A/N: AU fic with the theme of Sci-Fi for the KakaSaku LJ community's month of June challenge. :) First chapters are always slow, but I hope it didn't move too slowly. I gathered inspirations from various video games/tv shows/music. It is my first time writing sci-fi, so please, don't judge too quickly. ^^ All typos are my fault. xD
Escape to the Stars
Chapter 1: Time is Over
Everything's over, the world is over
The way we are, the where we are, the time is over
- 시간이 멈춘 날 Time Is [L]over by Jang Woo Hyuk
"Captain Morino! Captain Morino!" A young man's voice was shouting through the endless blinding white hallways as he ran as fast as he could. He bumped into countless of civilians that were aboard the starship as he made his way to the bridge, the floor where the captain was sure to be found at. He jammed his finger impatiently into the elevator button. This was critical news, he had to tell the Captain immediately, if he didn't...He couldn't bear to think what the consequences would be if the Captain didn't receive the news.
The elevator doors hissed and slowly pulled apart, the young subordinate stepped in and jammed his finger to close the doors quickly. It only took a mere 5 seconds to pass the first floor, a total of 30 seconds to reach the bridge. His chestnut bangs clung to his forehead which was covered in sweat. He was panting from running too fast, but it was urgent, very urgent indeed.
"Captain Morino!" His breaths were still broken as he trailed closer to the man in charge. "Captain Morino, I come with very important news. Airship 602 has crashed; the mothership reported it just a few minutes ago. We need back-up, ASAP."
"Fuck," the captain took a cigarette to his mouth, "Who was on that ship and did they survive?" Captain Morino was a man whose looks didn't sound as nice as his name. He was gruff, tough and scars ran all over his face. It was said that an enemy ship was booby-trapped with fire and he had no choice but to run through the scorching flames for it was his only escape. He stood tall and proud to serve for his officials, but his eyes spoke a different approach, intimidating, extremely private and isolated.
Suddenly a loud alarm went off and the inside of the ship was flashing with red. Everyone scrambled to their assigned positions. Many times they did this drill and many of the ship's inhabitants were veterans. They didn't collapse under pressure; this wasn't their first bump in the ship.
One voice could be heard throughout the intercom, "The MATS are here! We've been breached! I repeat, the MATS have invaded Hiruzen! Civilians, please report to the designated areas where the escapepods lie! Soldiers, godspeed!" The young woman's voice ceased afterwards as static reverberated through the speakers.
•••
"Team 7, report to the Lieutenant's office. Team 7, report to the Lieutenant's office at once!"
"Aww, man! I'm sure that I didn't do anything wrong on the last test!" A blond-headed male groaned in frustration. He was a frisky-looking childish man who had three lines adorned on each cheek. Those were his clan's markings; they had abilities that could rival a fox. They were missing only one important feature, the reddish and bushy fox tail. His baby blue eyes spoke truth and were tainted with experiences of hardships. He didn't take this path for nothing, and every road had its steep hills.
"Naruto, quit your whining." The sharp voice seemed to be the only voice that Naruto, the passionate blond-haired man, listened to at times.
"But, Sasuke! Did we do something wrong to be called at the Lieutenant's office? She's probably going to string us up and torture us 'till we die or something!" Naruto's tanned fingers started to yank small pieces of his obscenely bright golden hair.
"Naruto." Abyssal eyes pierced into Naruto's eyes. A tiny but nervous chuckle escaped from Naruto as he lowered his fingers from his hair. Sasuke had violet-tinted black hair that seemed to be spiked up in the back the majority of the time. His eyes always held a dark, gloomy feeling in them but Naruto didn't care. As much as he hated to admit it, he trusted Sasuke.
"Ahem," an older man cleared his throat to get the attention of his two teammates. "Naruto, Sasuke, shall we visit the Lieutenant's office now?" The older man held one eye to observe the two youthful subordinates. Their leader was a very odd man. Silver hair that pointed in all directions, it was rumored that his hair defies gravity; his left eye is covered by an eye-patch that comes in a variety of different colors. Another quirk to add to his list of oddity, he is constantly seen with a little orange book. That orange book has no title, no picture and no one knows what is written in the pages. Since they live in a time where computers and paper is nowhere to be seen, everyone assumes he must be old, way old.
"Leader Hatake!" Both of the younger men bowed their heads and saluted in position. All the leader had to do was nod his head and the two men were at ease. Their footsteps faded away as they began their journey towards the office where they were summoned.
•••
"Sakura, I assure you it's for a good cause!"
