Authoress Note: Okay, so a few reviews this time. It's funny since there are more SakuSasu fans than any other yet no one ever reviews a SasuSaku fiction.
Story Fact: Whenever I need to write a battle, I listen to the Mortal Kombat theme tune. It really gets your creative juices flowing!
03 The Unaffiliated
However long the night, the dawn will break.
African Proverb
The black armour he held in his hand had turned cold during its absence from his body. Yet he didn't complain as he strapped it to his left shoulder securely, prepared to head back to camp.
He set off walking, unable to keep the frown from his face. Those bastards had snuck up on his whilst he slept. Leading an army of hundreds across barren lands for three days wasn't something which helped you sleep at night, especially after learning the borders had been crossed by those fools from Mist. They could have spread throughout the countryside by now, like the cockroaches they were. So when he made it to the final resting point, he took an unauthorised leave (like anyone would or could order otherwise from him) to rest before the fight.
Then those buffoons had come along and woke him up. At first, he was groggy, unsure of what was happening (which certainly wouldn't have been the case had he slept properly the days previous) but as his senses sharpened, he found himself confronted with idiots who thought they had took him by surprise. They had, something he was loath to admit, but it would take more than a lousy sudden appearance to take him down. He decided to wait it out and watch the monkeys perform before either devouring them or ripping them apart. Only, the act grew tiresome; even when they were amusing him by naively assuming they had him captured.
Shifters weren't captured. Like that girl had said; they were gods.
He hadn't realised his feet had taken him to the camp's entrance until he heard his men (those who were brave enough or well acquainted) shouting at him, questioning his absence. Though not many dared, so it seemed like his luck had placed all who were familiar with him closer to the exit.
He sharply ignored them and walked past, his eyes closed off to their intrusive stares and comments.
That girl.
The frown returned with a vengeance as he remembered her sudden appearance, just as the leader of the circus made a show of trying to cut off one of his digits. It would take stronger steal to do the job, yet it could still cause him a nasty sting.
As he was about to move (in fact he had actually twitched, prepared to swiped the asshole's head from his shoulders) he smelt it... and heard her. In the back of his mind, he had acknowledged that familiar scent of blood, yet he'd pushed it aside.
Especially when she started shouting at them all and talking back to a bandit leader. He had to wonder if she was brave or just a moron.
"Sir, the troops have rested well, we're ready to head out"
He didn't glance up at his second in command. He didn't particularly like the invasive Captain, yet he was unable to choose his own second as the Commander himself had picked him. Really, what was his brother thinking?
"Prepare to leave"
Reaching the village would take an hour at the least, for the benefit of the soldiers on foot. Whilst shifted, his large footsteps could carry him further than the horses they were limited by, yet doing so often freaked even his own men out. Besides, they weren't too far from Adel; such measures wouldn't be necessary.
"Sir, are you alright?"
"You big... st-stupid m-mutt! W-What the h-hell was that for?!"
Putting extra effort into revealing the depths of his irritation, he glanced over and stared out his Captain, who shifted almost unnoticeably. He saluted him, his arm crossed over his chest, and then left without another word.
He'd have been a whole lot better if his every other thought wasn't of that irresponsible girl. Time to seek the presence of the blonde who unashamedly called him his best friend. He always took his mind of things.
* * *
In what seemed like an hour's walk (it was probably less, but she was hungry, tired and cold thanks to the idiotic dog) she made it to the outskirts of a depressing little village she could only assume was Adel.
It lay further than she remembered Cardel had in the real world, but she didn't swell on that fact. The two separate names alone told her not to expect they were one in the same; not that she didn't hope.
The village didn't seem too protected, like a border village should be. There was plenty evidence of an invasion on the northern side, but she was appalled to find the only defences set up seemed to be that of the enemy country. It seemed unlikely they'd destroy any previous defences around the village, so if Konoha were so worried about a take-over, why wasn't the place guarded against the possibility of an invasion?
