Death is the only way to freedom

Chapter 7: Awakening – part two:

Sakura crossed her arms over her chest and sighed.

“Yare, yare… aren’t this a sweet sight?” Kakashi grinned as he walked to stand next to the pink-haired medic.

“Hmmm… I don´t understand it, Kakashi-sensei. Why is he acting like this… I thought that Sasuke wanted to kill Naruto, and he never asked for his brother’s faith once… do you think he hid his head as he fell and I just failed to notice?” She stared in disbelief at the raven-haired figure who even in his sleep had wrapped his arms protectively around the unconscious Naruto, as if he was afraid to lose the blonde if he let go.

“I guess that Sasuke likes Naruto more than he would ever admit under normal conditions!”

“… That might be true… but I can’t let him stay here… Naruto needs to recover and…”

“let him stay, Sakura. Perhaps this will help Naruto to find his way back to us… Naruto has always chased after Sasuke and never stopped believing that he could bring Sasuke home.” Kakashi walked to stand right next to Naruto´s form and leaned down.

“Naruto! He’s home… You finally brought Sasuke back to Konoha!” He whispered into blonde locks with a smile hid behind his mask.

Knock, knock!

“Kakashi-sensei… the Hokage and the counsel request your presence at the great hall immediately!” A messenger bowed as she politely asked the sliver-haired nin to follow her.

“Be right there!” The copy-nin said before turning his attention towards Sakura who looked worried.

“Don´t worry… everything will be just fine!” He told her with a cheerful tone before he left the room to go to tell his version of the story.

“I hope you are right, Kakashi-sensei,” she said with a sigh as she covered the two young men with another blanket to keep them warm.

~ # ~

“So, you say that Uzumaki Naruto killed Uchiha Itachi to save you and his team, and that he got help from Uchiha Sasuke….. Is it also true that Uzumaki Naruto was badly hurt as he tried to save you and Uchiha Sasuke?” Elder Nara, who was sitting next to his son Shikimaru, asked Kakashi.

“Yes, that’s what I wrote in my report!” Kakashi stated with a firm voice. Kakashi, Sakura and Sai had agreed on this version to avoid that the good hearted blonde would receive a punishment for being possessed by the Kyuubi as it no longer would course any trouble.

“Is it true that the Kyuubi no Kitsune is gone, Hokage-sama” Hyuga Hinata asked. She was now the head of the Hyuga clan together with her cousin Neji as her father had stepped down to let the two youngsters rule the clan as one.

“Yes. The cursed black flames of the Amaterasu destroyed the Kyuubi as Naruto died… luckily Kakashi-sensei and my best student Sakura were able to bring Naruto-kun back to us… “

“What about Uzumaki-san? How will he be affected from the happenings?” Neji asked.

“I can’t say anything about that before he wakes up from his coma… but he should be fine and be able to return to be a shinobi and a valuable asset to Konoha as always!” Tsunade said with pride. Now there would be no hindrance for her favorite blonde to become her successor.

“I say, we should give him huge credit for the heroic deed that Uzumaki Naruto did and accept your repeating request for him to be added to the list of candidates to become the next Hokage!” The Akimichi clan requested.

“The Hyuga clan accepts that request!” Neji and Hinata said in unison.

“So does the Inuzuka clan!” Said Kiba´s father.

“We accept as well!” The Nara clan stated and Shikimaru gave the Hokage a small smile, as he saw her face sparkle with happiness.

“The Aburame clan will too!”

“It´s official then!” The smiling Hokage concluded. “Uzumaki Naruto will be giving the title of hero of the hidden leaf for his courage and willing to sacrifice his life for the city and become my successor!” She knew that Kakashi´s story wasn’t all true, but she knew that Naruto had saved Konoha so many times and was finally acknowledged for it.

“Next subject: Uchiha Sasuke… what do you suggest we do about him?” Kakashi asked the counsel.

~ # ~

“Sakura-chan… why won’t you let us visit Naruto?” Kiba asked and Akamaru barked to his statement.

“Uchiha-san has just awakened from his coma and need a lot of rest… and Naruto as well. I´m sorry but I can’t allow you to see either of them right now!” The pink-haired medic said firmly while blocking the door. She didn’t want anyone to see Sasuke in his current state as he was still clinging to the blonde as if his life depended on it.

She could see that Gaara and Kankurou were still here as well as Ino, Iruka-sensei, Lee and Konohamaru.

´Guess everyone else is attending to the meeting!´ she thought. She was happy to see that Naruto´s friends were still coming every day, even after more than a week with no progress.

They had asked a few questions about Sasuke´s state but they seemed more interested in the blonde’s wellbeing.

´ It´s probably normal as they have never known Sasuke very well and don´t trust him as they see him as a traitor of our nation. They all care greatly about Naruto because he was always there for them when they were in any kind of trouble, offering a helping hand no matter what. We love him and couldn’t bear to lose him… ´

“Will you at least put these flowers next to his and Sasuke´s bed then?” Ino handed her an orange rose and an orchid.