"No, there is no possible way that I'm accompanying a team! I'm just a healer, I heal people. I don't fight, defend or heal people during combat. I became a healer to help people survive, not to be placed in the frontlines of war!" A pink-haired woman with vivid jade-colored eyes slammed her fist against the cold, steel medical table.
"Sakura, it's The Queen's order. You have to follow her orders, or else you'll be sent to prison!" The dark-haired woman grabbed her upper forearm. "Listen to me, it won't be for long! Just a month, that's all! I need to find out if it'll help the chances of our soldiers returning home. Please, Sakura? For me?" A shy smile appeared on the woman's lips.
"Fine, fine," Sakura whipped her arm out of the woman's grasp. "I'll go, Shizune, for you," She sighed with a light tap on her forehead. "You owe me a lot of hours of vacation when I come back." She pointed a finger at Shizune who in return gave a very happy nod.
'Stupidity at its finest.' She shook her head as she walked away from the medical lab and proceeded to the elevator doors. "It's only a month, huh?" She muttered underneath her breath, there were so many reasons why just a month could cause problems for her, so many reasons. She placed another hand on her forehead as she waited for the doors to open and take her to the Lieutenant's headquarters.
•••
The three-man team stood in the wake of the largely high steeled double-doors. It was their first time to be summoned by the head honcho of the flying civilianized ship. The Lieutenant's assistant who was a perky and gossip-motor mouth female blond clad in a purple tube top and miniskirt.
A loud chewing noise smacked out of the assistant's lips, "They'll be right with you." She gave a sly smile and continued to run her mouth to the recipient on the other end of the earpiece.
"T-they? We're seeing the whole council?" Naruto's frown lopsided, half of his mouth was hanging out. He was panicking; his hands were literally shaking with fear - not excitement.
"Naruto, just calm down. We're probably being assigned to a ship, a real starship." A smirk appeared on Sasuke's face. It was rare to see such a facial expression on his face, one that was itching to be placed in front of danger.
The silent leader stood behind them, reading or staring at his book. He wanted to get in, receive the information and then get out. How hard could it be? Not to mention, that creepy purple covered assistant kept eyeing him. He was not comfortable. He could see the name on her nametag was Ino Y. The Y probably stood for Yamanaka, one of the richest members of the council. Great.
"Oh, the council is ready to see you now! Good luck!" The light ring in Ino's voice scared Naruto even more. The double steeled doors creaked open.
"M-man, do we have to go inside?" Sasuke pushed his younger teammate and the older man joined right behind them.
Their footsteps echoed throughout the vast and metallic room. Bunches of screens were plastered all over the ceiling; they would float to and fro wherever they wanted to. Naruto stood in amazement at the technology that wasn't disclosed to the rest of the mothership, it was an once-in-a-lifetime chance to be called to the Lieutenant's conference room and have the whole government council present. Just what did they do to earn this honor?
They stopped their ascent up the spiraled stairs until they reached the center of the room and stepped onto a circular platform. Once all the three men stood in the center of the platform, steel bars caged the exit. They were trapped until all information that would be passed is understood. Twelve hover chairs took their places in a clockwise position. One by one, each council member arrived in their respective seats via teleportation.
In a clockwise fashion, starting from the 1'o'clock direction, twelve individuals appeared in order: Jiraiya taking the first seat, a pale man with a vibe that screamed 'stay away from me or I'll kill you' Orochimaru, the two brothers who believed in peace but had the most reasonable voice in the council, Hashirama and Tobirama followed by the wise man of his age Hiruzen, although he was the elder of the committee The Queen was smart to heed his advice. At the halfway mark sat two people who happened to be very close with the team leader, Obito was the main Lieutenant of the ship and Rin was the assistant supervisor of the medical unit; Inoichi, Ino's father was head of the Strategic Defense division, his seat next to him was supposed to be Captain Morino of the Military Force but he was unavailable to attend this meeting as more pressing matters sought his attention. Second-in-Command and the neighbor to Morino's seat was Commander Anko Mitarashi , Shizune, the supervisor of the medical unit sat beside Anko. In the 12'o'clock position sat The Queen Tsunade, she made sure she was the main focal point by sitting right in front of their eyes.
"State your name, clan and rank." A crisp tone emitted from The Queen's throat. This was purely business.
A shift in his stance and he leveled out his posture, "Kakashi Hatake, Hatake clan of Lightning Speed, Leader of Team 7." A straightened hand touched his forehead in salutation.
