It was odd, definitely odd, It's been two weeks since I last got my mothers letter. I wasn't as worried as I was before ,because I know knew of why my mother couldn't send letters without it taking about a week just to get it looked over. I was clearly alright and calm about that subject. But I wasn't so good about their long stay at the Fire Country. I haven't even see one glimpse of my brother since that episode at the dinner table when I recieved mothers letter. I knqw he recieved one also, I'm guessing it might be one from mother also since we got them both at the same time. It probably just said the same thing as mine except for the whole Uchiha brothers, I kow my brother isn't attracted to his own species. To tell you the truth he hasn't even been intrested in other females except for the ones in his family. I know sooner or later that he's going to have to get married for the sake of him staying Kage of the Water Country. Then again I should be worrying about my own marriage plans in the future. I 'd have many suitors ask for my hand in marriage but they just only ddi it for the power and money, I want it for love. Although it hurts to know that love is made a joke in my social level. I'm used for nothing but to produce heirs...nothing more. I just hope that my future husband we'll treat me well and respect me unlike some of the horrible men I have come encountered with. Those are just dreams and things you would put on your wish list to only be burned in the future.
I was presently in the library, reading an old scroll of recarnation. It is to be said that it can bring a whole clan back to life, but has to be handled by a very good chakra controller that I know only Tsundae, I and a couple other people can have the honor of having. It made me just a tad bit woozy when it said that you are to use almost all of your blood to draw the symbol on every chest you wish to come back to life. Basically, the more bodies the more blood. I've had a very bad past with blood when I first started learning which lead me to the bathroom throwing up my guts like no tommorow. I am now immune to it , but still get queezy.\
I wrote down my notes into my many journals that laid by my side. Every scroll I read I write down my notes from the scroll into the journal. I don't copy it , I just put it into my own words. I also add how it will effect the users body not to mention the percentage of death and internal problems. It might not sound like enough information to fill a journal, but I'm a very detailed person.
I heard the doors of the library opened and fotsteps followed after it. I already knew it was my brohter by the sounds of his feet. As if On cue I heard my brother give a quick greeting, then pulled out the chair on my right side thus sitting on it propping his legs on the table. I looked up to see him with a scroll in his hands, the outer shell of green and gold brought a wave a familiarity to me as I looked at it. It then donned on me that it was my fathers own personal scrolls that he uses for important buisness writttings. I wathced as his hand extended the scroll laying it by my hand that took a liking to resting upon my journal that I was writting in. I was quite confused not to mention scared as he didn't say, move or do anything. With shaky hands I grasped the scroll and opened the top hearing a pop sound as I titlted the case. A cream colored piece of paper fell out as I slid it out more. Grasping the paper , I looked back at my brother one more time before unraveling the rolled up piece of paper.
It read...
Rysuke and Sakura
The meeting and stay at the Fire Country was longer than I thought it would, but the reason for the journey was definately worth the wait . I wish for your brother and you to pack a few belongings and take the next ship to the Fire Country. I will pray for your safe journey, I will tell you the reason of the sudden demand once you arrive.
Love, Father
I was quickly taken back at the sudden comand. What could their possibly be at the Fire Country that Rysuke and I would need to get their as fast as we could. Maybe...maybe...I dcan;t even think of a reason. I looked at my brother who was reading the journal I was working on when he came in. A low chuckle was heard from him, a small smile present on his face. His eyes swept to my face catching my obvious stare.
" Why would Tsundae give you a scroll on how to recarnate nearly 200 people," he asked as I took my journal from his hands not trying to be harsh in the proceess. i didn't care about the justu, I cared about why father wanted us so bad in the Fire Country and I had a feeling that Ryuske knew. Growing impatient of him not telling me I slammed the scroll on the table, nearlt crushing the table in two, father wouldn't like that. " What is this about," I demanded looked at him and no where else. I seemed as though he was trying to looke everywhere but my face, the complete opposite of what I was doing. I watched him for about a minute before he got the courage to finally speak up, the coward.
