Artes animi.
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Disclaimer :I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 2.
Sakurai breathed in the smell of the blossoming trees, the fresh aroma of spring was heavy in the air.
He looked around, the village was as busy as ever, what with all the people bustling around, and the children playing, not even to mention the shinobi who were easily distinguished in their green flack jackets and the shiny forehead protectors.
It brought smile to his face, to see the village his parents gave up their life for so full of life and thriving.
The sun light danced on his face, and he narrowed his eyes, looking for somone within the crowd, it took him several minutes to find her, and this too only thanks to her bright blonde ponytail.
"yo Miyu!" he greeted his clanmate with a smile his hand lifted.
"good even Sakurai" she answered with a smile of her own " what brought you to here?" she asked curious.
The boy grinned " well... Uncle Inoichi asked me to invite you to his house for dinner... Your parents will be there as well" he answered.
"oh..." was her response.. She couldn't understand how he so casually spoke the word parent without flinching... After all it was just two months ago that he lost his own. As she thought that her face changed into a sad expression, which made her friends face go sour.
"Miyu..." he said his eyes dark "how many times should I tell you... Stop pitying me" his voice was low and cold "I do not need the unnecessary condolences.. Yes its sad.. Yes its painful.. But they sacrificed their life for the village.. So stop sullieing their memory with your unasked pity" he finished, his eyes narrow.
The girl looked hurt, she couldn't understand her second cousin.. He was like that from that day... He didn't except pity or condolences.. He hated when people offered him kindness because he was an orphan.
When their classmates tried to, his response was harsh, saying something along the lines he just told her, about his parents being heroes of the village and not to sullie their name. And when his classmates saw that they stopped bothering him about it.. After all he was their class prodigy who was said to have the ability to graduate this year-They were all guessing if he will go through with the exam or not- So it didn't rreally destroy his reputation, rather it enhanced his reputation by being strong mentally.
There was only one person who Sakurai talked about it and who was aloud to express any thoughts about his situation.. And it surprised everyone.
It was Uchiha Itachi.. The prodigy of class A-2, who Sakurai had no connection or interaction before.. And even to her.. His best friend it was a mystery... Not that she minded much.. Because of the new friendship the two could be seen quite a lot together which let her be closer to the Uchiha who she had a crush on...
As she thought about the Uchiha she blushed deeply, and trying to hide her embarrassment she turned to her cousin "so Sakurai.. Are you planning to graduate this year..? After all the graduation test is next week.. And Itachi is definitely applying" she said.
The boy frowned his gray eyes hardening "no... I am not going to apply.. I don't want to graduate yet" he answered, as he continued to walk, his mind conjuring the image of his friend and fellow prodigy.
A weary smile appeared on his face as he remembered how they got to know each other.
Flashback
It was around three days after the funeral, he went to the academy as always, not caring for anything other said.. He had no interest in staying alone home.. With only painful memories as companions
At first Inoichi tried to force him to stay.. But he finally was able to convince him to relent... And now three days later he was walking again to the academy... He was relived he was able to convince his classmates to stop pestering him about it and to act normally around him.
He passed through the gate, turning left on the hallway, and after a short walk he entered class.
" ohayo Sakurai kun" he was greeted by several of his classmates, as he walked toward his seat.
Miyuki smiled at him "good morning Sakurai" she smiled.
"good morning Miyu" he answered as he took his books out "any interesting even for today?" he asked her.
"hai.. Overview of the vocations a shinobi can pursue.. And applications for medical school" she answered eagerly.
The silver head smiled, it was quite common knowledge between the kids she wanted to apply for medical school, and he was happy for her.
Her eyes suddenly filled with worry "Rai... Are you sure you're alright?" she asked him concerned.
The prodigy sighed.. From all the people in their class she was the only one who continued to pester him.
He looked sharply at her " Miyu enough.. I told you already it's pointless.. I am alright and those questions do nothing but annoy me" he answered.
The girl huffed but said nothing.
As the door opened and their sensei entered, and after a short roll call a long lecture started.
