Broken Restraints

A/n: First a sincere apology for the long update wait, forgive me. I have my good reasons though and hopefully the next chapter won't be as far off. Please bare with me I'm still a beginner. I just hope this one was worth the wait, enjoy and I appreciate all of the reviews so much. And a quick apology for any missed mistakes.
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Broken Restraints-
pairings: Neji/Juugo/Sasuke

Second Encounter- Neji pov

Getting into the Hokages office, the first thing I did was check the clock hanging on the wall. Learning that it was a little after eight in the morning. It was then I realized that being in those cells for too long could start to wear on a person, myself included. Not being free to move around must make the situation much worse for Sasuke and Juugo. Shaking my head mentally I scolded myself for once again caring about the conditions they were in. I kept repeating it over and over again in my head that they were trying to attack the village, here only for revenge. They were the prisoners being punished for a good reason, even though they haven't really done anything yet.

The only other person in the room with me, aside from the Hokage and her assistant, was Morino Ibiki. No sign of Kakashi-san. He was either forced to go home, to the hospital and treat his wounds or he was waiting around somewhere to have more alone time with the Uchiha. Speaking first Tsuande-sama answered my unasked question for me. "Kakashi can't be with us at the moment he's out doing damage control making sure that the others don't breathe a word of this to Naruto once he's returned. It'd only cause more problems that we don't need right now. Understood?"

Ibiki and I replied simultaneously with a "Yes Hokage-sama." She was right, having Naruto and Sasuke around each other now, when the Uchiha was already so angry and worked up would only lead to fights and arguments. People getting hurt and more importantly put a slow to our finding out what he was up to, and who he's working with or for.

"Now," She sighed heavily before looking me in the eye and continuing. "Any progress Hyuuga?"

"Not much I'm afraid. Apparently Juugo won't talk without the Uchiha present. I managed to get a few things from Sasuke though." She waved her hand telling me to go on. "He didn't mention whom he was working for, it seems he may be acting alone. He wants revenge against the village elders for what they did to his clan, more importantly to his brother."

"His brother?" Shizune san spoke up. Everyone looked momentarily thoughtful on the subject, their minds going in whatever direction the information took them.

"Uchiha Itachi and the elders? I'll have to speak to them about this matter myself. Was that all?" I nodded. "Very well then your dismissed for now. Report back this afternoon."

"Yes Tsunade-sama." Bowing I took my leave as she began asking Mornio-san questions about the interrogations and telling Shizune to arrange a meeting with her and the elders.

I couldn't wait to get out of that building and may have been walking faster than normal to anyone who saw me. Passing the hall that would lead to the underground prison I fought off the urge to head back to the cells and see if either of them needed anything. I forced my legs to take me out of the building, deciding to leave through one of the large windows instead of making the long trip down endless stairs and through never ending corridors to make the trip faster. The farther away I was from them the more clearly I'd be able to think. At least that's what I was hoping but so far I was failing because my thoughts were still focusing mainly on Sasuke and Juugo. On my way home feeling the cool air and seeing the rising sun, breathing it in, I couldn't help but recall the dark, stifling and cramped prison cells the two were held in. They'll be missing the open air soon enough. Was revenge really worth losing your freedom? Was Sasuke really worth it for Juugo?

Its amazing how fast things changed in just a few hours. I'd just finished one mission and was now being thrown into guard work for two potentially dangerous rogue nins that want to destroy our village and its founders. Yet the more I thought about their situation the more I actually felt sorry for them. The more I wanted to know about them and not just for the sake of getting information to the Hokage. I wanted to know things about them in a personal way. Its a strange feeling I'm having but I can't seem to shake it. What I really needed to know was why I wanted these things, why I'm feeling this way. It can't just be mild curiosity.

Finally getting to my apartment I quickly removed my anbu uniform as I headed for the bathroom. While I showered the filth and stench of my last mission off I tried to find answers to my questions and figure out my recently strange behavior.

