unworthy, weak, pathetic. No wonder since he aimed for Itachi… and the latter had clearly told him he wasn't even worth killing. Even if you explained that, people would still say he had been reading too much Icha Icha paradise… but he had seen proof. First with Haku, he had trained so hard to be able to improve, then the fight against Lee, Sasuke had lost, badly… yet, he hadn't reacted as if his dignity had been crumpled. He had been angry at been so weak, even as Naruto rubbed it in his face, he hadn't pulled out a shitty explanation, yelled, pouted or whatever. He had simply taken it upon himself and looked forward to the Chuunin exam, forward to getting stronger. But then… when he had seen how Naruto improved so fast, while he sort of stagnated, he had lost it. Like he had said to Sasuke after his fight with Naruto on the hospital roof, the teen suffered from an inferiority complex (2). He needed to be strong and that desperation had sent him straight to Orochimaru.

"Whatever you do, it's never enough- people won't be pleased. My quest for revenge is frowned upon, even though it's necessary for the village, and then if I hadn't, people would've whispered that I didn't care about my family, that I was a wimp."

"Where are you going with this, Sasuke? Don't put all the blame on Konoha, your clan became secretive and whispered between themselves too."

A feral smirked graced the teen's lips and Kakashi took a step back. He had grown stronger… so much stronger! Even restrained you had the feeling he could break your neck in the blink of an eye.

"Then tell me Kakashi, did Obito Uchiha really give you his eye or where you ordered to kill him and you took a prize?"

-To be continued-

(1) In Japan white is the colour you wear for burial (even if in the manga, they are dressed in black, usually white is the colour of the dead)

(2) In the manga he says "superiority complex", I understood it like this: Sasuke want to be superior, but don't feel he is, that's why he tries to beat Naruto. Lady Valtaya and I thought it would sound like Kakashi was contradicting himself if I put it like that, so we choose to explain.

It would be really nice to review! It's my first KakaSasu and well reviews are what keeps me going!