Let It Burn: Life [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 41

Out of everyone who followed Sakura from Konoha to hunt down the Uchiha, Kiba was the most upset over the fact that Team 7 had confronted the rogue without him. After all, he had been the one to locate their enemy, doing all the tracking. And as thanks he was knocked unconscious. The tantrum was almost amusing. Almost. The sight of them reminded Mai of what their true intentions had been. That they had lied to Naruto and her faces. Kakashi and Yamato noticed how the teen distanced herself on the way back, not even bothering to join conversation. Even Naruto couldn't get a verbal response except a nod. The mask was also back in place, which wasn't a good sign.

Returning to Konoha the Jounins peeled off to take the rogue Sakura healed to Ibiki for questioning. Her name was Karin. One of Sasuke's new teammates. Why he tried to kill her when she had been an asset, they didn't know. They only wished to know how much she knew about the Uchiha and Akatsuki. Their plans were of the up most importance.

Meanwhile, Mai found herself following Naruto and Sakura further into the construction of the Village after Kiba, Rock Lee, and Sai. It wasn't difficult to find the rest of their friends hanging around a section of cut lumber, all on break from guarding the Leaf. Those that stayed behind were relieved to see them back and unharmed. Immedaitely, they wished to know what had happened beyond the wall. It was Naruto who explained the events, but left out their first encounter with Madara at the inn. Including the truth of Itachi. No one could know, as Kakashi had said. It was too dangerous to allow information such as that to be whispered freely amongst the population without concrete proof.

The teams listened silently, but through the mask the Be Fong could see that none were pleased with where this story was heading. Clearly, war was upon them. But it was the fact that Naruto had been unable to stop Sasuke that did not sit well. Nor the words he spoke next as a silence settled over the group.

"You want to fight Sasuke on your own?" Tenten yelled in anger. "And you really think we'll go along with that?"

"Tenten's right," Neji spoke up. "Naruto, we can't go along with your selfishness."

"You said you'd explain when we got back and this all you have to say?" Kiba exclaimed in irritation. "We were prepared to kill Sasuke, you know!"

"I'm not being selfish," Naruto stated calmly.

"Hey, Naruto," Shikamaru spoke up. "You're not just saying you'll fight Sasuke in order to protect him, are you?"

"No, I have no plans in doing that."

After witnessing Sasuke's actions and listening to his resolve, the Genin had no intention of sweeping this under the rug.

"If Sasuke was that weak after the Five Kage Summit and his fight with Danzo, why didn't you just finish him off?" Neji asked.

"Madara was there too!" Sakura defended. "It wasn't that easy!"

"You still shouldn't have just let him get away!" Kiba pressed. "Naruto, you're strong. You're the hero who defeated Pein! Sasuke should be no problem."

"That's not true," the teen answered. "I wouldn't have been able to defeat him. I knew that much."

"What do you mean?" Choji asked.

Naruto ignored the question, continuing with, "Anyway, no one else can fight Sasuke. I'm the only one who can fight him, that's all."

"What the hell happened?" Neji demanded to know. "Tell me."

"I'll tell you when the time comes," was his answer. "Anyway, I'm hungry! So I'm gonna head over to Ichiraku!"

When he was gone, Ino growled in frustration, whirling on the one person who had stayed quiet the entire time.