Clearly, I felt a connection to them both on some level or I wouldn't be so concerned for prisoners. I am well aware that those two are a threat to the village but they didn't actually have the chance to commit their crime. Which I know is a good thing but what they're going through now I can't help but feel for them a little. Being kept in a small confining area and in near darkness, no control over anything. They're probably feeling caged like I have for most of my life, it's no way to live. That could be a reason. Plain and simple empathy caused from my own life experiences. I reached for the shampoo to begin washing the dirt from my hair while continuing to analyze myself and the two strangers I had just met, that didn't feel like strangers at all.

From what I could tell during my first meeting with him. Juugo is just a lost soul needing guidance and care. He was under lock and key by Orochimaru and forced to do who knows what for who knew how long. It must have been awful. I know what it feels like to want someone stable and there for you in your life. I still feel that way from time to time since having lost my father. Juugo found that person in Sasuke. Its only natural that he'd be dependent on the Uchiha. Can Juugo really be blamed for his actions? Was he not just following Sasuke's lead? It makes perfect sense that he'd go along with attacking people he'd never met in a village he'd never been to and knew nothing of. Because the person who saved him from a miserable life, who helps to control a monster lurking within himself told him to. Unfortunately I could never tell that to the Elders or Godaime, no matter how convincing it sounds.

Anyone not living under rock knew of the Uchiha's history. The destruction of his clan by the hands of his own brother. Spending his life trying to get revenge by any means for the people he loved the most, only to find out that maybe his anger and vengeance shouldn't have been directed at Uchiha Itachi after all. From what I could tell, by Sasuke's words, the wrong doing was caused by the elders of Konoha, the one's who run the village Sasuke called home. He's probably felt outcast and alone his entire life. Could anyone really blame him for what he was trying to do?

As much as I tell myself and lead others to believe the issues I have with my uncle and the rest of clan are over, I know the truth. In my heart, in the back of my mind, it'll never end. I've felt that same rage and need for vengeance that Sasuke feels now. My clan, the elders, the third Hokage all played a part in my fathers death, whether it was his choice to die or not. I can't help but think that if it wasn't for village politics then maybe my father would still be alive today.

So I do understand Sasuke's reasoning, his need to attack the village and I understand how Juugo must feel and why he'd go along with it. Whomever this Suigetsu was must have similar reasoning as well. I get them but it doesn't have to mean I think what they tried to do is right. I know my job as a shinobi is to protect the village and those who reside in it. So professionally I know they belong in those cells but as a person its only natural that I'd feel bad for them. That was it, my answer sympathy and empathy and sharing an understanding. Nothing more. I'm not a traitor to my village and I'm not going to compromise my position or this assignment.

I let out a sigh of relief having lifted a small weight from my shoulders. Turning the shower water off I stepped out enjoying the rush of cool air and the clean feeling my body now had. I knew now it was alright to feel these things for them as long as I kept it away during the job.

Going into the bedroom I picked out a pair of white slacks and a tank top to slip on. Thinking about them now my mind was briefly spiteful of the two. Part of me was a bit jealous that they had been able to live their lives as they saw fit. Free of commitment, free of orders and obligations. That was up until now of course because they had been caught. Whether I enjoy being a shinobi or not some days I do wish it were simpler, that my life could be my own. No clan rules or specific lifestyle to live by. Not only that but apparently the two are close. Sharing a personal bond with one another. Something I've always wanted for myself but might have missed the chance to ever have. If what I think about Juugo is right from my personal analysis, his needing guidance and care, some sort of stability, its no wonder he relies so much on the Uchiha. Sasuke appears to be a strong minded, confident person, with the ability to use his doujutsu to protect Juugo from himself. It sounded like a good deal to me.

Heading to my small kitchenette to start my early lunch, because it was too late for breakfast and I never really cared for that particular meal anyway. I took out a simple can of soup pausing before closing the cupboard door, wondering if the two had eaten yet? Do they feed A-rank criminals in lock up? Could Sasuke and Juugo even be considered A-rank if they never carried out their mission? Prisoner meals wasn't something I should be concerned about right now, what I needed to do was focus on my questions for interrogation. As the soup was warming in a pot headed to the adjoined living room I grabbed a pad and pen from a side drawer for writing out my questions and dropped them on the coffee table beside their files. I could smell vegetable and rice which meant the soup was ready. Quickly grabbing a bowl and chopsticks I poured the contents in the bowl and took my meal into the living room.