"Sasuke Uchiha, Uchiha clan of Hypnosis, cadet of Team 7."
"Naruto Uzumaki, Uzumaki clan of Nine-Tailed Fox, cadet of Team 7." The lower ranked men copied their leader's actions.
"Thank you. You may relax now." Her voice lost the sharp tone it had earlier. The men nodded their heads in her response and casually stood in front of their Highness.
"I have beckoned your aid for we have lost Airship 602. As you can see, Captain Morino is unavailable to attend this meeting for he is currently fending off an invasion of MATS. Hatake, you and your cadets are going to be positioned lead of an airship. However, you will be getting an additional team member. It will most likely be a healer. She will join your party tomorrow at 0700 hours, please do not be late. You are also to depart at that time as well. You will be informed of the mission details once you are aboard the ship."
"As you wish. What airship is it?"
"Airship Ichiraku. Does the council agree that I have chosen the right team to lead in Airship 602's place?"
Various murmurs of yes, nodded heads and a few chuckles surrounded the solitary conference room.
"You are dismissed. Hatake, 0700 hours." Her amber eyes glared right into the lone onyx eye. A shiver went down his spine. He nodded his head and saluted before her.
The steel bars that permitted them from leaving the platform now disappeared. The squad of three descended down the spiral case of the mirrored stairs. The council members' teleported away as no more pressing matters were to be held in the conference room.
"So, we're going to be on a starship for real?" Naruto's grin of excitement could be hardly contained.
"It seems so. We're also gaining an extra team member," Kakashi's voice was laced with indifference. He really didn't care who was going to join his team. He wanted to do his mission, protect his team mates and then come right back home.
The war between the MATS and the rest of the residents of Oturanian Universe was heavily followed. Most families pushed their children to fight for peace; there was really no other career a parent would have been proud of unless it was cadet, soldier or a medic. Unfortunately, their children did pursue that path and the ones who couldn't handle it made it alive in combat. There was nothing special about fighting, killing another person. That type of blood stayed on their hands, it didn't matter how many times they tried to wash it out. Mentally, becoming a pawn for your universe was a straight path to insanity.
"Yeah, who would have thought we're getting a new member?" A cheesy smile was plastered on the Fox-boy's face. "You think we're going to get a girl?" Hearts suddenly took the place of his eyes.
"Idiot, why does it matter if it's a girl or not?" A huff escaped from the Uchiha's lips.
"It does matter if it's a girl! To finally have a girlfriend, it'd be grand! Ahahaha!" The hearty laugh was followed by a fist pump into the air from the over-excited blond.
"Yeah, it just sucks for you that I won't be a girlfriend." A woman clothed in crimson and beige stood in front of them. Her hair was a certain rose-colored. Kakashi looked above his book and set his eyes on the random burst of speech from the woman.
"It's rude to jump into someone else's conversation." The silver-haired leader shifted his attention back to his book in front of the woman.
"It's rude to talk about someone in front of their faces," She huffed and crossed her arms in front of them. "I assume you boys are Team 7?"
"Yeah, yeah, we are Team 7, the new pilots for Airship Ichiraku!" Naruto pounded his chest in a light manner as he smiled in pride.
"Sakura Haruno, your healer," She stuck out her hand and the two younger men shaked her hand. She stood in front of Kakashi with her arm outstretched, "for as long as the mission."
"We'll see you tomorrow at 0700." The older man started to walk away from his cadets and his newly added member. He could already feel it, a headache was coming.
"It was nice to meet you! But we gotta go! See ya tomorrow!" Naruto grabbed Sasuke's hand and ran off to catch up with their team leader.
Sakura stood there with a confused expression on her face. After all that, she felt like she needed a hot cup of java. Maybe she should ask Ino to accompany her? She contemplated on the thought of having company but she sighed as the thought depressed her even more. She wanted, correction, she needed to have some time alone. It wasn't every day that she was asked to tag along with a group that was just getting pushed into the path of danger.
•••
First impressions suck. It also didn't help that first impressions leave a lasting impression. Sakura sighed to herself once again as she sat cuddled up in her white loveseat.
'You're so stupid, Sakura. Stupid! First chance to meet them and you go ahead and bicker with them!' With a groan and a slight shift in positions, she cupped her mug and turned in her chair. She gazed at the stars and with a silly urge; she closed her eyes and wished.
A knock was heard on her door and she quickly rose to her feet. She pressed on the small machine with a speaker box. "Who is it?"
"Sakura, open up, it's me." It was The Queen's voice.