She quickly stopped worrying on the village's state when she approached the front gate and found two soldiers (guards, most likely) bickering at one another about something she couldn't decipher.
She approached them slowly, not wanting to freak them out with a sudden appearance and a 'good day'. When it became apparent they were oblivious to anything other than themselves, she began to walk around them and head into the village.
The two spears of the guards quickly crossed in front of her, making her stumble to an abrupt stop and back up from their makeshift barrier. They almost sliced her nose off!
"No admittance into the village!" One barked.
The other one chimed in quickly, "What's your purpose for visiting Adel?"
Then, as if they'd only just noticed, they paused and glanced down at her apparel, then looked at one another and laughed. Rude twerps! If there was one thing she hated, it was when she wasn't taken seriously.
"I didn't realise I needed your permission. I'll go where I like!" She replied hotly, crossing her arms in a huff.
One of the guards straightened up, traces of a smile still on his face. "We've been ordered to section off this side of the village. No entry is allowed!"
"Fine, then I'll go in through another side," She walked away, intending on circling the village and trying another entrance when the guards walked in front of her and stopped her once more. She glared at the connections the spears made.
"No entry is allowed!"
"Go back the way you came!"
Idiots, she seethed inwardly, glancing over at the exposed entrance the guards had left open. If she dashed, she could make it inside and lose them easily. But then again, it'd cause a ruckus and she didn't want to draw any more attention towards herself than she already was.
"I'd love to, but I didn't know time travel was possible in the future, let alone your grimy past," She commented offhandedly, feigning her perfected innocent look.
The guards took the bait and looked at one another. "Time travel?"
"Precisely," she agreed, holding out a finger as she explained her point. If from what she understood about their first impression was right, her tactics would be a cinch. "If you think I dress oddly, you should see the future. I was a little surprised at first; I thought everyone I met was joking when they told me it was the year 1509. Far from the present year of 2009, don't you think?"
The guards openly gawped at her, baffled at her long-winded speech and unsure of how to react. They kept glancing at one another, unsure what to make of it.
Eventually, Tweedle-Dee spoke up. "Don't lie to us! There's no such thing as time travel!"
Tweedle-Dum piped up too, stumbling over his words as he looked over at his friend. "Actually, my cousin Meledew has been to the future. Yeah, remember when he went missing?" Dee looked confused, as did Sakura. "Said he found a flute, and when he played it, it sent him hundreds of years into the future."
Sakura raised a fine eyebrow, glanced over at the first guard and shared a look. The first turned back in protest. "Rubbish! You and I both know he lies as much as he sleeps!"
"It's true! He even aged when he returned."
"He was gone for ten years!"
The first shook his head, unwilling to believe the sense Tweedle-Dum spoke. "He had these strange markings all over his body; even he couldn't explain those!"
The second scoffed, "That's because he spends half of his day so drunk he can barely remember his own name!"
Sakura sighed and walked past the two arguing guards without difficulty. Even as she walked away, their whining voices could still be heard as their argument continued. But before she could even decide on her next move, a pleasant, familiar voice called out to her.
"Miss! Miss!"
The middle-aged woman she'd met along the roadside waved at her, rushing forward to her side and placing a hand over her chest. "I began to worry when I asked around and nobody had seen you. Did you get lost?"
Sakura smiled and shook her head, "I took a little detour towards the lake." Her mind flashed to the damn dog again and her teeth clenched together in frustration.
The woman gasped and placed a hand over her mouth, "You didn't! That area is popular among bandits; particularly Luther! I'm surprised to see you alive!"
A picture of the bandit leader with the enormous axe flashed in mind and she smiled, so as not to worry the woman. "I didn't see anyone," she lied quickly.
The woman nodded and took Sakura's hand. "We were just about to sit down to dinner; come and join us! Tell us where you're from!"
Sakura blushed, protesting as the woman dragged her through the streets she hadn't had time to inspect. "Ah, that's fine really. I don't want to impose!"
