Naruto: Symphony of Eternity

Book 1: Absolution Shall Not Come

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters. If I did, the series would have concluded differently.

"We never paid any heed to the warnings. We never considered an alternative. All we did was fight as we had for generations. We never paid any heed, until the night the white moon left the sky, and a new enemy came upon us. All of us now stand on the edge of oblivion, for his reign of terror has begun…"

A/N: I understand the sudden introduction of two OC's that have longstanding relations with the more familiar characters may seem off-putting, but I assure you, they have important roles to play in the current and developing plotlines, so if you folks can roll with it, much appreciated.

Chapter 3: The Wise Old Sage

Sakura composed herself as she walked up to Ekodo's front door. It had been some time since she, Naruto, or any of the others had paid the geezer a visit. His retirement combined with his advanced age had kept him out of the war and the various conflicts leading into up to it. The small house was in a slight seclusion from the rest of the village. The entire property stood at the eastern edge of the village on the edge of the cliffs. The modest house stood in a small field dotted with trees, and a pond featuring a dock, along with a second small building and a gazebo, both of which were where Ekodo would give lessons to willing ninja students. A final small structure, a lone tea house, sat on the banks above the pond.

All four structures along with the dock were linked by dirt paths. The only paved path was the one linking the house to the street outside the property. Ekodo could have easily transformed everything to match the urban splendor of the rest of the village, but he felt greater serenity living amongst the environment in a suburb instead. Sakura and the others had always agreed with the decision. It was always peaceful beyond the fence, erected only at the insistence of the council which found the contrast to be an eyesore.

Sakura knocked on the door gently, and patiently waited for the Elder Sage to come and open it. He was the oldest person in the village, and she understood his mobility wasn't what it once was. Soon enough, the tumblers turned and the door opened, and Ekodo Giatsokabe smiled gently at the sight of his visitor.

His appearance hadn't changed these last few months since she last saw him. He held not a single weapon on his person, and instead carried his ancient oak wooden staff with him which he now used as a walking stick. His white robes remained under the beige haori he wore over them. The insignia of the Hidden Leaf decorated the right side of the chest and the back of the haori. The only trace of his former days as a warrior were the ninja sandals he wore on his feet, but now they also had simple white socks as well. His gray hair was neatly tied up into a topknot held in place by a simple brass band. His fumanchu mustache and beard remained neatly trimmed, and his golden eyes were as warm as his smile.

"Hello, Sakura. It has been quite some time since I've been graced with a guest. I was beginning to think you and your friends had forgotten about dusty old me," he joked with a light chuckle.

The pink-haired ninja simply smiled as she replied after she bowed in respect. This man was never one for formalities, but she still needed to show respect to this living legend of the Hidden Leaf.

"Good day, Ekodo-sensei. I have a report from Lady Tsunade that requires your review."

"I have a pretty good idea of what it is for, but please, do come in. The walk here from administration is a long one, and it wouldn't sit well with me to leave you out here when you are beside yourself," he told her gently as he took the report from her.

Sakura stood stiff as she felt her eyes widen. She was certain she had masked her inner turmoil to perfection. This old sage evidently retained his keen ability at insight. She saw as he stepped aside to allow her entry, and she stepped in without a word. She was always grateful for the kind hospitality he gave those he recognized as troubled. He was kind of like Naruto in that way, never willing to turn away people who were in need. Once in his living room, she saw he had a pot of recently-prepared tea set up. "Some things never change" Sakura mused to herself with a smile. Sitting across from her as he set his staff down, Ekodo poured her a cup and handed it to her, which she took gently. It was his own special blend of jasmine, always a good choice.

"Thank you, sensei," she said softly.

"You're quite welcome, Sakura. You and I both know something is troubling you greatly. It is your business so I am not going to pry. If you wish to discuss it with me, I'll be right here as I look over this report," Ekodo told her with a gentle tone and smile before he turned his attention to the papers he had been given.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence and delicious tea, Sakura could see that the Elder Sage was near the end of the report. Occasionally he would take sips from his own cup of tea while he read through the documents. Once he finished he set it down and looked back up to her.