“Sure… “ Sakura took the flowers with a smile.

“The rose is for Naruto, to show him that I care for him greatly and the Orchid is for Uchiha-san!”

“Why an Orchid?” The pink-haired asked in wonder as she couldn’t quit remember what the flower meant.

“Because It´s a plant that live of others and symbolize that we are all a part of something bigger and need each other to survive!”

“I hope he gets that message!” Gaara said, as he gave the medic a beautiful sunflower.
“For Naruto-kun!” He handed her the flower with a small blush and went back to sit next to his older brother who grinned at the red-headed Kage.

Konohamaru and Kiba gave her sunflowers for Naruto as well and Iruka brought two daffodils; one for each of his former students.

“Thank you… I´m sure that they both appreciate your concern,” she smiled happily and bowed.
“You should go home and get some rest… you wont be able to see Naruto or Sasuke for a few hours at least.” They all nodded as she went back in and closed the door behind her.

~ # ~

Sasuke drew himself closer to the unconscious blonde next to him and looked at his face’s features.
´He’s so beautiful… now more than ever,´ he realized that he didn’t want to leave the Dobe´s side ever again.

He could hear Sakura´s voice, as she stated that her patients needed a few hours of peace and rest to someone at the door.

“Naruto, come back… come back to me!” He whispered into the blonde’s ear and drew in his scent with a deep breath. “I need you!” The blonde’s scent was addictive and Sasuke soon rested his head on Naruto´s chest. He could feel the slow but regular heartbeat and followed the rise and fall of his chest. It had a calming effect on the raven-haired male and made him feel safe. It was as if the whole world had come to and end and that Sasuke only lived to lie here; right next to his Dobe.

~ # ~

“What will happen to Sasuke?” Kakashi repeated his question as there was no reaction at first.

“… He’s a traitor and can’t be trusted!” The Aburame stated calmly.

“ But he still helped Uzumaki-san in the fight against Itachi!” Kakashi lied.

“And his bloodline is a great asset to our nation… he’s a strong and skilled shinobi and it would be an advantage to have him on our side!” Shikimaru concluded.

“Hmmm… I would say that he should be allowed back… but it would probably be wise to put him under surveillance at all times and then look at his behavior at regular terms to see if he’s still able to be loyal to us.” Neji leaned forward to read Kakashi´s reaction.

“I suggest he shouldn’t be allowed on active duty for at least six months and that he shall have a guardian who’s able to keep an eye on him at all times!” The Aburame crossed his arms above his chest and leaned his back on the chair.

“Sounds reasonable to me… all who favors that Uchiha Sasuke will be allowed back as a citizen of Konoha raise their hands!” The Hokage said and felt happy as all seemed to accept.

“And who favors that Sasuke is not allowed back on active duty for six month and will be appointed a guardian to keep him under surveillance?”
Everyone raised their hands once more.

“Alright… It´s settled then… we will review the Uchiha´s case monthly to discuss his future!” Tsunade was very pleased with the outcome of this meeting. Her blonde was finally acknowledged as the hero he was and was well on his way to become her successor and Sasuke was finally back were he belonged. All she wished for now was that Naruto would wake up and return to his usual cheerful self.

~ # ~

Crimson eyes widened as Sasuke felt a change in Naruto´s heartbeat. He struggled to use his arms lift his acing body from the blonde’s and stared as he saw Naruto´s face. His eyes were moving behind the closed eyelids and his lips slightly parted and moving as if he wanted to say something.

“… Sas… ke?” Sasuke almost screamed of joy as he heard the blonde whisper is name.

“I´m here… Naruto… I´m right here with you!” He wrapped his arms around the blonde’s neck and kissed his whiskered cheek.

“WHAT`S GOING ON HERE?” Sakura almost tore the curtain of It´s frame as she dragged it aside.
“He’s waking up! Naruto is waking up!” Sasuke cried tears of joy and relief and just kept on staring into confused blue orbs.

“…Where?” The blonde managed to ask as his mouth was feeling like he had been eating sand all day and ha was almost strangled as the person next to him hugged him so tightly that he couldn’t breathe properly.

“You’re home, o-nii chan…home! “ Sakura´s eyes were filled with tears as well as she grabbed Sasuke by his shoulders and drag him away form the blonde to allow him to breathe.

Naruto only stared at them with a sad look in his eyes.
“Where is Itachi?” He asked.

“Don´t worry about that now, O-nii chan… and besides; look who we managed to bring back home too!” The pink-haired said as she finally released her hold off the raven-haired youth.

“Sasuke?” The blonde whispered as he was once more embraced by the last Uchiha. His and Sakura´s eyed widened in surprise as Sasuke suddenly kissed Naruto´s lips lovingly.

#Next chapter will probably be up at the end of the week... pls tell me what you think of this fic upto now. Oh and gomen for all the spelling and grammar mistakes - haven´t got a beta on this one and English isn´t my main(but 3rd) language X3