Her stomach chose that moment to release a loud moan, protesting against her refusal to eat free food. She glanced away when the woman smiled knowingly, "It's no problem, really."
The streets of Adel, she found, were as abysmal as the cities outside image. Whether it was thanks to the night which hung overhead, or the eerie glow of the crescent moon, the streets were dark and murky. Small, misshapen houses with thin thatched roofs and creaky wooden walls sat gloomily at uneven intervals, each with their own tales of life from inside. The gaps beneath the doors glowed warmly.
Sakura sighed, spotting several homeless men and women huddled between the houses, making use of their structure to block the chilling wind. Some, she was pained to see, even held children in their arms protectively, and whispered among each other secretively. Each gazed up at her solemnly as she passed.
The town seemed... devastating. Whether the soldiers had influence over the situation of the villagers or not was uncertain. She felt like she was standing within a ticking time bomb; it was little wonder the town didn't survive, as she suspected. After all, she'd never heard of Adel before, and no town would be placed so close to another. Its demise was only logical.
Eventually, they came across a similar house, and the woman wasted no time in pushing open the door, and letting Sakura inside. She immediately identified the little boy, crowding around an elderly woman, who patted his head and spoke to him with a low, croaky voice. His eyes were dancing happily with wonder, until she walked in and his attention was drawn to him.
He avoided her eyes quickly (shyly, she noticed) and sat down quietly as the old woman watched her with wise, blue eyes.
"You... are not from around here," was the greeting she received from the elder. She bowed lowly, confusing the surprised woman.
"No. At least not in this time," she blurted out before she could help herself. She avoided her gaze when the brunette woman who invited her frowned for a moment, confused by her words. Apparently, they didn't hold her interest long.
"It's as I thought!" The woman holding her hand said gleefully. She dropped her hand and held her own together in front of her mouth, barely containing her excitement. "Please tell me, have you any word of the capital?"
"K-Konoha?" She guessed, knowing the great capital had stood for longer than history had known. The woman nodded, her hopes rising with Sakura's confirmation. Only, Sakura didn't know anything. "Sorry, I don't know anything."
The woman lost the glee her smile had held, yet she maintained the gesture somewhat crookedly out of politeness. "I see"
From outside the small hut, the sounds of men screaming at one another quickly filled the air and the small family of three froze. Sakura glanced behind her, noticing the doors across the distance had opened swiftly, and families piled out onto the streets, holding one another tightly.
Sakura walked out, squeezing through the crowds, followed closely by the middle-aged woman, who nervously wrung her hands together, looking down the street towards the village's entrance. Soldiers - many soldiers Sakura would have never expected to have been contained within such a small village - ran through the streets, heading out to guard the entrance against the unknown threat.
"Sound the alarm!"
"They're here"
"Gather the men, quickly!"
"Take your positions"
Sakura felt her body turned colder than the thick night's air, and even though this war had nothing to do with her, she felt herself overcome with concern and fear. The families all around her were very much the same, only they openly revealed their worry, mumbling and crying amongst one another in fright. After all, it was Mist versus Fire, and the small village and all its inhabitants were in the way.
"They're finally here," the woman spoke emotionally. Sakura glanced over at her.
"This place is gonna get dangerous; isn't there anywhere you can escape to?"
The woman didn't look at her; her steely gaze was fixated on the soldiers running from the village and out to meet the enemy; but she shook her head.
Whether it was a sense of defeat or she was truly answering her question, she spoke, "There's nowhere to hide."
"Then leave the village. Gather everyone outside, away from the fight. Mist cannot condemn you for leaving at a time like this and Konoha is fighting to claim the village back. Make sure to stay out of the way until things calm down."
The woman looked up at Sakura with wondrous eyes, the lines beneath them becoming prominent as she turned her head towards the moon. A worn out, beautiful woman in Sakura's opinion. She'd love to have seen her when she was younger.