"Y-yes ma'am!" She pressed the red button that granted the visitor access into her room.
She swiftly stood near the entrance of her door to welcome in her superior, but she wasn't alone. She had Shizune, Rin and that dreaded man she argued with.
"Shizune, Rin, my Queen." Sakura bowed her head in respect. She suppose she bowed for the team leader as well, she didn't really know his name. All she knew was that he was a complete ass, that was all to it. She took her place by sitting at her kitchen table, The Queen and Shizune followed her actions.
"Sakura, please meet Kakashi Hatake, your squad's leader. You are to obey his words of authority; there will be no ifs, no buts, and no ors." The Queen's blue jewel embedded in her forehead gleamed as the moonlight in her room hit it.
"Yes ma'am. May I have permission to speak?"
Tsunade nodded her head, "Go ahead."
"Why are Shizune and Rin here?" She stared blankly at her two supervisors.
"It seems that Hatake here was questioning about your abilities. We're simply here to persuade him that he has one of, if not, the best healer we've ever had the privilege of training." Rin giggled as she finished her answer, she looked back at Kakashi. He shifted his stance, putting more pressure on his left leg.
"We got off the wrong foot, which is all. I assure you that I will remain professional from now on." She silently bowed her head in apology.
"Mhm, sure. We just wanted you to talk to each other. It helps if you know a little more about your teammates. After all, you'll be stuck with them for as long as the mission takes." Shizune smiled at Sakura.
'Takes, takes, takes, takes.' The words resounded in her head. Earlier, she had told her that the mission would take about a month. That she only needed to stay with that team for a month. 'When I come back, I'll come back for you.' Sakura sent a small glare to Shizune even if the effort would go unseen.
"Sakura, please rest accordingly. You surely have an eventful day tomorrow. At least, take some time to talk with Hatake. Any questions you have will be answered by him and vice versa. Be friendly with each other." A twitch in the blond's eyebrow showed how serious she was. Sakura barely managed to nod her head quickly.
The two supervisors and The Queen exited her room. Her door whooshed closed and she was left there with Kakashi standing by her kitchen counter. Her lower lip twitched as she rose from her seat at the table and walked back to her loveseat. She positioned herself the way she did before she was interrupted.
"You can have a seat on my bed," the mumbled words were barely heard.
A hum in agreement came from the man's throat as he urged his way to her bed. Her bed size was at least a queen size which made him scoff a bit. Why did she need a queen-sized bed for just herself? The bed sheets were a light gray in color and her covers were a pastel pink color. He almost choked as he saw the colors. It was ironic that her colors of preference just so happened to be their hair colors. Only he noticed these types of details, it was a blessing and a curse all wrapped in a tidy bow.
"I'm sorry we got off the wrong foot. My name is Sakura Haruno, I've trained for at least 10 years to be a healer. I have no clan; I'm a pure human girl." She pushed a strand of her bangs behind her ear.
"So that's why they take special care of you. You're just a measly human. A pure human," he chuckled to himself, "a purebred. You're an odd one no doubt. You probably have a high reproduction rate; we need more women like you to keep the clans alive."
A growl emitted from her as her hands tightly cupped the mug. "I was an orphan; Tsunade was kind enough to take me under her wing." She smiled half-heartedly. She knew it already that it was going to be hard to follow his orders, especially if she knew he wasn't an easygoing person in general.
"Mhm, it must have been nice to be taken and placed in luxury."
"A little bit sour, are we?" She laughed as she set her mug down on the nightstand beside her. "You must know Rin, she laughed at you."
Kakashi moved in his seat, "Yeah, we know each other."
"What is your relationship with her?" She smirked, she liked the juicy details. But she wasn't like her best friend Ino who would blab everything via social networking sites on the internet. She made clear to steer away from the computer.
"It's none of your business." He stated rather harshly.
"Dating?" One of Sakura's eyebrows rose.
Kakashi let out a growl in frustration, "Stop pestering me with useless questions."
"You used to date her. Hmm, I wonder who ended the relationship..." She tapped her pointer finger against her lips. She snapped her fingers as she smiled, "Rin probably did." A brooding expression appeared on Kakashi's lips, "She's dating Obito now, that's why."
Kakashi sighed, women were hard to understand. What he and Rin had was a fantastic relationship; he just didn't know where it went wrong. Wait, he knew what wrong. Obito had liked Rin and she chose him over himself. There really were no hard feelings; Kakashi figured that he wouldn't date again. It was a simple conclusion, really.
