In claws of evil

Chapter 16: The meeting with the council:

“So who is going to train with me?” The blonde asked the busty Hokage.

“I can fight Naruto if I may. We made good sparing partners as we were younger and Kakashi used to pair us together all the time,” the Uchiha told her. He wasn’t thrilled with the idea of fighting against his foxy lover, even though it would be a controlled spar.

“No, I don´t think that´s a good idea, Sasuke-kun,” Tsunade said as she leaned back in her chair.

“What?! Why?” Naruto asked. “It´s not like we would try to kill each other and we are equally strong.”

“Sasuke is still considered a nuke-nin and will probably not be allowed to train with his full strength while he´s here or use any jutsus. The fact that you are involved doesn´t make it better… you´ll just end up going easy on Naruto because you love him and we still don´t know what effect the merging had on you. You might react different than you think and things might get out of hand. No, I already have someone else in mind,” the blonde woman told the raven with a smirk.

“Who?” Asked both Naruto and Sasuke with curiosity.

“I´ll tell you once you have talked to the council, who is already expecting us,” Tsunade said as she rose to her feet. “Let´s tell them the good news, shall we!”

~ # ~

The members of the council stared at the sight in front of them. Uchiha Sasuke; the handsome, young and very powerful shinobi had finally returned to Konoha.

Next to the raven-haired man stood the man who had finally succeeded in bringing his best friend and former teammate home. Uzumaki Naruto; an eighteen year old shinobi and the former keeper of the strongest demon in the world.

The room was filled with concerned mumbling voices as the board stared at the blonde´s new look.

“What happened to you, Uzumaki-kun?” Homura; head of the council hissed.

Naruto shifted at the old man´s harsh tone and out let of a low sigh that only the Uchiha could hear.

“It all began as…” Naruto told the council about everything, though he left out the part about the rape as it didn´t concern them and he didn´t tell them about the new closeness that he and the Uchiha had shared since then.

Sasuke filled out the blanks just as he had done earlier with Kakashi and Iruka. The council listened quietly though surprised yelps could be heard from time to time.

Neither Naruto nor Sasuke mentioned anything about the offer from the Sound, as they wanted to hear the Konoha council´s reaction to everything. The letter from the Sounds elders were their escape route if things got out of hand.

“So you defeated Orochimaru by joining forces then?” Hiashi; Hinata´s father asked with great admiration.

“Yes, I couldn´t have done it without Sasuke´s help,” Naruto answered.

“Well then we are grateful to both you and Uchiha-kun,” Hiashi said with gratitude. The Hyuuga clan and the Uchiha clan had never been on friendly terms… but it still pleased him that the young Uchiha heir had finally come back home.

“Naruto-kun, how are these changes going to affect you? Is the Kyuubi finally gone or are there still traces of its soul inside of you?” Chouji`s father asked the blonde man whom he respected greatly. Naruto had always been a good friend to Chouji and his friend Shikimaru.

“I think I should answer this one.” The Hokage interrupted. “I have examined Naruto and the spirit of the Kyuubi is gone. Naruto is still adjusting to the merging process which is perfectly normal. I have already arranged a strict training for him so he can learn how to use his new powers in the best way,” she explained.

“Will there be any risk?” Homura asked. “Is there any chance that he´ll loose control and attack anyone?”

“He won´t!” Sasuke growled angrily. “How dare you accuse Naruto of losing control. He has always done his best to protect what´s important to him. He risked everything to save those he loved more than once… He loves Konoha and those who live here, though not everyone deserves his love and forgiveness. He risked his life to save you, me and the villagers more than once!”

“Sasuke, leave it… it doesn´t matter anymore,” Naruto said as he placed a hand on his boyfriend´s shoulder and squeezed it softly.

“How dare you shout at me, Uchiha! You´re still a traitor here and though you helped in the battle against Orochimaru you´ll still be punished according to law. I want an ANBU team on both you and the demon carrier twenty-four/seven till the time of the trial of Uchiha Sasuke. I want a full scale of tests run on Uzumaki Naruto and I would prefer to lock him up till further-” Homura threatened.