" Father wants us in the Fire country in the next two days," he said as though it was easy as breathing. I could feel my body about to explode. I slowly breathed in and out from my mouth to my nose, calming myself to what I was could tell that I was getting fustrated at the anti-social personality that hes putting on at the moment. I then slowly clasped my hands in front of my ace and left out an exasperated sigh. " Why is father ordering us to come to the Fire Country," I repeated, the frustration clearly being noticed. I watched as my brother closed his eyes letting out an almost equal sigh as my own. " Sakura I don't know, if I did you know I would tell you," he said coming closer to me engulfing me in a warm hug. I couldn't help but to let my guard down and believe him. It was probably true though, he would tell me...I hope.
He slowly retracted from me and put his hands on my petite shoulders bending his head closer to mine. Curse my short strucutre , why couldn't I inherit my fathers height and not my mothers, although it did have it's perks. Our noses were barely touching, he then kissed my nose resting his forehead on my own. " I ave already packed. Do you want me to help you? " I nodded as we made our way to the door. I then remebered about my books and scrolls hoping to take them with me to kill time when were on the boat. I picked a as many scrolls and journals up as I could while my brother took the rest that were left on the table. We passed through the doors as to guards were at our side.
We walked down to my room taking a diffrent route , hoping not to pass my family generation portraits. The thought of my grandfather wasn't really going to brighten up my day or my mind at the time. It affected my brother as well so he understood the pain and sorrow I was going through, not to mention my father since that was his father. Although, my brother and father got over it more quickly then I did, but they still understood and wasn't harsh on me when I would lock myself in my room or threaten not to eat anything unless they brought my grandfather back, a total drama queen, I know. My father was already Mizukage when grandfather died, so it's not like our country was in mayhem with a dead Hokage.
We slowly made our way to my room silence filled the air around us, giving an akward feeling at the most. Maids scurried around like mice arounf the halls, cleaning there and dusting here. They gave a soft bow as we walked passed them. My family wasn't rude and my mother taught us better to not be disrespectful just because there is someone who is of lower level than you, when it comes down to it, a person is a person. We ackknowledge there present with a small smile and wave. The sight of the two guards in front of my room stood proudly by the entrance doors of my room. I gave a soft giggle as I watched them stand to protect a empty room. I saw my brother shift his gazed towards me in a questioning manner, i just waved him off as we walked closer to my doors. I oculd then look more closely at the armor ofthe guards. The metal of the Haruno clan was silver thus having every piece of armor and guards made out of the respected metal. The guards where not in battle clearly so they just had basic arm guards , not to mention the breat plate that covered their chest and back. They wore simple black trosuers that ended about half way through the shin. off white bandages were wrapped around their whole shin including the trousers that went passed their knees. They had a egg white long sleeved shirt under the breat plate. There was the clan symbol on each side of the sleeves. Under the clan symbol was the abreveated rank of the guards, which for them happened to be CHN, Chunnin. That was usually the basi rank for the guards that patrolled the area. varous guards each day swithch out to guard whike other gon misssions or return home to their families.
The doors opened infron of us with a loud creak as we walked in. It seemed that the maids already lit some of the lanters that were situtated in front of the balcony, giving the room an erry glow. I was abllt th eget enough light to walk over to the first small lamp on the right side of my bed turning it on doing it to the identical lamp on the left sid eof my bed. I could hear the heavy sounds and things being thrown on the bed. The ripple in the beds comforter making my guess more accurate. My brother turned the locks on the trunks thus opening it, turning back to my wardrobe. My was he in a hurry.
I followed suit and clothes started to decrease from my wardrobe into the huge dark brown leathre trunks situated on my bed. The silk comforter of my bed being smooshed at the weight of the objects, creases and wrinkles could be clearly seen. i was able to look behind me in the knick of time to see my brother walking towrads my undrgarmet draww reaching his hand out for the small nobs. I rushed over to him smaking his hand in the process, a light pink color brushed my cheeks as I looked at my brother. A small chuckle was heard as a wide goofy smile appeared on his face. He then leaned on my dresser propping one foot up to balance himeself if I was to push, which I wasn't, I would hear what he had to say and then I might push him. A sly smirk was seen as he looked down at me.
