Okay, new story!! This is an AU that involves a great deal of Narutoverse tweaking, so don't be surprised if things are not lined up with the manga or anime. Also, big, huge THANK YOU to Juniper11, who so thoughtfully beta'd this for me. Enjoy!
Type: Mystery/Romance
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Pairing: ItaSaku, other minor relationships
World: Alternate Universe
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any persons, places or other miscellaneous odds and ends attributed to the show or manga.
Chapter 1: Contract
It was snowing; the tiny shards of ice falling softly onto the thick blanket of snow that had already accumulated. The wind blew softly through the trees, and night began to creep across the dark gray sky. It was in this setting that Uchiha Itachi allowed his body to relax for the first time in nearly fifteen years. The tenseness of his muscles slowly melted away, leaving him feeling languid and at peace. He was lying under the shelter of a large pine tree, watching the world slowly lose all color. It was alright though, because he himself had long ago lost the ability to see the pigments in the environment around him. In fact, as his body shut down, Itachi realized he couldn't see at all.
The fight with his brother had been a long one, but this too had been in the Uchiha genius' master plan. The only way to remove one's name from the Akatsuki roster was to die, and with a bit of help from one Hoshigake Kisame, Itachi had managed to do just that. The shark man was not entirely sold on the idea of Itachi going on alone, but Itachi had insisted that his partner not follow, for the death of one Akatsuki was explainable, but two was suspicious. Itachi smirked at the thought of Kisame explaining how the most powerful Nin in the organization was dead.
He coughed harshly, unable to bring even a hand up to cover the dirtied blood that flew from his lips. The disease that ravaged his body was taking him to hell, and Itachi decided that if anything, he belonged there. The cold around him was mercifully removing his ability to feel; taking the sharp pain from his chest and leaving him numb. He closed his tired eyes and smiled.
'I am finished. I have served my purpose and I am ready.'
Perhaps fate was laughing uproariously, for at that moment Itachi sensed several bodies surrounding him. His body was frozen, but he could detect inhuman chakra beginning to bring warmth back into his body. There was a soft snuffle, and as the young heir strained to hear any noises that would clue him into whom had decided to save him, he sensed a massively powerful chakra just inches from his prone body. He felt nothing as his hands were numb, but his nose picked up the scent of forest and fur, warmth and freedom.
"What have you done to yourself, boy? I thought we had a deal." The voice was rough and commanding, and while Itachi was drifting away, his training forced him to answer.
"I believe our contract is severed when I die, Fuyu." A snort.
"Ah, but you are no good to me dead." Itachi heard no more after that, for all at once it was warm and he suddenly forgot where, whom, and what he was.
Haruno Sakura loved the snow. She loved the crisp feeling of the winter wind on her face and the clean scent of it biting at her nose. She loved looking out over the expanse of her home and seeing the beauty and glory of the pristine whiteness that covered it. She was bundled up in her red parka and pink mittens, waddling along the slushy roads towards the Hokage building. While she loved winter and all that it entailed, she did not like getting up at four in the morning to answer her leader's call. In all likeliness it was Tsunade wanting more sake. Sakura believed that the woman was only alive because her expert healing abilities kept her liver from shutting down from all the alcohol it was forced to process. It was sad really, but then again Tsunade was a terror to work with if she wasn't at least slightly tipsy.
The red and pink patterned scarf that was wound around Sakura's neck came out of the parka's comfy hold at that moment, fluttering like a banner behind the pink haired girl. Sakura groaned and reached for it, winding it slowly back around her throat, knowing that if it got ruined Ino would roast her alive.
Ino did not like to do girly things, but once she had taken it into her head to knit, the blonde had knit and knit until everyone she knew had something. Sakura, Sai and Naruto had gotten scarves, Shikamaru, Neji, Shino and Chouji had gotten mittens, Kiba, Hinata and Tenten had gotten blankets… and so on. And because of her time consuming efforts, Ino had threatened each friend with terrible deaths if any of her creations was ruined. Sakura smiled smugly to herself. She wasn't afraid of Ino's threats--she'd never concede to being inferior to the blonde kunoichi, though it was a nice scarf and she really didn't want anything to happen to it.
Once the kunoichi made it past the threshold of the cold building, she sighed softly and reached for a paper lantern that sat in a small alcove just to the left of the entrance. The power in this district had apparently gone out sometime during the night, and without power Sakura feared that it would be a long, cold day. From the looks of the weather outside, it didn't seem inclined to lighten up any time soon. She lit up a match and watched her breath become frozen puffs in the dim light.