"Lady Tsunade has a sound compromise for what should befall Sasuke for his misdeeds. I agree that the boy deserves a chance to prove he can seek redemption. The council will most certainly contest it, and I am going to sign in full support nonetheless."

Sakura looked down with a soft smile. She was grateful he wasn't going to contest the proposed sentence that be handed down to Sasuke. She had been concerned just how Ekodo would take the news the Uchiha boy had returned to the village. He had always warned his students, Sasuke included, against giving into dark desires. Using a pen, he signed the report and gave it his full approval. Ekodo did not have any political, military, or judicial oversight in the village, but his words were taken with great thought and seriousness all the same.

"Thank you, Ekodo-sensei. I've been very worried over what is to happen to Sasuke now that he's returned to us," Sakura said, attempting to mask the contrition in her heart and mind once more. And of course, the Elder Sage did not fail to see right through it.

"I am sure, Sakura, but is it just Sasuke that has you feeling like this?"

Sakura knew it was futile to try and lie to him, and she wouldn't give him that kind of dishonor.

"No… it's… Naruto," she confessed before continuing, "I think I love him, Ekodo-sensei… No, I know that I love him, and it's a terrible thing," she watched as Ekodo took on a concerned expression, but no confusion at all.

"No, it's not, Sakura. When love is real, it is never a terrible thing. Love is the bond between two people that understand each other and are close to each other. It fits you and Naruto, perfectly, from where I am standing. Figuratively speaking, of course."

Sakura gave a sad smile at his words. "It's terrible because he is so wonderful, the exact opposite of me. I was probably the worst friend anyone could ever have when we were younger. I wasterrible no matter how much he was wonderful. I've come to see all that he's said and done for me over the years for the first time, and I realize how wrong and foolish I was. The right guy for me has been by my side this whole time." Her sad smile did not dissipate and tears had returned to her eyes, threatening to fall. "Naruto… you alone were the boy who gave me both love and support all these years without ever stopping even once. And all I did was abuse you, use you, and take you for granted… I was terrible… I was the absolute worst."

"I think I see your dilemma, Sakura," Ekodo told her gently. She couldn't hold the pain inside anymore and her tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Yes, it's terrible that I love Naruto because I have no right to. To be honest, it makes no sense that he stuck by me for so long. I always chased after a dream with Sasuke, but it was Naruto who treated me like a princess from the start. I was so blind!" Sakura berated herself as she spoke. She added after a brief pause, "I don't deserve him. Not after everything I said and did over all these years." As he refilled her cup of tea, Ekodo waited, knowing she wasn't done explaining, "I have some serious nerve falling for him after everything. I know Hinata loved him, too. He should've pick her over me. She'd been into him since we were all kids. I shouldn't have what I didn't earn," Sakura finished. She looked down in shame as her tears continued falling. Ekodo handed her a handkerchief and she took it as she sniffled. His gentle, sympathetic expression was clear for her to notice.

"You have clearly kept all of this bottled up for a long time, Sakura," the old man spoke softly with genuine concern. He did have some advice, however. He took a sip of his own tea once again as he waited her for to continue.

"I'm sorry for unloading all of this on you, Ekodo-sensei. I just… couldn't keep it in any longer," she told him as she tried in vain to dry her tears.

"You have nothing to apologize to me for. I invited you to share your problem with me, did I not?" Ekodo asked rhetorically as he grew another smile. He continued by addressing her concerns directly, now that she had given him the right to ask, "You believe you do not deserve the love Naruto has given you because of how you treated him in the past, correct?"

"Yes, I do," she said as she sniffled again.

"Well Sakura, I'm afraid you are approaching this in a manner that will only bring the both of you more harm in the end," his voice took on the tone of knowing combined with his gentle disposition.

"W-what?" Sakura was taken aback by this. "What did I do wrong, now?!" she panicked in her mind.

"You cannot bury your feelings, or continue to neglect his as you do so. Try however you might, but the truth is like the sun. You can put up blinds and shades to shut it out, but it's still there."

