Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 5: All The Chips On The Table

Sasuke's finger tips trailed over his family's crest. Today was the trial, make it or break it. Win or lose it all. His fingers clenched around his shirt he was holding; he was definitely going to win. Slipping the shirt on it completed his attire. Casting a look around the hospital room where he had spent his last three weeks, he noticed the vase by his bedside table. It had remained empty; no fresh flowers. No cheery bright eyed, pink haired girl slicing fruit by his bed. Raking his fingers through his spiky dark blue hair he let out a long breath. No, those days were over.

"Sasuke..." Naruto's voiced called to him from the doorway.

Turning, he noted the two flanked ANBU on both sides of the Naruto.

"It's time," Naruto's blue eyes had the gaze of concern.

"Hmph.." Sasuke was escorted by his best friend and the ANBU to the Hokage Tower.

The floor below the Hokage's office was the trial and meeting room. Everything would be decided there. It was a plain room, save for some unscrolled parchment with sayings on them placed on the wall for decoration. Wooden chairs placed below the pedestal he would sit on, and the adjourning grander tables placed on the right and left for the higher-ups.

The room was already full, and the moment he walked in, whispers and murmurs started almost immediately. He bristled as he saw the Elders sitting next to the Hokage. He sat on the pedestal he was directed to while Naruto slipped down beside Sai (his replacement) and Sakura. He hadn't seen her in two years, she had grown into a beautiful woman. The most beautiful he's ever seen. Sakura paid him no heed, quietly talking to the Yamanaka girl behind her. Tearing his eyes from Sakura's flawless face, he focused on the one asking questions.

"Sasuke Uchiha, you are found guilty of treason, becoming a S-ranked missing nin and a wanted international criminal," Surprisingly, his questioner was none other than Iruka-sensei. It brought back faint academy memories, he pushed them down.

His former sensei continued, "Your team will take turns on the stand, but you will plead your case first."

Sasuke wasted no time, "The only reason I returned is to get revenge."

Tension built in the room like a wildfire, shinobi's flinched toward the weapons tucked securely in their pouches.

"Why?" Iruka questioned again.

"The Elders, Homura and Koharu are guilty of forcing my brother to murder the Uchiha clan." More murmurs, some gasps.

Sakura's lips trembled, it couldn't be true, could it? Horrified she gently touched those trembling lips, fighting back the bile that gathered at the base of her throat. This is what Naruto meant when she asked about the Elders. She never visited Sasuke while he was in the hospital, so the story was never told to the unsuspecting kunoichi. Call it cowardice if you want, she just couldn't face the handsome man whom she used to love dearly. Now all that was left was an awkward ache as his dark eyes ghosted over her frightened features.

"You also killed Danzo, did you not?"

"Yes, but my revenge is still not complete," His eyes left Sakura's to glare at the remaining elders, which Homura shrunk back and Koharu shivered a bit.

"You wish them dead?"

"Or a fate worse than death," Sasuke retorted bitterly.

Slowly, but surely, he slipped back into his stoic Uchiha ways.

"Is that all you wish to say?"

The Uchiha nodded.

"Alright, we call Naruto to the stand."

The procession went on, Sakura fidgeted nervously in her seat. Sakura watched as Naruto said passionate and caring words for his best friend and fought for his side. When Sai was called he couldn't comment because he had only one brief contact with him. Kakashi admitted that the actions the village took were a bit drastic and it had forced Sasuke to become what he is now.

So Itachi had been good all this time? He loved the village more than his own family? Just how messed up inside is Sasuke now?

Sakura was so lost in thought, she didn't hear Iruka calling her name.

"Sakura Haruno!" He yelled, her head snapped up.

"Hai..?" She spoke nervously.

"Would you like to take the stand and say a few words."

After a long pause, "No."

She could feel his heated stare on her flesh, causing her to slide down in the seat, trying to make herself as small as possible. No, she still couldn't face him. Closing her eyes, she bit her lip.

Forgive me.

Now, it was the Elders turn.

"We did it for the sake of Konoha, the Uchihas were planning to take over the village and it could have resulted in another ninja war!" Despite the age, Homura's voice was strong.

Tsunade finally spoke up, "But didn't it cause this past ninja war we just got out of - thanks to Sasuke Uchiha?" She then spoke of the drastic actions they took and the annihilation of the clan. The Hokage was shocked to realize that the Uchihas were discriminated and ostracized so badly, she (a senju no less) did not blame the Uchihas for their actions.

Homura grew quiet, knowing they'd lost.

Tsunade intertwined her fingers and stared hard at the Uchiha for awhile before speaking,

"Sasuke Uchiha, your crimes are numerous and worthy of death, but you did get rid of Orochimaru and brought Akatsuki to it's knees by killing the leader, Madara. The five great nations are at peace now thanks to you. I hereby grant total amnesty."

The Elders stood proud in front of the crowd; they all glared, disgusted at the old couple.
Homura and Koharu would never regret what they had done, for the sake of the village.

"Homura and Koharu, you are sentenced to house arrest for the rest of your natural lives," Tsunade was pleased with the outcome, in one fell swoop she put the elders in their place and she would no longer have to listen to senile nonsense.