" Sakura I helped mom nurse you when you were an infant. I watched you grow up into a little woman. I think I can handle lokking at your under cloathes," he said placing his hands in my shoulders. I felt a warm sensation spread oacross my cheeks at the mention of ' little woman' , ususally your not woman until you- . Well that can be told by someone else. It wasn't a problem for my brothr to see my underwear, it was the more higher up stuff I was embarassed about. It was a known fact that the Haruno women were quite gifted in that area, something that I wish was completely false. Having large assests were a pain in the butt, the added weight brought down your shoulders leaving them in a hunched position. Not to mention the not needed stares that I recieve from the male population. My mother grew up with the same problem so I felt like this is something that me and my mother truly had in common. Although nobody's boobs, that I know of yet, are larger than Tsundaes, not being perverted just stating facts.
His stares were coming to be a tad bit uncomfortable, so at the moment I just decided to swallow my diginity and say it," I'," I managed to say in a long breath. Heaving a much needed supply of air into my lungs felt good, although the congusion on my brothers face wanted me to burst out laughing. Which I decided not to do since this situation was basically about me and my insecurities, my brpther dosen't like people laughing at hum unless he says something funny or laughable.
It seemed as though the words then clicked in his brain as he made a move to open my drawers once again, too fast for my eyes to ctch before it was to late. The drawer slid open to reveal nicely assorted bras ranging in color. One column of white, one of skin tone and one of black. I'm glad he didn't open the drawer the whole way to see the lacy ones I had stowed in the very far back. I looked up at my brother, no sign of blush or stiffled laughter came out of him and that's what caught me off guard. You would think that the older brother would joke about this sprta thing but he was calm as can be. He then proceeded to pick up about a good two handfuls of my garments thus walking to the trunks and lightly placing them in. I couldnt help but to feel a tad bit thankful at his antics. I looked down to the drawer to see a lace red stap showing through the basic colored ones. Without a second guess I shut the drawer with a loud bang soind the seemed to echo through my room. My brother gave me yet another confused looke before he returned back to ms side , reaching down to the drawer that was on the laeft side of the one he previously opened .
" How many party kimonos did you pack," his voice asked as he swiftly opened the drawer thhat held my corsets. I loved to dress up and get dolled up but I hatedthe corsets with a passion. I recieed my mothers womanly curves and was born with a very tiny waist. But of course, the maids had to tighten it to it's fullest extent, leaving me breathless sometimes. To top it all off, the corsets are stringed, so its not like I couldloosen it with buckles when on ones looking, but then I would have to undo my obi and then have to put the obi back which would require someones services. The corset was definately Satans favorite undergarmet i bet.
Witht the question stilll lingering in the air unanwsered I took two out placing them in his awaiting arms. "I only packed two so this is all."
Minutes passed and we already and packed. I was at th entrance doors awaiting the carriage that was suppose to pick us up. The doors opened and I peered outside to see the average cariiage thta came to pic my family up from time to time. The color of the horses was a beautiful shade of honey . I walked over to the horses and petting them both on the head hoping not to startle them. Their names were Luna and SuiKa. I remeber growing up riding these two when my riding lessons were being taught. I had heard that Luna gave brith just two moths ago. I wonder what it felt to be a horse giving birth, it was hard enough to hear labor stories from my mother and grandmothers, ' it's a beautiful thing to experince but it hurts like hell' were their choices of words when describing the process. Being a medic-nin also entitled me to learn how to become a mid wife, I spent many days brushing up on the process and reading textbooks Tsundae gave me. Once I was done witht the whoe thing, I just couldn't wait for the unbearable day when I broing a child into this world. From what I read the body can only produce 3 at the most. And thats fine with me because when it comes time, I only want 2 or 3. The thought of small babies made a warm bubbly feeling in my stomach , bif smile spread acroos my face as I petted the horses on last time for the night.
