Naruto: Varying ideals

Ch-16

"Kiba...he is-"

"You woke up Sasuke kun!" Before Neji could speak the doctors along with Itachi entered the tent with some more medical equipments. "Sasuke, meet her she is Shizune san. One of the best medic that exists" said Itachi as he introduced Shizune.

"Oh no I still have a long way to go" she continued "So Sasuke...how does your leg feel?".
"It pains only when I try to move it but otherwise it doesn't hurt" he replied.

Shizune examined his leg carefully while everyone looked at her "He has crushed your thighs. It will take some time but even after a full recovery you won't be able to use your kicks" she said. "How long till his legs recover completely?" Asked Itachi to which Shizune replied "about two to three months" tension was visible in Sasuke's eyes as he looked at his brother "That long!" He exclaimed.

"I am giving you approximations...it might take even longer. What I can say right now is just focus on recovery" she said.

"NEJI!"

Neji and Hinata's eyes widened as they heard the familiar voice. They quickly hid behind the group as Hiashi, Gaara along with an unknown masked man entered. "Hiashi sa-"

"Where is Neji and Hinata?" He overspoke Itachi.
Just then he spotted Hinata at the corner of his eye "Hinata!" He exclaimed looking at her. As Hinata was spotted Neji too came out of his hiding "So you are here too huh" said Hiashi as he walked towards them.

"You both were ill right? I had my suspicion as to how did both of you get fever at the same time but I ignored it" he said as Neji sweat-dropped. Seeing Neji covered in bandages Hiashi asked "For last few weeks these bandages have become your friends haven't they?".

"Itachi I told you that Neji is no longer in your group but you still-" before Hiashi could say Neji spoke "No Hiashi sama he didn't know anything about me" he continued "I-I wanted to visit Sasuke after yesterday's loss of Gai sama but then I saw some gathering at his house so I thought-"

"You thought let me join them huh" Hiashi said to which Neji sweat-dropped "N-no I just...I just wanted to ask them what was going on but then they started moving somewhere so I followed them and then what I see?! I see them infiltrating the guard post. I used my Byakugan to keep an eye on them and so quickly the things went south. If I and Hinata wouldn't have been there then even Sasuke would be dead" Neji bit his tongue as he realised what he just said.

The whole room went silent as they stole a look at Sasuke whose eyes were wider than ever. "Why Itachi?" Hiashi walked to him "why did you send them for the mission" anger was visible in Hiashi's eyes "it is a risky mission even for adults and you sent two small kids! Are you insane! What did you think would have happened?. We lost a dear child...someone who had a great future had he trained more. I have no right to interfere in your group's decisions but this!...this is not acceptable Itachi. As a leader, every comrades death falls into your hands. Their smiles, memories you had with them...they all haunt you. Moreover Kiba was your student....how are you going to repent for this sin" Itachi's head was down as he had no words to say. Finally someone had said on his face. Now that he had heard it he couldn't help but breakdown a little as a tears escaped from his eyes.

Everyone sobbed as they saw tears in their leader's eyes. "No no" Sasuke said in low voice as he looked at Itachi "Nii-san this is all lies isn't it?. You said everyone is good didn't you? Nii-san" getting no response from his brother was his biggest answer. "K-Kiba.." Sasuke remembered his friend. A loud cry escaped from Sasuke's mouth as he started banging his fists on the bed "this is all because of me!"

"No no Sasuke don't blame yourself" Neji tried to comfort him but Sasuke was very deep in his sorrow "It's not your fault Nii-san" he said as tears trailed down his eyes "The plan was going perfectly but I...I decided to peep into one of their barracks and got caught. If I had sticked to the plan Kiba...he would not have died.".