“That´s enough!” Hiashi growled angrily. “How dare you talk to them like this! Naruto-kun is a skilled shinobi and has always completed all his missions with great skill and strength. He is a loyal ninja who has proven his worth and his love for our village many times, and you will treat him with respect!”

“Well spoken, Hyuuga-sama,” Tsunade praised. “Besides, Naruto and Sasuke have something else to announce as well,” she said as she turned to face the two upset men. “You should tell them about your plans.”

“Yes, I think now’s a good time.” The Uchiha´s growl turned into a smirk as he wrapped an arm possessively around his blonde. “After we defeated Orochimaru, the Sound elders came to us with an offer we couldn´t refuse. Naruto and I will take over the leadership of the Sound.”

The eyes of the members of the council grew wide at that statement, and confused and upset mumbles filled the room once more.

“What?!” The head of the council shouted. “Are you going to become our enemy?”

“No. Sasuke and I are going to rebuild the Sound. We will turn it into a respected nation, just like Suna and Konoha,” Naruto said. He had to restrain himself from attacking that idiot who didn´t seem to get it.

“Basically, we´re both going to bear the title of Kage within a month, so you can´t restrain or punish us in any way… without being attacked from the Sound,” Sasuke stated with a satisfied smirk.

He looked into Naruto´s red streaked blue eyes to assure him that everything was going to be fine. They would soon leave all of this behind them; fulfilling their true destiny.

“Have you any documents that can prove this?” Hiashi asked calmly. He, like the rest of the council was still in shock. If Uchiha and Uzumaki would rebuild the Sound, they would be able to create a nation that would be extremely strong. If Konoha would become the ally of a nation like that along with Suna… they could become invincible.

“We have the official document from the Sound elders’ right here,” the Uchiha told them as he took the sealed scroll from his bag and gave it to Hiashi.

The Hyuuga read the scroll out loud; it confirmed the Uchiha´s claim by officially referring to Naruto and Sasuke as the new leaders of the Sound.

“Well, I think an apology and congratulation is in order,” Tsunade said as she walked up to stand between Naruto and Sasuke.

“I won´t apologize to anyone, especially not to a demon or a traitor!” Homura; the head of the council shouted while pointing at Naruto and Sasuke. Both were ready to attack the man as they felt a hand on their shoulders.

“Don´t get your hands dirty on a moron like that… that´s my job!” Tsunade growled before rushing forward, grabbing the old man by the collar and slapping him on the cheek. “Consider yourself relieved of your duty,” she growled directly at the man.

“Hiashi! I hereby make you the new head of the council.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade,” Hiashi said. He, as well as the rest of the members of the council was more than happy to get rid of that old negative fool.

He ordered a guard to escort the former leader out of the room. The man cursed loudly all the way out and everyone was surprised by the vile vocabulary the old man used.

“Well, as the new head of council I would like to congratulate you on your new assignment.” Hiashi said. “I hope that you will accept our alliance and allow us to help you to rebuild the Sound.”

“We will,” Sasuke and Naruto answered the Hyuuga.

“Good. Then let us put the past behind us and start anew. I hope this will be the beginning of a prosperous friendship for both nations.” Hiashi rose to his feet and walked to stand in front of the young men and shook their hands.


“We hope so too,” The blonde fox said.

“What will happen now?” The representative from the Nara family asked.

“We will stay here about a month to be able to say a proper goodbye to everyone and Naruto will train with Tsunade-sama. We hope that we will be able to use this time to remake and strengthen the bonds we have here in Konoha,” the Uchiha said.

“That sounds fair. I hope we will see you around during these next few weeks then. I wish to meet you both here again in a week to discuss the matter of the take over of the Sound with you.” Hiashi told them. “I, the rest of the council and the honorable Hokage wish to help you in any way possible, and we hope that you will tell us about your plans for the rebuild and the running of the Sound.”