The ship that my brother and I were going to ride upon was nothing out of the ordinary. It had your basic parts of the ship and of course the hard working ship mates running aroung getting ready to sail. I boarded the ship with the guard sbehind me carring my stuff. A random shipmate gestured the guards to follow him, to my room I'm assuming. I fely a arm snake around my shoulders bringing me closer to the owner of the arms body. The familiar scent making move my arm over my brother shoulder, even if I had to stand on my tippy toes.
A sturdy tall man came up to greet us. He wasn't dresses like all the other people that were aboard the ship. He had long blond hair that was put into a high ponytail, his bangs creeped over the Ninja Leaf headband he had strapped on his forehead. His aquamarine eyes shined in the late night skies. He then bowed and brought up a hand to my brother, who gradually took it.
" I'm Yamanaka Inoichi, the captain of this ship and many more. It's a pleasure to have you on-board with us," he voice held this pride that seem to just shine off him. Although, beside his personality he seemed to bring this familiar vibe in my head. I never seen him before, but the last name also rang a bell. I was clealry having a mental break down on this boat trying to figure out who he reminded me of. It was then that a body crashed into me, making the wood planks on the boat come in contact with my chest, knocking every ounce of breath out of me. All I could catch was a braid of blond hair falling in my face. It was definately not Mr. Yamanaka because he was infront of me and probably wouldn't jump on me.
" Sakura-chan! I missed you so much, we haven't see eachother in ages!" it almost sounded like a talking pig squealing at the same time. The sqeauly voice, blond hair, Yamanaka...Ino!
I looked up to meet the same aqua orbs of my best friend. THe weight was then lifted on my body and two arms picked me up from my arm pits setting me back on my feet. I dusted myself off, hoping to rub at me aching breats , but that would be akward in front of my friends dad and the many MALE deckhands. I looked back up and scanned the ship, it seemed from Ino's actions made everyone come into defense mode. The guards behind me had kunais inches away from where Ino is now standing. The deckhands frozen to the spot, as if the devil himself was on the ship. It's not the devil just Ino.
I caught movement on my left side to see Ino walking over to her dad, pressing tightly on his side. I'm assuming that the guards scared her, helping calm my friend I walked over and caught her in a big bear hug, one that coul rival one of my brothers. Ino and I shared smiles and laughs as we watched as the scene on the ship go back to it was originally before Inos misunderstanding actions.
" It seems as though your father has the security tight as those corsets you wear," I couldn't help but not to laugh at her staement. It was true though, ever since I turned 15 my father had guards following me to no end. I would feel way better if they were girls so that they could understand that I want my privacy once and a while, but I never got one. " Here let me show you where you'll be staying or the rest of the trip," I heard Ino said as she literally drag me from where Rysuke and Mr. Yamanaka were standing. The slight painful tug on my wrist died down as we passed through many doors and hallways. The ship was even bigger underground. Ino stopped in her tracks and let go of my wrist sinking her hand in her fron pant pocket. I then took the tme to start flowing the blood back into my hand as Ino searched for whatever she was looking for. I heard a quick yelp of excitement when I looked to see the Inos findings wa just a simple key , nothing fancy. She bent her back slightly, the doorknob and lock were for a hand to reach which I find quite odd.
A soft click and Ino swung the door open to reveal a small room with two beds , only feet apart from eachother. Two paper lanterns were lit giving the room such needed light, since the sun was making its way down pretty fast. I saw the trunks of my clothing and belongings beside my bed. I just stood at the door taking in the contents of the room, as Ino went to one of the beds sitting on it and looking at me. I got the movement of her patting an area of the bed only inches away from her. I headed over to the spot sitting down on the comfortable sheets that layed on top off the firm matress.
" My father told me that your going to the Fire Country. What are you going to be doing over there? " It seemed as though curiousity was painted on her face, I should have known this was going to happen if I had run into Ino. Although I didn't intend to have a run in with her on her fathers boat, I didn't even know her father even owned a boat let alone be in charge of it. My thoughts drifted to to the times when Ino and I were alot smaller. Thoughts of playing in the meadow, in my room and sometimes playing playing hide and go seek in the library, the perfect place to play. I couldn't help but to let a wide smill show from the happy memories, it didn't go unoticed by Ino. I was thinking about all my teen memories now wgen I heard this annoying snappingfinger coming out of complete random.