As the bell rang, Sakurai slowly got up and stretched out, his sharp mind easily remembering the entire lecture.
He walked outside, toward the training grounds, his mind focused on the many possibilities standing before him, from Anbu to medical to just menial labor.
He was so engulfed in his thoughts he didn't hear a voice calling him,as such he didn't stop until a hand was laid on his shoulder.
"Yamanaka san" came the voice from behind.
Sakurai jumped in surprise, from both the hand and the voice, as he turned around he saw a boy no older than him, with black hair and eyes, wearing black shirt with a red and white fan on his back and shoulder.
The young Yamanaka recognized him immediately " Uchiha san" he answered respectfully to the other prodigy "how can I help you? 'he asked.
The other boys stoic face didn't change as he looked sharply into the silver haired boy's eyes" my condolences for your loss "he said, his tone didn't change.
Sakurai cringed, he was annoyed but he respectfully bowed his head" thank you Uchiha san.. But please don't... I don't think that... "he started to say when the boy cut him off.
" that you need it... Because they died for the village.. And that is their legacy "he finished with half a smile
Sakurai looked surprised" H-how did you know? "he asked bewildered.
Another smile appeared on the stoic face" well.. Because I understand you.. I saw the war you know.. I saw people dying and I asked myself why would they do that? Why would they be willing to sacrifice their lives? And I found the answer.. For the village.. For their families.. For those they care for.. This is their reason and they would not whish us to morun but to strengthen ourselves to continue their work.. Anything else will sullie their honor and sacrifice" he finished, and extended his hand.
Sakurai smiled slightly and shaked the hand.
"let us work together.. For the benefit of the village".
Flashback end
After that they became sort of friends, they were training together, and for the first time Sakurai found somone his age who could match him and even defeat him.
And now he and Miyu were walking together toward the Yamanaka compound, he waited for her to finish medical school for today as his uncle canceled their training session for the day asking him to bring Miyu to his house for dinner.
As they entered the house, a series of small explosions occurred and a hord of confetti fell on his head "happy birthday Sakurai!" came the voice of at least a dozen kids and one from behind him, he turned with surprise to see Miyu smiling at him as well.
"ah?" was his only response, as he looked confused.
" did you seriously forget your own birthday?" the amused voice of Shikaku Nara came from further inside.
"uncle Shika!" he called surprised.
"rralreally Shikaku, the boy is so confused that should he just say troublesome I would have been sure he is a Nara" the chuckling voice of Inoichi came from the same area as Shikakus.
Sakurai smiled, but his body tensed "thank you all" he bowed.
"oi oi boy no need to be so stiff.." inoichi said smiling, but his eyes narrowed as he saw the tense body language his nephew was displaying.
"troublesome.." the elder Nara said as he approached the young Yamanaka " ok kids it's time for the party!" he said in what was a Nara enthusiastic voice, which is to say not at all.
But the kids went right for the food on the prepared tables.
Shikaku meanwhile approached the tense boy " Saku... This is really troublesome .. You should really unwind a bit... It's no good for your mental health you know.." he drawled.
But the boy's face just became stony " I understand uncle.. And I thank you for it.. But as I told my classmates.. There is no need to treat me differently.. I do not want nor do I need pity.. "he said darkly.
" uh.. So this is the problem.. How troublesome... You are wrong Saku... We don't treet you differently... But this party was already planned by your parents... And it should have been anyway.. So you could stop looking at me as if you are ready to stab me kiddo "the lazy voice was irritating but Sakurai smiled despite it.
" thank you uncle "he said sincerely as he went to join his friends., a smile on his face.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
" so if I understand correctly.. The fundamentals of our mind transfer is to let our consciousness drift through the usage of the spiritual half of our chakra? "eight years old Sakurai asked the ashen blonde man in front of him.
The man smiled, the boy was enthusiastic and bright, for the last year he trained the boy in taijutsu and ninjutsu. The boy was exceptionally talented, the three basic and very much useful techniques he breezed through them like fish in the pond, his mind was highly analytical and his memory was very good as he absorbed knowledge like a sponge.. He was ready to graduate years ago.. But the boy refused.