Understanding Sakura's words, the woman nodded, and glanced around at the prying ears of her neighbours, who were staring at Sakura oddly. "You heard her; get everyone outside of the village, away from the battle. Keep together."
After hesitating, the crowds looked to one another, each concerned and unsure of the wisdom behind leaving the comfort of the village. Sakura's patience snapped.
"If they move the battle inside the village, you'll find yourselves trapped and separated! Move out or risk your own lives!" She shouted at them none to gently. She was used to bellowing at her aunt for her own protection when they raided their many sites. She was used to shouting at the men who opposed her or didn't listen when danger approached. Not this.
The command seemed to work; and she realised with a start that this was what the people lacked; a command, and order from someone ready to be responsible for them. Wasn't there a leader within the village?
As if reading her thoughts, the hospitable woman beside her shook her head, hesitant to leave. "When Mist invaded, they killed out mayor. Without someone to guide them, they're lost and confused."
"Who did the responsibility go to after he died?"
"His daughter, Isabel; but Mist's Captain kept her close. We rarely see her now."
"Where is she?"
The woman frowned, unsure of what Sakura's intentions were. "She should be in the centre of town, within her father's house. It became their base of operations."
Sakura nodded and turned to head for the house and find this Isabel, but the woman by her side snatched her wrist and held her back almost desperately. "Where are you going?"
"Where do you think?" She replied with a disbelieving frown. "The villagers need a leader."
"Couldn't you-?"
"No way! I'm no leader, and unless they have their rightful heir, some will be doubtful and unsure. Tell them to wait for Isabel."
"Wait, it's dangerous! Those men are horrid!"
Sakura turned and smiled at her, "Don't worry; I'm pretty damn horrid myself!"
The woman blinked disbelievingly and slowly nodded, not happy with the idea but unable to complain any further. She turned to find her son and mother waiting for her, their faces fearful and unsettled. She quickly hurried them off to follow the crowd of villagers moving together as a group.
Sakura didn't bother watching any longer. As she set off into a frantic run for the centre of the run-down village, she found herself lost in her thoughts again. Why did she find herself in these situations? Whenever something happened, she found herself volunteering to do the unbelievable. Then again she usually did so in the present too. Still, she doubted she'd be able to stand back and watch the village being destroyed with no one to help the villagers.
When she made it to the Adel's entrance, she glanced out at the blanket of soldiers descending the hill, colouring it in an ominous shade of black as the darkness refused to shine light down on their silver armour. When Fire's soldiers collided with the front line Mist had hurriedly put together, the men fought a battled of strengths and overthrew those on horses. They quickly entangled themselves with one another, and the sound of bloody war cries and clashes of metal grew louder and messier.
She was too horrified to look away.
* * *
They spread quickly down the hill, charging at the feeble line the intruders had barely managed to create in time. He didn't bother joining in to test their strengths, instead jolting his horse into action and jumping over their defences. Some men headed for him, but before he even needed to draw his sword, his own soldiers had managed to pull through and surround him. The blue eyed hellion he'd prefer as his second came into view quickly.
"Sasuke!"
He glanced over his shoulder at the blonde and nodded, turning in time to kick an approaching guard away from his steed. They both trampled onward, until their horses were freed from the sea of bodies, and then ran quickly through the village.
As any good soldier knew, taking out the leader left the troops confused and weary.
* * *
When the manor came in view, Sakura could barely believe the brilliance of the brick building. So unlike its surrounding neighbours, the house held a dark elegance about it, yet it was plain save for the lit torches mounted all around the outside.
The door pushed open easily enough, and she charged up the stairs, passing through what little defences the manor still held. She could only assume its guard was down because the men were sent to the battle close by.
Still, that didn't mean the manor was unguarded.