I came to to the weird world witha hand in my face waving frantiaclly back and forth. I stopped her just in time so she wouldnt make me dizzy.
" Someones in La La land," I looked over at Ino, a playful grin on her face. I couldnt help but to smile at her antics, Ino and I have known eachother since we were little girls. Shikimaru would hang out withus but he's a guy sso he dosent have alot of stuff to talk about with us. Although, Ino lives in the Fire Country, so I spent alot of the No-Ino time with Shikimaru. All together, we were the best of of course popped up a new question in my head.
" Did Shikimaru ride this boat with his father and my parents to the Fire Country," Inos curiousity rubbing off of me.
" Ya they were aboard about three weeks ago. Why do you ask? "
" I was just wondering. Do you know ...if.. maybe ... you over heard them talking about the reason why there going, other then talking to the Emperor," I had a feeling that ino probably didn't know, but it dosen't hurt to ask. Even if I didn't show it, I was completely confused to what was going on around me. Parents keeping behind my back until guilt eats at them to the point where they tell, letters telling mme to come to a foregin country and my brother being Mister. Zippey Lippey. It just seems to be really stranga considering the way our family is made up of honest comunication and love, I'm just worried that they think they can't trust me.
" I'm sorry, I didn't hear anything. I was hanging out with Shikimaru-kun most of the time," she said. From knowing Ino as long as I have I knew she wasn't lieing. Although I didn't let the whole 'talking with Shikimaru' pass. "Oh really. Talking with Shikimaru-kun," my voice held a playfullness. A blush brushed her cheecks as shikimarus name escaped my mouth, I could tell from the many years passing by that Ino held a crush on the boy. It was cute when we were all haging with eachother at the same time with Inos face red, shikimaru staring at the sky and me not trying to bust up laughing, harder then it seems ...trust me.
" What? Are you trying to same something," a thin layer of defense seemed to cover Ino, her trick to get people intimadated, it worked on other people but not me. " Ohno, I wasn't trying to imply anything Ino," I'll just let it slide tonight since I was hit with a wave exhaustion hit me, coming out of completely know where.
A calm knock came from the other side of the room, without a comment or sound the door opened. My brothers head popped in, he seemed to be extremely exhausted, wouldn't know why, we haven't down much except walked a couple steps into the carriage and on the boat. Then again I had no clue of what earlier activities he had previously done, training is what I'm thinking of. his hair was messy, his skin was a sickly pale color, his whole appearance worried me greatly. I stood up and made my way to the door opening in to see my brothers hand clutching his stomach, the waves crashing on the boat thus rocking the boat seemed to make his face and even more disgusting look of a pale green.
" Are you okay? " I alread had an idea of what was wrong from the his symptoms and look. He had always had a history of being severely sea sick, somethig that was hard to deal with since the only way to travle some where out of the country was by boat. " Just a little sea sick as usual," he said dismissing any further questioning with a small wave of the hand. " You should get to bed and rest for tommorow, father wants you wide awake for when you meet Lord and Lady Uchiha," with that he closed the door leaving Ino and I alone. The rustling of sheets and comforter sounded from the bed I sat upon, Ino looked to me then the bed, I was guessing that this was the bed I would be using for the night. I thanked her and asked for some privacy to change, her footsteps and the soft click of the door made me bring my hands to the zipper on the back of my kimono. I was glad when my mother had gotten me zip up ones instead of all of them being ones with smartly tied obis that took quite a while for me to undo without the help of one of my maids.