As I ate I thought about the best ways to approach the questioning. Both Sasuke and Juugo were similar in their demure, quiet personas but very different in every other aspect, mostly in their responsiveness. So I had to be prepared in advance with different methods of questioning them separately and together. For Sasuke I'd have to get him angry enough to open up, even if it meant upsetting him about his past. He seems like the type to get careless when he's angry and emotional. He'll blurt things out without thinking first and it'll be good for getting information. I can feel a smirk playing across my lips because if I'm honest, that behavior reminds me of myself. Which means I'd have to be careful not to cross any boundaries so he doesn't catch on and shut off. Setting my bowl down momentarily I jotted down a few questions and tactics for the Uchiha, then finished off the rest of the cooling soup while thinking about Juugo.

I didn't know him very well, hardly at all but from the first encounter I could tell he wasn't a talkative person. At least not in this situation. If my suspicions are correct and Sasuke does keep Juugo in the dark about his plans he probably doesn't know much anyway. Not to mention having been locked away for most of his life, I imagine he's a little out of touch with life. I might have to approach his questioning on a personal level. The more I know about him the easier it'll be to get him to open up. It was a basic rule for interrogation when you didn't have the genjutsu ability to actually go inside a persons mind. Since becoming a jounin I took it upon myself to get training in the interrogating field, mainly because someone recommended me for it. They thought my ability to read people and their physical behavior through my byakugan would be useful, and I agreed. I'm still in the learning process but have already gone through five interrogations with lower class prisoners. So far these two were the most challenging.

I picked up the pad and pen again and let my curiosity about the large unknown nin take over my mind as I wrote things I'd like to ask him personally instead of writing questions that would give me answers about why they were invading the village. Once I was satisfied I slipped the paper into the file pausing with the folder open. There was a photo inside clipped to the front flap. The shots were apparently taken when the two were brought in to Hokage tower. Looking the picture over I was immediately drawn to the Uchiha's eyes. They seemed to be angry, annoyed but for me I could see the forlorn look underneath. A sad disappointment underlining the stoic hatred in his expression. Whatever happened between Sasuke and his brother or Sasuke and Orochimaru must have changed him completely. I'd have to get the whole story from him one way or another.

As I studied the picture I couldn't help but notice that the Uchiha really was attractive. Those sharp eyes and his refined nose fit well with his pale skin and dark hair. His features were smooth even at seventeen years of age and after all he'd probably been through his face remained young almost babyish. He was handsome in a typical pretty boy way, a description I'd often heard about myself. From seeing him in person, even with his oversized clothes on, I noticed the fine toned muscles and hardness of a determined long trained shinobi. He wasn't to thin or too thick. A very nice package overall.

Closing that file I reached forward to open the other folder and turned my attention to Juugo's photo. His expression didn't look angry or sad like Sasuke's. Juugo expression was blank almsot peacefuly so. I couldn't see anything more to the picture, there was nothing hiding behind those eyes. Even in the picture they were still a beautiful color, like a mix of the sun and a grapefruit complimenting his fiery hair well. Now Sasuke was an obvious beauty for a male but Juugo was discreetly handsome. Ruggedly so but he also had soft features that made him appear less menacing. He wasn't the kind of person you'd compliment openly at first glance but having been around Juugo for ahwile I noticed the attractiveness. He is defenitly good looking from head to toe, and one of the biggest men I've ever met. Which worked well for him and added to his appeal. From a physical point of view, there was no question why the two would be attracted to each other, or why I would be attracted to them as well. I wouldn't exactly call me vain but I knew when a person was physically good looking in an obvious way and they were. Reopening Sasuke file I placed the pictures side by side. Finding it a bit humorous, with Sasuke being much shorter than Juugo, trying to picture them together as couple, standing next to each other or lying with one another. When a laugh left my mouth it surprised me back to reality. I couldn't believe this was my train of thought and even worse I was this close to putting myself in that image.