Running her acquired blade through the last of the men in her way, she walked towards the double doors at the end of the house and took a breath. She tried not to count the men left whimpering by the doors, or up the stairs she'd raced up. She had tried, in vain, to talk sense into them. In the end, all she could do was take them down, making sure to miss organs and other fatal points in their body. Most had bloodied arms or legs, yet didn't bother getting back up to try again.
She steeled her resolve and pushed open the last doors. When they creaked open and jarred, the sole occupant of the room turned from the giant, curtained window and stared at her incredulously. In his hand was a half-drunk glass of red wine; she almost grimaced at the sight he created. He seemed a little too calm.
Then his eyes lowered, and for a brief moment, she thought he was staring over her apparel and thinking up a witty remark. Only, his eyes weren't drawn to her bare legs, or nearly-visible cleavage (no matter how small). She, too, followed his line of sight and sighed. The blood began to run down the length of the blade she clutched and drop from its tip to the wooden floor.
"Where is she?"
The man looked generally confused. "Who?" His smooth baritone asked.
"Isabel"
He turned his head calmly and Sakura followed, off into the corner where a young woman was huddled, shaking. For the first time, Sakura noticed that they were situated in a rather large study. Bookshelves lined the room, from the floor to the ceiling, barring the window where the unknown male stood quite calmly.
Isabel was quite a lovely woman, Sakura realised. With an ample chest and long legs, she was surely someone the village treasured. Yet her dirty blonde hair was tousled and thrown over her face, and the beginnings of a swelling had taken over her cheek. She'd clearly been handled rather roughly. Her deep, brown eyes locked onto Sakura's and she held her gaze.
Help me.
Sakura turned her gaze back onto the man. "I take it you're the cause of the invasion?"
He sighed and glanced down into his glass, swishing the liquid in circles. "I led the troop, if that's what you mean."
"I just came for her; the villagers need her with them until the battles over. It's not safe here."
Some part of her noted that he must surely realise the villagers could hardly defend themselves against either forces. Staying out of the way was in their best interests, and having the heir with them would calm them down.
The man looked back up at her, yet she couldn't distinguish his features thanks to the moonlight which poured through the window. He was a mere shadow.
"A woman warrior? Have Konoha really fallen so low?"
Sakura frowned, "I'm not part of Konoha's troops, nor am I a warrior. Surely you can see no harm in letting her stay with the villagers until things settle down?"
"Not a warrior?"
He seemed ignorant of any conversation leading to her taking Isabel from his clutches, she realised.
"I see, then," he paused, placing the glass down onto the small table by the luxurious red chair. "That makes this much easier."
Before she could blink, he had unsheathed the thin blade from his side and began charging at her. She barely had time to lift her own up to block the attack, while Isabel clutched her head and screamed out.
* * *
When he ran up to the main doors, he stood stiff upon the sight of writhing bodies leading up the grand staircase. The doors were both thrust open, and the manor had lost all of its warmth to the night's cold air, which filtered through the home.
He stepped through, glancing back to nod at the blonde who paced the doors, taking care of the situation outside.
As he descended the stairs, his eyes roamed over the injured men who lay moaning, clutching at their wounds like babies. Arms had been sliced, along with calves, shoulders and even backs. None were fatal; his mind briefly acknowledged as he reached the top of the stairs and followed the trail of whining soldiers. Who had done this?
As he rounded the corner leading to the back of the house, the vision of wide open doors and a library beyond could be seen. He approached a little slower, caution taking over his instincts when nothing moved. As he drew nearer to the doors however, a man tumbled forwards into view and then rolled to his side, avoiding he blade which had come crashing down and impaled itself into the floor. The moonlight obscured his vision of the shadows, yet he could make out when the man raised himself and sent his foot into the other, who had lost grip of their sword.
The force sent them hurtling towards the doors, where they landed and rolled over with a moan... a feminine moan.
"Glad you could join us, Lieutenant."
To Be Continued...
Review please. I know there are more people reading than reviewing. Anonymous reviews will be accepted throughout the story.
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