After fumbling with the small zipper I was able to place it firmly in my hand bringing it down to where it could no longer go and stepped of of the firstlayer. The other layers came off with a cinch leaving me in the last layer of my clothing. The silk linen and corset and underwear keeping me foming being nude to the world. Slipping the straps down my shoulders, the silk pooled by my feet touching the hardwood floors of the boat, the contrast of a pearl like color to a dark wood standing out indiffrently. I bent down to retrieve the silky material tossing it carelessly on the bed, moving to the front string of the corset loosey untiing to them until it was loose enough to bring over my head. I walked over to own of my trunks opening the locks and bringing the top to lean onto the beds front frame. Searching through all the elaborate silks and cottons until I found a light blue nightgown pulling it over my head and walked over to the bed. The warm sheets and comforter brought a another wave of exhaustion over me as they came to rest just under my the curve of my breasts.
"You can come in Ino," the door creaked open and closed with Ino walking to the opposite bed stripping to a under linen like my own. I no longer paid attention to the world around me as I slowly sucumbed to slumber, the peaceful dreams coming along short after.
A faint ray of sunlight swept through the small window, spreading across my face. The heat soothing me into even deeper sleep, although, the desired act felt so tempting , I decided not. I slowly opened my eyes the sight of wood of wood caught my attention and I shot out of bed the covers falling to the ground. The fast movement made my eyesight hazy as I fell back on bed my head spinning. Blinking rapidly to adjust to my surroundings I could make out the sounds of bustling footsteps above me and the smell of salt water. Remebering where I was I couldnt help but to slap my forhead at my stupid antics.
The cold morning temperatures raised goosebumps all around my body, rubbing my hand sup and down my arms hoping to get at least a little heat. I picked up the blankets from the floor and wrapped them around my body, the ends barely touching the ground. Making my way to the door I slipped on my leathre slippers I wore yesterday and left the room.
Through minutes of getting lost with all the corners and hallways I was able to get on deck. The blanket and the suns waves of heat warmed me up. I still had the blanket around me since I was still wearing my nightgown, I would be ebtirely embarassed if all the crew mates saw me in my underwear. I searched past the bustling ship members and looked for my brother. I searched for thise emerald colored eyes and dark broen hair. People moved aside for me as I made my way to where the captains quaters was, or where I thought it was. I was happy to know that it was the captain quaters. Inos father, Ino and my brother were huddled around a small table, maps and pencils layed messily around. A compass layed in Sir Yamanakas hand.
"We should arrive by early afternoon, we can send one of the birds to at least let them know when we will be arriving," Inos father voice seemed energetic for being this early in the morning, then again if your a captain of a ship you have to work from early morning to late night, something I would definately loathe. "That would be excellent, thank you," my brothers tired voice sounded, the seas sickness must have kept him up all night.
Seeing as how none of the people in the room had noticed me yet I decided to leave without a sound and return to my room to catch a few more hours of sleep before we arrived. The crew members still at work, the grunts of effort when they lifted the barrels of who knows what, sweat trickling down their face and necks to escape in the border of their shirt, some not even taking the liberty to wear a shirt.
The walk back to my room was silent and uneventful, I hope that this is not what my stay at the Lords home would be like. Before I could even get to the door of my room, I heard loud footsteps behind. I turned to be met with a flash of blonde coming towards me, stopping a couple of inches infront of me. Ino body was hunched over, her deep breathes of air easily recognized. Finally catching her breathe she stood back up and faced towardss me nolonger having hard breathing, " My father has informed me that we will be arriving by noon." I nodded my head and walked in our room and walked over to the small circular window by my bed.
Opening it brought a a rush of salty smelling vapor to my nose, a few calls of saegulls that flew over the ship was heard as crystaal blue water surrounded and covered every inch that surrounded the ship. It was a very brethtaking sight even if its just water, I wished that I could have the beach back home as my backyard, I would never cease to get bored. The thought of home and my prents made me excited as I looked east, where the Fire Country was located.
I couldnt help but to squeal insdie my head at the mere mention og my father,mother and brother at my side once again, the ones who would never leave me alone, the ones who I couldnt live without...
I apologize before hand for my grammar mistakes, I'm to lazy to correct everything right now, but I promise all the other chapters after this will be perfectly grammarized ( thats a word in my own vocabulary).
Also I appreciate all the 'added to favorite' comments I've been recieving , but I really would like for you guys to leave reviews so I know what your opions annd comments about the story are.
THANX! -Murderbull214