I had gotten seriously off track and needed to regroup. I closed the folders and left the couch to clean my empty bowl and put it away. A little sleep would help me refresh myself and get my priorities straight so I headed for the bedroom to lie down.
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I wasn't asleep long before my mind was being taken by a dream, replyaing the events of the day and twisting them around. I could see myself in dirty clothing, it was dark with a very small dim light swinging above my head. I was in a small space, a prison cell, and there was a commotion going on outside of the door. Screams, yells, all frantic. Some of the voices were celebrating, others were more stern giving orders or trying to regain order. I smell smoke and can see it coming through the cracks under the door, the place was on fire. I get up from my place on the floor and try running to the barred door but find myself yanked back by chains holding me to the wall. I grunt upon impact with the wall and straightened up. I start calling out for help from anyone but I'm pretty sure no one can hear me and panic sets in, I being thrashing trying to free myself with little success. Just then I hear the cell door open and look up to see Uchiha Sasuke. Clothes intact, body heated with chakra and from running through the flames. He smirked at me before speaking.

"What? Did you think we'd leave you behind."

I stared at Sasuke in confusion when Juugo appeared behind him towering over the smaller teen. Sasuke stepped aside giving Juugo some kind of single with his hand and the quiet man came into my cell and with his bare hands yanked the chains from the wall freeing me. Then he smiled and headed back to Sasuke who told me to "Come on." And I followed them out of the door smoke immediately filling my eyes and lungs but I covered my mouth and nose with my hand before inhaling too much smoke. We ran past the screamers, Juugo knocking people out of the way and clearing our path until we got to a door that lead to a stairwell going down. There was no smoke or noise down there and we went inside comtinuing to run until reaching a dead end. That's when Juugo reached up and pushed on the dirt above us sliding over, revealing a door and sky light. He climbed out first and reached in for us, Sasuke pushed my back a bit telling me to go first. I took Juugo's offered hand, he gripped me firmly but still in a gentle way and pulled me out with ease, then repeated the action for Sasuke.

Once outside my eyes adjusted to the sunsetting light and I could see that were just outside of a wooded area. Trees surrounded us from behind and on the sides. In the distance, in front of us I saw the smoke and flames rising from the prison.

Juugo began moving the hidden door back over to cover the entrance and Sasuke stared at me a moment before saying. "Now isn't this better? Light, fresh air.... freedom?" All I could do was stare back he said "Let's go." And Juugo and I followed him into the woods.
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I woke up before anything more could happen, my mind still fuzzy from the dream, I glanced around feeling the bed beneath me, remembering where I was. Getting up I went into the bathroom to splash cold water on my face. I've had dreams before that mimicked recent events so I wasn't suprised to be thinking about Sasuke and Juugo in my sleep but the meaning behind it had me lost. There was the chance I was subconsciously putting myself in the place of their third team member, Suigetsu. The dream could have also been some kind of premonition, what if it was telling me that Sasuke and Juugo were going to somehow excape and go after their friend? "Hn." It was a good thing I didn't read much into dreams or nightmares. I'd just returned from a long surveillance mission and haven't slept much it must be affecting me more than I thought it would. Shaking the dream feel off I left the bathroom after straightening myself up and caught a glimpse of the coocoo clock, bought for me by my friends as a joke due to my minor bird fetish, on the wall. It was only a little after twelve in the afternoon. I hadn't slept as long as I wanted to and figured I might as well get back to work now instead of waiting out another hour or so.

Before leaving I went against my better judgement and heated another two cans of soup, pouring the contents into sealable containers to take to Juugo and Sasuke. Whether I was doing it just to be nice or doing it to earn their trust so they'd give me more information, I wans't sure myself yet but I was doing it.
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Things were quiet inside the prison halls, nothing like how it was in the strange dream I had just had. The Godaime was out of her office for a meeting with the Elders, which was lucky for me considering what I was carrying with me in a rucksack. I don't think she would have been very understanding if I told her why I had food with me. The only person I saw in passing was another shinobi on guard duty patroling up and down the corridors. Because I wasn't wearing my anbu uniform this time I had to show him my identification before he let me by.