"Then what do I do? What do I do, Ekodo, sensei?!" Sakura raised her voice somewhat in desperation as she sobbed. When he began speaking again, she tried her best to look him in the eyes.

"Sakura, the future is not set in stone. It is a lump of wet clay for you to mold however you choose. If you are ashamed of the person you were, become someone better. If you believe you are unworthy of his love, then become someone worthy of it. We can only act on what is, not what was. Seize the day, Sakura, don't let it pass you by," he shared his wisdom with her while holding a serene expression. As the words sunk in, Sakura had finally found herself able to dry her tears as her despair had somewhat abated. She thought on his message carefully as she lowered her gaze.

"Ekodo-sensei… your words always ring true all while bringing comfort to those who listen. I need to find Naruto and set things right, no matter what happens."

Once she composed herself, Sakura looked back up to give the Elder Sage an appreciative smile and her affirmation that she understood, "Thank you, Ekodo-sensei. You are right. I'm going to find Naruto and try explaining things to him. But how should I proceed?"

"Just be honest with him, Sakura. Naruto is a straightforward young man who values the truth. Just speak your mind and heart, and he will understand," Ekodo told her in assurance without a shred of doubt. He finished his cup of tea as he watched her stand, and he saw the despair in her eyes replaced with conviction. After setting the cup down, he handed her the report back. He nodded assuredly.

"Thank you again, Ekodo-sensei. Once I deliver this report back to Lady Tsunade, I'm going to find Naruto," the pink-haired young woman told the Elder Sage with determination.

"Then by all means, Sakura, don't let me keep you." He urged her on with a chuckle. As he watched her leave, he mused to himself, "When love is real, it finds a way. Best wishes to you two youngsters. You have both earned this joy."

Days Off with the Akatsuki:

Chapter 3: A Blind Date with Sasori

Having finished switching into formal attire to avoid being recognized as one of the Akatsuki, Sasori made his way through the common room of the hideout. His was relieved to find his teammates occupied. Osamu was looking over a set of scrolls they had looted from the Land of Fire during a mission, Kakuzu was counting his money he had earned from cashing in on another bounty, and Hidan was mutilating himself with a dagger as he was purposely coating his Jashin medallion in his own blood. Sasori tried to tiptoe past the others as he made for the exit, but Osamu addressed him with a bemused tone without even turning to face him.

"Don't worry, we won't wait up."

Stopping his in tracks, Sasori turned to face the direction of his team. He asked his partner in an exasperated tone, "You told them?"

"They were clever, they exploited my severe lack of concern for your privacy," Osamu joked.

"I heard you finally found a match with that service you were using, LonelinessSucks. One mistake after another trying to find a girl, boy," Kakuzu lectured.

"And that's because women drain all of your hard-earned money," Osamu stated as a matter of fact, to which Kakuzu raised his free hand for an agreeing high-five, and the Akatsuki leader met it instantly.

"Thanks for concern, guys, but I'm going now or I'll be late," Sasori stated before he turned back to leave. Hidan chimed in as he did so.

"If you bring her back here, don't get upset if I sacrifice her to Lord Jashin. I do have my obligations."

"And if you decide to try and shag the girl, make sure you go prepared. The only whiny pestering infant I'm willing to tolerate crawling around here is Hidan," Osamu added.

"I second that very accurate motion," Kakuzu gave his input.

"Oh just shut up you two jackasses!" Hidan growled.

About an hour later, Sasori reentered the room, and only Osamu was still up. He again addressed Sasori without turning around.

"That bad, huh?"

"We had… differences we mutually recognized," Sasori put it lightly.

"To hell with romance and love. They're both just a distraction from true progress. We're all you need," Osamu looked over his shoulder and smirked at his partner, who nodded with a likewise expression.

Over at the Hidden Leaf Village, Lee spotted Tenten nearby in her formal dress as she returned from her date early. He walked up to her, and she then stopped in her tracks. Shaking his head with a soft smile, he watched as she found the words to justify what happened.

"We had… differences we mutually recognized."