“That is acceptable, we will be here,” Sasuke said.

“We aren´t trained leaders yet, but we have served under two very skilled and fair Hokage,” Naruto said while looking straight at Tsunade who was moved by his praising words. “I hope that Hokage-sama will help us out with some… good advice.”

“I´m sure that we can come to an agreement, Uzumaki-san and Uchiha-san. The meeting is hereby closed.” Hiashi bowed to the two young men, who bowed back in response.

~ # ~

“Well, that could have gone worse,” the blonde sighed as he walked next to the Uchiha. They were free to go where they pleased as the council accepted their future employment as leaders of the Sound.

“I think so too.” Sasuke sighed. “Though I´m shocked that some people still treat you like that, Naru-kun. I understand that they despise me and call me a traitor; because in some ways I am.”

“Some never change, Sas´ke… That´s the way things sometimes are. But your heart was never in the Sound and you never killed any Konoha nins if you didn´t have too as a last resort,” Naruto mumbled.

“My heart was always with you and it always will be Dobe.” Sasuke stopped in the middle of the street and kissed his fox. He smirked as he felt the villagers stunned eyes on them. He felt a spark of satisfaction at being able to shock the simple-minded villagers like this, he was a bit of a sadist after all.

“Sas´ke, everyone is looking at us, lets go home.”

“But Naru-kun, there is no need to be shy about us. I love you and want to show that I finally got the one I have always wanted,” the Uchiha said before he pinched Naruto´s firm ass with a smirk on his handsome face.

“Sasuke!” The fox chirped as he slapped the raven´s groping fingers with a grin. He wasn´t angry… he was happy, happy that things finally seemed to turn out right.

“Naruto, your back home…” Slender arms wrapped around Naruto´s strong neck and the sound of lips connecting with skin made the Uchiha frown as the pink-haired woman kissed his Dobe on the cheek. “I heard so many bad things from Sai… Are you alright?”

“I´m fine,” Naruto grinned as he looked at the Uchiha who looked a bit annoyed.

“What have you done to your hair and your…” She asked as she released him from the hug. She stopped talking as her eyes caught a familiar sight next to the blonde. “Sa… Sasuke?”

“Sas… ke?” She stepped forward while reaching out a hand to touch her former teammate; to make sure that he was really there.

“Hn,” he nodded at her. How dare she cling to his Naru-chan like that? Naruto was his and his alone.

“You´re finally back… you´re home.” She touched his shoulder with a trembling hand. The tears rolled down her cheeks and silent sobs filled the air.

“We came back the day before yesterday,” Naruto told her.

“What?! Why didn´t you stop by to tell me that you were back? And that… that you succeeded in bringing Sasuke back home with you?” She scolded him.

“We weren’t allowed to leave the Uchiha compound,” Sasuke said with annoyance as he grabbed Naruto by the arm and pulled him closer (A/N: He´s so possessive ne?) and to put some space between him and the konoichi.

“… Oh, so have you talked to the council already?” She asked. Her green eyes stared with suspicion at the closeness between her former teammates. “What is going on here?”

~ # ~

“Say Sasori; want me to scrub your back?” The blonde Akatsuki member peeked into the bathroom where the puppet master took a shower to wash off the traces of a long trip.

“No!” The redhead growled.

The blonde entered the bathroom anyway and knelt down next to the tub.
“Say Sasori.”

“What?” The grumpy redhead asked.

“Won´t your body become damaged if you stay in the water too long? Because it´s made of wood, metal and plastic?” The grinning Deidara asked with a chuckle. “Won´t you rust or something?” The blonde ran as fast as he could; laughing at his prank.

A very naked and soaked Sasori could soon be heard chasing a cheerfully laughing blonde all over the rented room while cursing really badly. Guests and staff that passed the room stopped to listen before they shook their head while muttering something about young love.