It was slow going up to Tsunade's office, but once Sakura made it, she was surprised to see a feeble light streaming from the miniscule crack under the heavy door. What was more; she heard harsh voices from the other side.
"The hell you are! Get out of here before I rip the teeth from your jaws! My kunoichi are not for sale, and you make sure to tell him that!"
Tsunade was sure worked up about whatever the guest in her office was saying. Sakura strained to sense the other person, but could only pick up a trace of foreign chakra. Either he was very weak, or….
"My Lady, I have not come to upset you. I am only here to relay his offer. It would be in the best interest of the village for you to take it. You have three days to decide."
There was a distinct pop, as though a summons had disappeared. Sakura composed herself and knocked gently upon the door.
"Come in!" came the sharp bark. Sakura hesitantly opened the door, peaking around the edge as though afraid of losing her head. Tsunade was sitting in her old worn chair, a bottle of sake in one hand and her forehead in the other. Sakura quietly stepped into the room and stood patiently, knowing that when she was ready, Tsunade would acknowledge her. There was a harsh sigh, and when Sakura looked over, she was alarmed to see weariness upon Tsunade that seemed to age her more than her jutsu could cover. She was slumped, and all of the power and strength she had once exuded seemed to have left her.
"Sakura, I know you've been working very hard for the past few months at the hospital, so I have decided to put you on temporary leave." Sakura gasped, unable to phantom not being allowed to do the work that she loved dearly. Strong words poured from her mouth before she could stop them, knowing her volatile mentor would not appreciate them.
"No, Lady Tsunade! I don't want to stop now; there are too many patients whom I need to see! I love my work and I-"
"Don't presume to tell me what to think, girl! Now sit down. It's too cold for you to be pacing about like that." Sakura huffed and sat down in one of the chairs opposite the desk, settling her eyes on the darkness outside. Every once in awhile, snow would glimmer off the light shimmering through the windows drawing the young woman's attention and momentarily distracting her from the command she had just been issued. The blonde leader sighed at the forlorn look on her apprentice's face.
"You have been putting too much strain in your body; I see too much exhaustion in your face." Tsunade offered by way of partial explanation, even though she knew the young girl was not entitled to it. "Now, you will not argue with me, Sakura. You're going to take what I hand you and you will not complain. Is that understood?"
"…Yes ma'am."
"Good. Now, there is a set of scrolls in the restricted section of the library. I need for you to retrieve and study them."
"You want me to research scrolls?" Sakura's brow furrowed quizzically.
"These aren't just any scrolls, Haruno. These scrolls hold the oldest and most powerful contracts in existence. They contain the roots and bases that have built up the strongest families in the entire Five Nations." Sakura's eyes widened.
"Marriage contracts? But why would you need those? We haven't used that kind of binding in four hundred years."
"There is a new development in the treaties we've been working on with some of the last remaining villages. These contracts are essential to make sure that no loop hole is missed. I want you to look them over, but do not share your findings with anyone but me. Not even Naruto is allowed to know what you are working on, is that clear?" Sakura nodded.
"But why me? Isn't Shikamaru more suited to research?"
"Never mind why I've chosen you. Besides, you retain what you learn better than any of the others. I want you to be thorough. You have this next week off to do the research. I'll expect a report in two days. You begin now."
"But the library is closed! It's only five thirty in the morning!"
"No excuses! Now be gone!" Sakura huffed but bowed in respect, taking herself off to begin work as quickly as possible.
Tsunade felt the throb in her skull begin to grow. The sake wasn't working as well as it had at one time, and now she had a very nosy kunoichi to deal with. It wouldn't be long until Sakura came across the contract of the Wolves. The ache became a borderline migraine, and just as the older woman was contemplating going back to the warmth of her bed, a slight knock of the glass panel behind her resounded in the room.
Hatake Kakashi sat crouched on the sill, awaiting an invitation to enter. Tsunade jerked her head and the Jounin slid into the room.
"You wished to see me?" He asked around a pointed yawn. Tsunade grunted her assent.
"Yes, over an hour ago when it was urgent!" The silver haired man only snorted and rubbed his gloved hands together.
"Well, what can I do for you, M'lady?"
"Tell me about the Wolf Clan and their contractors." Kakashi became so still that Tsunade almost believed she'd shocked him.
"Why would you want to know about that?" Kakashi asked cautiously.
"Because the Hatake Clan was originally their pact partners, up until your father died. Your family knows more about them than even the Inuzuka."
"They are a fierce Clan, only creating contracts with those they deem worthy. Only three Clans have ever been able to make a blood pact."