The Elders were escorted out of the room.

Sasuke felt the world lift from his shoulders. Now, what was his next goal? The trial was over and everyone started to file out.

"Teme, I knew we could do it!" Naruto slapped his back and grinned.

They walked over to team seven.

"Sakura..." Sasuke searched the emerald eyes of his pinkhaired teammate, who refused to look at him.

After a short pause, Sakura lifted her head and gave a forced, almost fake smile.

"Congratulations Sasuke." She dropped the affectionate suffix and it bothered him a little.

Not liking the tension and awkward silence that followed, Naruto leaped into action.

"Ne," He grabbed everyone in a bear hug, "How about we go out to eat to celebrate?"

"Sorry Naruto, I have to head home," Sakura ducked out from under the group hug and made her way to the door.

With a short wave and another fake smile, she left.

"Sakura welcome-" the home was cut short due to the fact Sakura threw herself into his arms.

Concern rocketed through Daisuke as he held her, "What's wrong?"

Silence.

"Did someone hurt you?" A darker tone to his normally silk-refined voice.

Sakura shook her head in his masculine chest and sobbed.

"He's back... for good," Hot tears spilled over the alabaster cheeks.

Who's back?

Perplexed, all Daisuke could do was hold onto his love. No matter what, he'd always be her rock in any storm she faced. Whispering soothing words to Sakura, he rubbed her back gently.

"I'll make us some tea," The smooth refined tenor calmed Sakura greatly. She could do this, deal with a certain someone being back in her life. She could only hope that no one would tell Sasuke about Daisuke. As if she'd be that lucky. For now, all Sakura could do was savor the moments she had with her perso-con.

Sasuke filtered out Naruto's mundane chatter as he stared into his steaming bowl of ramen. Sakura opted out of a group dinner, that was certainly out of character for a girl he's known for most of his life. What happened to the girl who used to stalk him in the bushes like some pervert or cling to every word he used to say; worshiping him like a living god. The duo was slowly joined by the rest of their classmates as well as the emotionless wonder.

Sasuke's ears suddenly twitched with new information.

"They are so cute together, they were at the beach the other day and Daisuke scooped Sakura up and kissed her!" Ino gushed while having a dreamy look to her sky blue eyes. She was excitedly telling the story to Hinata and TenTen, of how she followed spied on her best friend about Sakura's escapade.

Sasuke frowned, facing the Yamanaka girl, demanded,

"Who is Daisuke?"

Ino's smiling face faltered as her chopsticks left her fingers and plunged into the steamy bowl below with a splash. She slipped up big time. Naruto caught the piece of information as well as all of the rookie nine and unfortunately Sai. The future hokage's fierce blue eyes silently told Ino to come up with an excuse and fast.

"Um... well... er..." Ino looked down at her ramen, calculating how long it would take her to drown in the soupy mixture.

"Isn't he a distant relative?" Sai spoke up, garnering everyone's attention.

"What?" Sasuke questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Ugly—I mean Sakura, told me one day that he was a distant relative staying at her place."

Naruto ran a calloused hand over his tired face. Why did Sai have to go and spill the beans, even if they were partially wrong?

"If they are 'distant relatives' they shouldn't be kissing each other," Sasuke's grip on his own chopsticks made the thin wood crack slightly.

"Why?"

Sasuke looked at his replacement as if he was stupid, "It's called incest."

"I see..." Sai contemplated and wrote on a notepad he retrieved from his uniform.

"What is he doing?" Sasuke hissed to Naruto, becoming increasingly angry at this male's lack of social skills.

"Err... Sai was a part of ROOTS... Danzo's division," Naruto avoided Sasuke's scowl, "So he's taken up reading books to help him understand people more."

In frustration, Sasuke shook his head. Now is not the time to be sidetracked by his replacement's lack of understanding relationships.

Who was this Daisuke anyway?

"Naruto," His best friend stiffened at his steely voice, "Who is Daisuke."

"I think Sakura should be the one to tell you," These days he always seemed to be the one who stayed outside the line of fire, which was a smart move. Unless you happen to be best friend's with a bad tempered, jealous Uchiha.

"You better tell me who 'he' is or I will pummel you into next week," The Uchiha threatened.

Naruto smirked, blue eyes blazing with challenge, "If I remember correctly, it is I who pummeled you."

"You caught me when I was weak, moron! If you want to see who is superior, meet me at the training grounds at three." Slamming his chopsticks down onto the table, he left the stunned group behind. Naruto shrugged and pulled Sasuke's untouched bowl towards him. He couldn't let something this divine go to waste.

"So, who is this Daisuke?" Shikamaru's lazy voice rang over the group. Of course Ino blabbed to TenTen and Hinata, but she never told any of the guys.

"Look at the time!" Ino stood abruptly with a huge fake smile, "I gotta go! Father wants me to mind the shop early today! See ya!" No one had ever seen Ino Yamanaka move so fast before, leaving the males to ponder. Hinata and TenTen both feigned knowing about Daisuke (even though they had never met him), they were on Sakura's side.

End Chapter.