Getting closer to where they kept Sasuke and Juugo I could hear quiet clanking sounds coming from inside Sasuke's cell. I slid the eye door over and found him trying to beat his handcuffs against the sink in an attempt to break them. He had to have known that was useless. He looked tired and frustrated, probably hungry which only stregnthened my resolve of bringing them something to eat. I fished the cell key out of my gi pocket and unlocked the door, removing the bar and sliding it open.

The Uchiha stopped what he was doing, his head darting in my direction and for a brief moment I thought I saw a bit of relief etch his features. Stepping I closed the door and removed my bag setting on the little chair and opening it to pull out one of the two containers, aware that his eyes were burning on my skin the entire time.

"You'll only aggravate yourself if you keep trying to break out of those cuffs. That and possibly pull the sink from the wall." He didn't find my words amusing.

"Back so soon. Couldn't wait to see me again?"

I smirked inwardly at his half true words. "I had nothing else to do and I would have been on duty in an hour either way. Have you eaten yet?" He scoffed and I took that as a 'no'. "I brought you something and you should probably eat it to keep your stregnth up."

"Keep my stregnth up." He scoffed almost as if he were laughing at my statement. "For what? More interrogation. I think I'll survive."

"Your choice." He walked away from me and sat on the bed causing it to creek a bit under the pressure. I could tell he wasn't in a cooperative mood right now but my curiosity was getting to me so I took the chance anyway. "Can you tell me about Suigetsu?"

"What about him?"

"I don't know whatever comes to mind."

He stood again, fixing me with a bitter look. "What does he have to do with anything? He's not here and nothing I say about him is gonna help you with whatever answers it is you're looking for to give to the damn Hokage."

I didn't fall under the weight of the pressure he was putting on me. Keeping my tone even I simply shrugged. "I didn't think it would, I'm just curious." Sasuke gave me another questioning look and I oculd tell he wanted to cross his arms but couldn't manage it with the way the cuffs were set up to keep his hands apart.

"Tell you what, why don't you tell me what you know about Suigetsu first. Where they're keeping him, what they're doing to him and then we can... share information."

Using my own negotiation tactic against me, he really was a smart man. "What does it matter to you where he is and what's happening to him? You plan on breaking out to rescue him? You'd have to free yourself first."

"Afraid I could?"

As we engaged each other in a stare down I breifly wondered if I could possibly still be dreaming. I crossed my own arms now and thought his offer over. Its not like I wouldn't be able to get information on Suigetsu if I wanted to and what harm could it do. There's no way either of them could break out of this prison and even if they did this place was crawling with anbu and other shinobi to stop them. Deciding to take back the situation I made a random decision and walked up to the Uchiha, he only stepped back slightly until I grabbed his wrist. He watched with a bemused expression as I pulled a special key out and unlocked the cuffs and pulled them off. I looked him square in the eye for a second before turning away to retrieve my bag but left the food on the table.

"What are you doing?" He asked, still confused but trying not to show it.

"Showing no fear." I answered with a smirk at the look he gave me. "Plus it'd be really hard for you to eat without the use of your hands." I headed to the door opening it and turning back slightly. "I'm going to check on Juugo and maybe see about getting information your Suigetsu." I didn't give him time to answer before walking out and closing the door.

It wasn't that I trusted Sasuke or anything but I needed him to think I did or that I was starting to. That and I know the Godaime's seal would keep him from using any jutsus. The cuffs were really just an extra precaution so I could remove them without being nervous. Strange dreams aside I know they aren't going anywhere.

Since I'm still currently off duty I can tell myself I did the right thing and be ok with it. Hopefully when I returned he'd be more cooperative.

I took the short few steps to Juugo's cell and let myself in, he didn't look up or move from where he was lying uncomfortably on the bed. His eyes were closed and his breathing even. I didn't think he was asleep but I decided not to disturb him just yet. I took the soup container out of the bag and set it on the table lifting the top and letting some steam out. A moment later the smell of broth and vegetables filled the small cell and Juugo opened his eyes glancing my way as I walked over to the bed.

