Twisting Fate

The Antagonizing Uchiha

Sasuke blankly stares at the Third Hokage, not sure he heard right. "Are you asking me to stay here? Are you asking me to stay here and look after you?" It was so absurd to even hear it coming front the Third's mouth. For a second there, Sasuke wonders if he dreamt that entire thing or if he really was just going insane from the lack of human contact for the last couple of weeks. It wouldn't be that far out of the realm of possibilities. Perhaps Sasuke isn't even in the Hidden Leaf right now. Perhaps he's in the middle of the forest, delirious from fever, talking to trees right now for all he knows.

"Yes," Hiruzen says, as if they were talking about the weather and not someone who hadn't stepped foot into the Leaf in years suddenly becoming the protector of the Third Hokage.

Sasuke snorts, leaning his weight on one hip and glaring at the old man. "Are you insane?" He asks, staring down at the man, then he asks again, "Are you really insane?" He shakes his head in exasperation. If no one else was going to ask the question, then he was.

Hiruzen smiles. "What's so insane about this? I thought I was being very clear about why I was doing this. You are a child of this village, Sasuke, named after my father, and have a very special gift. Whether you meant to do it or not, you have been helping the people of our village by keeping the citizens safe, and making sure their protectors and their family return home safe from the front line. That's enough for me."

Any protest that Sasuke had dies at his throat. He looks around the front gate leading to the Hokage's tower. He's trying to find any reason he can to get out of this. Sure, he can fight his way out, and maybe he'll win, but is it really worth it? Is it really worth walking around living a mundane, boring lifestyle that he's been living for what feels like forever, when it's only been a couple of weeks? But yes, it felt like forever.

But what would Sasuke do here? 'Protect the Hokage'? What did that even mean? The man didn't leave the village. Like, at all. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to follow the old man around whenever he leaves the village, but there is a certain level of freedom that Sasuke is used to, if he's forced to stay in this village - in that office - all day, everyday. He'll go mad.

Naruto may have been okay with subjecting himself to that hell but that wasn't how Sasuke wanted to die. Not that he had much to live for, but it didn't mean that he was going to just throw his life away. Or maybe he is. But he doesn't want to. And to be honest, he doesn't really know what he wants anymore.

His life was a hot mess.

"I can't stay here," Sasuke says, taking a step back from the Third. "I don't belong here. I can't be village bound, it's not for me. I appreciate the offer, but I have to decline."

The Third looks nonplussed, taking a moment to look around at the shops behind Sasuke, trying to get his thoughts in order. Sasuke didn't think he said anything surprising, but maybe there was something in his voice that gave way to his internal turmoil. Sasuke wouldn't doubt it, he didn't have much control over himself anymore, it seems.

"Is it about wanting to be out in the field?" Minato asks, glancing over at the Third. "Forgive me, my lord, for butting in." The Third gestures for him to continue. Sasuke has to guess the Third will overlook just about anything to keep Sasuke close.

Sasuke shakes his head. "I've been on my own for a long time. It's not like I feel some sort of Leaf-pride. It's more me, than them. Not that I much care for them."

Minato nods, ignoring that last bit and stepping up next to the Third. "I understand. It's hard to give up freedom. I'm sure something can be worked out, right my lord? Besides, someone of Sasuke's talents, even without the use of his eyes - both Sharingan and Rinnegan - would be useful on the battlefield. His kenjutsu is top notch, may even be close to rivaling that of Kushina. It can be at his own discretion with his eyes. I'm not so sure the chances of him running into the absolute need to use them will be too great. At least, not that I can perceive."