~ # ~

Sakura stared in disbelief at her former teammates who sat on the opposite side of the table. They had decided to go to a small coffee shop to talk in a more private environment.

Sasuke and Naruto had told her what had happen and that they were going to lead the Sound; together as equals and lovers.

“You and… Sasuke?” She mumbled. She was shocked to hear about the torture, though she knew it was a part of being a shinobi. To be a ninja was a dangerous way of life, and many died at too young an age.

“Sakura-chan… are you alright?” Naruto placed his hand over hers; giving it a little squeeze.

“Yeah… congratulations with finally getting together and the new job. I´m happy for you both.” She managed to suppress the bad things she just heard, and smiled at them. “I know how much you wanted to be a Kage.”

“You´re not angry?” Naruto asked. He looked into her green eyes and nearly jumped as he felt her hand upon his.

“No, why would I be? You have been chasing after Sasuke ever since he left. Naruto-niisan, do you remember our talk after we first meet with Sai and Yamato?”

“Yeah,” the blonde blushed at their little talk.

“I asked you if you thought that Sai looked a bit like Sasuke, remember?” Sakura smiled as she saw the strange expression on Sasuke´s face. Was he surprised that they had talked about him? She could only wonder.

“I said that they might have similarities… but that Sasuke…”

“That Sasuke was way better looking and way cooler,” she reminded the blushing blonde.

“… You said that?” The Uchiha asked his lover. Naruto looked at him with those captivating azure eyes and nodded.

“I knew then that he loved you, Sasuke. He loved you more than I ever could. I´m happy for you.”

“… Th… Thank you, Sakura,” Sasuke whispered as he smiled with great happiness at his fox. Naruto had loved him all these years?

He never noticed the surprised look on Sakura´s face as he thanked her. Sasuke rarely thanked anybody and he almost never meant it if he said it either… but Sakura could hear that this was a ´Thank you` that came straight from the Uchiha´s heart.

´He has changed so much… I´m glad to see that both of them have finally found their happiness. ` She smiled as she saw the open display of affection between her two former teammates.

“I love you, Naruto,” he whispered as he hugged the blonde tightly against his chest.

“I love you too, Sas´ke,” the blonde purred back.

“Awww, you are so cute together,” the pink-haired woman squealed happily. She reached across the table to pat their arms with a huge grin on her face.

“So how long are you staying?”

They stayed at the coffee house for another hour; talking about the past and the future. Sasuke was thrilled to find out that the pink-haired girl was dating Lee. She had finally given in to his endless invitations and went out with him.

“He´s actually really romantic and sweet,” she told them.

“Fuzzy eyebrows… a romantic?” The blonde chuckled teasingly, which earned him a bonk on the head.

´This is just like old times,` the Uchiha thought as he took a sip of his black coffee. ´Just better, as we are finally becoming friends now that she´s not stalking me anymore.`

“Why don´t you two come to dinner with Lee and me this weekend?” Sakura asked.

Naruto looked pleadingly at his raven-haired lover.

“Sure,” the Uchiha said while lacing his fingers with the blonde.

“Would you mind if I asked some of the other guys to come too?” She asked. “It would make it easier for you to tell everyone about this matter at once… aren´t you getting tired of telling the same story over and over?”

“You have a point,” Sasuke agreed. “We want to put this behind us as fast as possible, so we can concentrate on our future together.”

“It´s settled then,” Sakura said with a huge smile. “I´ll let you know where and when within a few days.” She got up from her seat and hugged Sasuke across the table.

The Uchiha growled at the unwanted closeness but hugged her back none the less.

She then hugged Naruto tightly before kissing him on a whiskered cheek. She smiled at Sasuke who didn´t look too pleased with the kissing part; no not pleased at all.

“See you guys later then… have fun.” She waved with a grin before running off to plan the feast.

“Well, now everyone will know that we´re back within the hour,” Naruto grinned as they paid for their coffee and left to go to the training ground where Tsunade would meet them within the hour.

TBC