"I don't know if they've fed you yet so I brought something myself, its not much though." He only made a small sound in th eback of his throat. "Sit up so I can take that thing off." He didn't waste anytime moving and I pushed his back up to help until he was sitting straight. I undid the buckles and helped lift the jacket over his head. "I'll ask if this can remain off. Its not really serving any purpose anymore."

"Thank you." He stretched his muscles, a few bones cracked from lack of use and he sighed heavily once he was finished. Juugo looked at me as if noticing for the first time that I wasn't in uniform. I couldn't tell what he was thinking as he eyed me but I was surprisingly not uncomfortable while he did it.

"Are you hungry?" I spoke redirecting his attention. He looked at the food on the table before answering.

"Uh yeah I guess." I gave him a small smile and stepped out of his way to he could go to the table. Juugo really was an enigma to me. He seemed like a decent person, so out of place here, so undeserving of being locked up. Then again I didn't really know much about him. That would hopefully change soon enough.

I watched him eat for a minute as if he were starving before deciding I should leave him alone until I actually had to be there. Just as I was heading for the door he stopped me. "Wait, can you tell me how Sasuke's doing?"

I turned to look at him and saw the sadness and concern return to those beautiful eyes. "He's in a mood but otherwise doing alright, atleast as alright as he can be in this situation."

"Hn.... you're leaving already?"

"Just for a few minutes so you can eat in peace."

"There's nothing but peace around here." He joked even though his tone was serious.

I smirked at the comment but knew it was dishearteningly true. I used to believe solitaire was a game only crazy people played. No one in their right mind would want to be left completely alone for a long period of time. It was strange though that Juugo wasn't used to this having been under lock and key in Orochimaru's hideout. "No offense but shouldn't you be used to this, I mean weren't you locked up for most of your life?" My thoughts came out in the open.

"I wouldn't mind as much but things are different now. They've been different since Sasuke came for me."

"Mm." A small silence stretched between us and he went back to eating. "I have some things to care of but I'll be back shortly, there are some questions I want to ask you." He made a sound of acknowledgement and I left. First thing I needed to do was speak with the Hokage or someone about getting rid of their bindings, the cuffs and straight jacket. Then I'd needed to find out if it was possible to get information from Kirigakure on their captive Suigetsu.

As I formulated my plan I kept repeating over and over in my head that I was doing this for a good reason, to help the interrogation process. Because believing in anything different would cause me to start worrying about myself.

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Shizune-san was nowhere in sight but the fifth was back in her office now and from the way she sighed heavily and slumped in her chair I could tell she wasn't in a good mood after her meeting with the elders. It was too late, however, for me to turn back now. As long as I approached the subject in a mission related manner I'd be fine. I moved in a little more and cleared my throat a bit to get her attention.

"Tsunade-sama."

Lifting her head she glanced at me than at the clock on the wall behind me. "Neji? You're back early."

"I'd like to make a request regarding Juugo and Uchiha Sasuke."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Their bindings. I don't believe they're necessary anymore."

She now sat up straight and narrowed her eyes at me. "You've decided this after a few short hours of being with them?"

"I believe the restraints only frustrate and anger them more. It keeps them closed off, guarded and uncooperative." The godaime appeared to be thinking my words over, her hands folding together beneath her chin.

"I agree." A third party spoke and both our heads turned in the direction of the open window where Hatake Kakashi was perched in the sill.

"Kakashi. What happened with Naruto?" The fifth asked with nervous anticipation.

The copy nin sighed and let himself all the way into the office. "It wasn't easy convincing him of this "special assignment" he had to do. I could tell he and Sakura were suspicious but she convinced Naruto to go along with it."

"Does she know anything about..."

"No. I made it seem as though Naruto would be in danger if he returned to the village right now."

"Good. At least we can relax on that matter for now."

"So what's this about our young captives?"

"Hyuuga here, thinks we would benefit more if the prisoners were comfortable."

Kakashi moved to stand beside me. "Is he wrong?" The hokage raised a fine brow at his question and he elaborated. "Until we get Inoichi back it seems that Neji here is the only one able to get through to them. And apparently Ibiki's torture tactics don't seem to be effective. To be honest I don't enjoy the idea of torturing kids." He added in all seriousness.