"Yes, I know of two. The Hatake and the Inuzuka. Who is the last?"
"The Uchiha."
Sakura had finally made it up to the large building that housed thousands of books and scrolls. After giving a signed missive to the thin and slightly condescending librarian who apparently lived in the library, Sakura made her way to the tower that housed all of the Forbidden and Ancient Scrolls. She waited impatiently while the librarian spoke with the two guards in front of the double doors.
She wanted to know what Lady Tsunade was so secretive about. Surely it had to be something juicy if it had to do with marriage contracts. Such things were rarely used anymore, but when they were, the blood and sheer power of the ancient promise lasted for all time. In fact, all of the Clans with Kekkei Genkai were blood bound, but the actual contracts had not been initiated since the births of those families.
Once she had finally been able to access the storage room, Sakura felt an excitement wash over her. She loved to study history, and it seemed that these scroll were doused in it. According to Lady Tsunade's directions, the Marriage scrolls were located in the last section before the wide windows on the north side.
The room was dark, dusty, and cold as the only light to permeate the darkness came from Sakura's lone lantern. The sun had not yet arisen behind the thick clouds outside, so Sakura stumbled and fumbled her way around miscellaneous stacks of old books, scattered scrolls, and boxes upon boxes whose contents were not visible. As she finally came to her destination, she was coughing from the dust she'd kicked up in her movement. She waved a hand in front of her face in vain trying to clear the air. Realizing that her endeavor was useless, she allowed her eyes to scan for the correct kanji. She found that her mission was going to be much easier than she thought as she grasped the documents that she had been searching for.
Sakura took the scrolls out of storage, and brought them to a table in the adjoining room where she spread them out carefully. There were five scrolls, each bearing the mark of one of the Great Nations. All of the scrolls were tightly sealed by protective jutsu, which was surprising. It wasn't as if these items hid dangerous secrets… or did they? Sakura snorted at her own fanciful thoughts and reached for the first set of scrolls. It was red, with the mark of the Leaf of its cover.
"The land of Fire it is, then."
"-And you're sure there is no other way to break it?"
"These terms were put into the contract to ensure that the contractor and the Summons had balance. These are the rules. I never had this problem, as the Dog Clan is much easier to deal with. They only ask a few simple things and will come at your will. I am sure the Slug Clan is the same."
"Yes, but nothing so… so…"
"Dangerous? Invasive? Creative? There was a reason I resisted the contract. I was not suited to the demands of the Wolves, and they do not accept anyone they deem to be weak."
"Hatake Kakashi, weak is not a word I would associate with you." Kakashi chuckled darkly.
"There are many definitions for that word. You'd be surprised at the expectations within the contract. Again, why in the world would you want to know about the Wolf Summons?" Tsunade eyed Kakashi critically, knowing that this man was more trustworthy than any other person she knew, besides Jiraiya.
"I got a message from the Yukikage concerning a pact…"
Sakura scanned the contents of the scroll holding all information from the land of Water. It was the same as Fire; rules, marriages, a list of names and families, even a sub list of summons and their tacked regulations. However, one section stood out. It was from the land of Snow, and it seemed to be the best lead for information. It was information on a contract between the Wolf Summoning Clan and an ancient human Clan whose name was blurred from the paper.
"… and the Wolf Clan demanded a high price for the Blood-Binding. The heir of the Clan must submit himself to the Wolves. He must become one of them and prove his worth, and the female he marries must also stand a trial. It is written that he who can create a blood-bond with the Wolves wields the power of the wolves themselves…"
It cut off there, but Sakura was intrigued. It was unheard of for such an interaction between humans and their Summons. Usually the Summons demanded nothing more than a simple prick of the finger to seal the promise, but this seemed much deeper. Sakura kept reading, but the mentioning of the contract became fewer. It wasn't until much later that she came across something that had her blood running cold.
"…The only way to keep peace with the land of Fire is to take a bride of noble blood from Konoha. She must possess a Kekkei Genkai and be of good breeding. This is the only true way to prevent war between Water and Fire, as well as maintain a balance between them. A bride must be chosen within the first two years of the Yukikage's rise to power."
There were only two kunoichi in Konoha who could possible fit that bill. Hyuga Hinata and Yamanaka Ino. They were of noble blood and both possessed their family's Kekkei Genkai. Surely Lady Tsunade wouldn't force a marriage out of one of them, would she?
So, here it is: first chapter of my new fic. Tell me what you think, and I'd love some thoughts as to who what when where and why!
-Wolf