"Ah, there are always more fishes in the sea. Don't worry about it." Sakura laughed, "You're pretty handsome though, so I garner you wouldn't stay single for long."
That was enough! Kakashi had enough with the private lives talk. He was here to talk to her about business, not his love life. Sneaky woman. He was going to have a problem indeed. He did what he was the best at, switching topics. "Are you more than capable of handling my team?"
She was shocked by the sudden change of topic but she supposed it was time to get down for business. Sakura nodded her head, "I am more than competent, and I have memorized all the medical information that is needed to remember."
"Do you have any idea who the MATS are, what they are capabale of?"
Sakura sighed, she hung her head lowly. "I have no clue. Care to explain to me?"
"It's a long story but I'll sum it up quickly for you. Basically MATS are Missing AkaTSUki. They were important figures of multiple governments around Oturanian Universe. They were simply mayors of a small civilization. However, one day out of the blue they turned against The Queen and here we are today. Sadly there are lots of cards in play and once we're aboard the Ichiraku, I'll fill the rest of the information with you. I cannot say it here for paranoia reasons." Tiny chuckles escaped his lips as he scratched the back of his cluttered silver hair.
"Ah...okay. I'll see you in the morning then?" She got up from her chair and leaded Kakashi towards her door.
"You might want to come around 0900 hours instead. I tend to be a little late," He gave her a short wink with his right eye as her door swished open and closed.
Once again, she was left standing there like an idiot. 'Men. They sure are weird sometimes.' She proceeded to shut off the kitchen light and head back to her loveseat. She just wanted to stare at the stars in the galaxy. This was her last day at home and she wanted to bask in it.
•••
"I-Itachi? Is that you? What are you doing here?" The older man hissed at the figure standing in front of him and a couple of dead cadets and techs stood in their way.
Itachi smirked and his eyes whirled a blood-thirsty red and black, "Ibiki, it's too late. We're taking out the council members one by one. You have the grand opening by being our first customer. Say goodbye to your pathetic and devoted life!"
Ibiki Morino closed his eyes; he knew what Itachi held in his blood, the blood of hypnosis. He would be damned if he let that monster betray The Queen without letting her know. He tapped a button underneath the main computer desk behind him. A small click noise erupted from the computer and he sighed. His message would be sent and The Queen would know about a very important lead.
"How could you do this to The Queen, to the universe? You're supposed to be protecting, guarding, and defending the future of your country with your life! You're the second-hand Lieutenant next to Obito! How could you do this?"
"You couldn't understand what I have seen and what I have gathered. The world is simply going to die and there's nothing you can do about it. We're all going to die because what we have done to the galaxy." The lieutenant gazed at the bright nova that never seemed to lose its intensity of light.
"Itachi, you're going to regret doing this. What about Sasuke? What do you think will happen when he finds out that you have betrayed us?"
"I don't care what Sasuke does. We're all going to die in the end...Now let me shorten your pathetic life." The dark-haired man, who was covered in a black cloak, took a step closer. "You can't escape me, you're trapped. It was foolish of you to stay in that cubicle." He sniggered as he was another step closer.
"I will die protecting The Queen and the universe! So, bring it on." His eyes remained closed as he posed in a fighting stance. His fists clenched together and his feet were proportionally spread apart.
"You're such a fool. I'm happy that you're the first one to go." The smirk was still evident on Itachi's face, each step he was closer, each foot stepped on the lifeless bodies with no care to make his way around towards the captain.
"I can't believe this is happening. You, of all people, betrayed Tsunade. Is there anybody else that is willing to betray her orders?" He could sense Itachi getting closer.
"Mhm, there is one who is the head of this operation," a sinister chuckle was heard. "You would have not seen it coming. You wouldn't believe who it is, actually."
"Try me." His body twitched as Itachi's footsteps drew closer.
"Why, you think I would be so kind to tell you?" He snickered. Just one more step and a fight was sure to begin.
"It's a game to you, Itachi. That's what this is to you!"
"Maybe I will tell you who it is." He took that step forward and lazily threw a punch towards Ibiki's right shoulder. His opponent stopped the punch with his fist. Itachi's fingers quietly pulled out a shining blade.
"It," his body was slammed against the captain and he let out a hissing sound, "is," his lips drew closer to Ibiki's and stabbed the gruff man in the side. He continued to strike the knife repeatedly in and out of Ibiki.
The last exhale of oxygen was a cough spurting out blood as Itachi stood over his weakening state.
"It is..." The betrayer's voice trailed into a whisper as Ibiki's final moments was spent in turmoil.