"Especially when one of those kids used to be yours hm?"

"Perhaps."

Tsunade then stood and looked us both square in the eye before pacing back and forth a moment. When she stopped she turned to us seriously. "Alright have the cuffs removed but I'm warning you Hyuuga if anything happens to you in those cells I won't be responisble for what I'll do to you later, got it?"

"Understood and-"

"Hmm?"

"Uchiha Sasuke was asking about his other team member, Suigetsu. The one you released into Kirigakure's hold."

"What about him?" Her tone was becoming more volatile by the word but I had made it this far and I wasn't about to waver now.

"If there's any information you could give me on him, Sasuke agreed to make an exchange for information."

"And you believe him?"

"To an extent but it wouldn't hurt to try."

She sighed again and sat back in her chair heavily, glancing at Kakashi to see if he'd had an opinion from the sighed of my eye I could see him shrug a bit. "Very well. I'll send word to the Mizukage and see what I can do but don't get your hopes up. Now go, both of you I need a break."

"Yes Tsuande-sama, thank you." Kakashi and I left at the same time walking side by side through the corridors. "I appreciate the help in there. I don't think she would have agreed with me if you hadn't spoken up."

"I don't know you talked a good game. So have you seen them yet?"

"Mm, just before coming here. Juugo is spacey at best and Sasuke is still in a bad way."

"Understandable but you've made some progress right? Seems like you've been finding out little bits of things on them."

"Its hard to be sure but I believe so." We walked a few steps in silence before I decided to voice my thoughts. "May I ask you something in confidence?"

He glanced down at me from the side of his visible eye. "....Of course."

"I know any threats to our village must be dealt with immediately and in all seriousness,"

"Right."

"But Sasuke and Juugo never really carried out their mission, they didn't have the chance to hurt us, thanks to you and your team." I hesitated a moment before continuing. "So is it really necessary for us to treat them as hardcore criminals?

We stopped walking at the intersection of the hall and Kakashi leveled his eyes on me, raising his hitae-ate and exposing his sharingan eye.

"I guess not, it depends on how the prisoners react to us I suppose."

"I know we could never release either of them. The possability of Sasuke continuing his revenge is too great and Juugo would surely return to try and free Sasuke, possibly with backup. That much I understand but for the time they're in lock up-"

"You think its unnecessary for us to mistreat them because technically they haven't done anything to truly earn it?"

"Something like that."

"Looks like you've got Naruto syndrome." I give him a perplexed look and he smiles at me while returning his headband to its place covering his gift given eye. "Much like Naruto, you feel its best to befriend the enemy if its possible as opposed to treating them like bad guys. Being nice usually gets a better response out of people."

"Is that wrong in this case?"

"Not at all. Though it is a bit surprising hearing this from you. But like I said earlier, it wouldn't surprise me if you and Sasuke connected in some way." He gave me that odd expression again, the one I couldn't quite read. "Just becareful and I don't just mean physically. Even with the best of intentions people still get burned." He patted my shoulder before heading in the opposite direction of where I was going.

"Careful not to get burned." I repeated, The words reminded me of my dream and I couldn't help but feel the nagging tug in the back of my mind telling me all these things weren't just a coincidence.

I went back to Sasuke's cell and took notice of the half eaten soup but didn't metnion it. Sasuke was lying on the bed much like Juugo had been when I'd first seen him. He sat up when I came in.

"So?"

"What? If you're asking about Juugo, he's fine at the moment and sticking to our previous deal if you answer my questions I'll take you to see him." He nodded. "Getting the information on Suigetsu might take awhile but its being looked into."

I pulled the chair from the table and smiled to myself that it had been moved, probably sat in while Sasuke ate, and slid it a bit closer to the bed readying my pad and pen.

"Aren't you going to put the cuffs back on?" He asked still lying down arms folded beneath his head. I looked at him not letting my smirk be hidden and answered.

"No. I made it so you don't have to wear them anymore."

Though Sasuke tried to hide it I could see the pleased relief all over his face and this pleased me. My plan is working. I can serve my village and myself at the same time and I'll make sure no one is going to get burned.