And now he started to teach him the fundamentals of their clans signature technique, the mind body swapping, and the boy was getting it not only on the performance level but on the fundamentals as well.. How the technique operated.
The point was that chakra was created by the connection of the physical energy and spiritual one, the idea was to separate them and use the spiritual half to attack the mind, which resulting in the person's spirit in another body.
"hmm that's weird uncle" the boy said concentrating, his eyes narrow.
Inoichi said nothing, letting the boy continue his thoughts.
"if it's true that it works through the spiritual energy... Then why does our body still have some spiritual energy left? Aren't we sending the soul? So there should be no spiritual chakra left?" he asked, but it was more to himself than to his uncle.
"so the only explanation that is left is... There is a false safe isn't there? Built within the jutsu.. To prevent the person from being in two places together... The mental difficulty could probably kill the person or at least drive him insane" he concluded and looked at his uncle asking for confirmation.
The shinobi smiled broadly... The truth is he was surprised that the boy deduced it that easily... Something that hundreds of Yamanaka missed entirely.
"you are a genius Sakurai... Yes you are right... There is indeed a failsafe built in..." he smiled.
"so basically it should be possible to control several bodies without losing control of your own... Maybe even a total mind control and domination... But our human brain can't hold that much... Huh.. That's sad" he said.
Inoichi nodded "unfortunately so... Well I would say that is enough for today... Next time we will try the technique itself.." his face became serious "Sakurai... Did you think about graduating?... You do know that you are more than capable..." he asked, his voice showed no emotions.
The boy shook his head "not yet uncle.. Please not yet... I am still learning from you.. Maybe in a year or two.. But please not now" he begged.
The older man sighed "as you whish Sakurai... As you wish" he said and walked out, his weary eyes shining with mirth.
Xxxxxxxxxzxzzxxxxx
The silver haired boy entered the small restaurant, his eyes checking the crowd, searching... Until they finally landed on a young black haired boy, who was sitting by himself at the end of the restaurant, his eyes glooed to the table.
"yo Itachi!" Sakurai greeted his friend "how are you?" he sat down with his friend.
The boy looked up "hn... Good.. You?" the boy asked, using the bare minimum of words.
"nothing special.. I am glad you found some time... How's your seseni? Learning any new stuff?... How about we return to our training? We kinda stopped after you graduated..."
" hn... The knowledge is useful. I am getting stronger every day... I think it's impossible for us to train again yet... Too much time taken by other occupations " he answered.
The boy sighed in disappointment.." can't be helped then... So what's news in the filed? "..
" Nothing interesting Sakurai... Taking the exams this year? ".
The other voyboy shook his head" no... Not yet.. Still need the time "he answered.
The Uchiha simply lughed at the response.
They chatted for quite a while, their expressions carefree.. The two friends nodded to each other at the end.. As they got up..
" see you around Itachi", Sakurai lifted his hand up in a farewell.. The other boy mimicked the action, as the two prodigious shinobi parted ways again.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The small room was lit by the silvery light of the moon, the silvery tendrils bathing the room with ethereal glow.
The room was circular, with basic furniture consisting of a heavy desk a stool and a wardrobe... On the stool was sitting an old man with a conical hat covering his face, the only visible future was his long pipe from which he took a long breath.
In front of him was standing an ashen blonde his eyes locked on the old man.
"so I understand he won't be graduating this year either?" the old man asked, his voice leathery.
"no hokage sama he won't..." Yamanaka Inoichi replied.
"did you try everything? What about asking the young Uchiha?"
"we tried everything sir... He is just being stubborn..." he finished.
"at the end its his choice to make Inoichi.. Not ours... I can understand his desire to prolong his peaceful life..." the old hokage sighed deeply "very well then.. Onto the next topic.."
Inoichi smiled,his eyes gaining a mischievous look in them as he thought of his nephew.
End cut...
End of chapter 2.