W-F-A-E – Behind the Inland's Mist
Summary – Four girls born in different countries of the world, brought together by a prophecy. May their journey be long and perilous, satisfying and joyful...may they encounter those loving and those heartless; the line between love and hate blur, lust and desire mingle, betrayal and forgiveness emerge. Let their journeys...bring them to each other.
Couples – Sakura-F-/? – Ino-E-/? – Temari-A-/? – Hinata-W-/?
You will learn the couples as we go, ^_^''
Rated: M
Genre: Adventure/Romance
NOTE: NO INNER DEMONS! Just so you know. ^_^''
-x-x-x-
Training: A Following of Shadows
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To JOY; give thanks,
To sip and suck and drink of thee,
To quench the fires within,
To spread the pleasure to my soul,
Thanks be to JOY,
To ANGER; give thanks,
That burns and lights a fire within,
That allows me distance from my pain,
That moves me when I would be still,
Thanks be to ANGER.
To LOVE; give thanks,
That fills my soul with light,
That gives a pleasure shared,
Thanks be to LOVE,
To PAIN; give thanks,
That stops me when I would do wrong,
That gives me access to my soul,
That is the prod to guide me on,
Thanks be to PAIN,
For JOY is the WATER of which we drink,
ANGER the FIRE that burns within,
LOVE the very AIR we breathe,
And PAIN the EARTH from which we grow.
When these four come to birth,
Their mothers soon return to earth,
Souls will return throughout the years,
And they will fight and mend our fears.
.~.~.~.
May the day come...we give thanks...
-x-x-x-
(Fire Country, Konoha)
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"Hinata-Chan~" Sakura smiled, moving behind the girl, she used her foot to fix the girls stance. "You'd be knocked over before the fight even started. You should train with daddy and me! Though...after I talk things through with daddy, of course...he's still going to kill me after he finds out I snuck out."
"Snuck out, huh?"
She froze in mid-demonstration and gave a sheepish laugh before turning to see her dad leaning against a tree with his usual uniform in place and mask on. A lazy look in his eyes, but she saw the worry laced in them too. She walked up to him and took note of Izumo who was standing behind him. "Tattletale," She muttered.
"None of that, you aren't in trouble."
Sakura brightened at that and rushed forward, hugging Kakashi tightly around his waist.
"Now, why have you kidnapped the Hyuuga Heiress? Obviously you managed to talk her brother, Kiba and by the looks of those clothes, his sister, into being accomplices to your scheming too." He pulled out a book and she frowned, "Before you ask, it's new."
"I keep throwing those out, and you keep bringing them in...It's not good to read that rubbish; it'll turn your brain to mush!"
He chuckled, "You haven't answered my question."
"I didn't kidnap her! I suggested we train, she agreed! Right?" She looked to Hinata who gave a nervous nod.
"...her...train?"
"Daddy, will you train with us!" Her eyes sparkled at the thought.
"...fine."
"YAY!" She ran back to Hinata and took her hands in hers, "Now daddy is a Shinobi, so he's better at teaching than I am...you'll be able to follow better with him teaching us!"
"Mind if I join?" Neji asked from where he stood in the shade of the trees next to Kiba; moving to stand next to Hinata when he nodded.
Kakashi turned to Kiba who pulled his hands from his pockets. "What the hell, I'll partake..."
Sakura grinned; she loved her father so much. She lived every day of her life with the notion that making her father proud if her was all she needed. She would continue training, she would continue studying and she would continue learning. Perhaps her intense knowledge...maybe...would come in handy...someday...
-x-x-x-
(Earth Country, Iwa)
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Shikamaru watched the two at the gates of Iwa. He, Ino and Chouji were leaving on their own to...well...he didn't really know where. It was all on a whim, and Ino said she'd tell them once their parents prying ears were out of hearing range. 'In other words, you'll know when we get there. Che, what does she take them for, gossipmonger's? Prying ears...' He sighed, "How troublesome..."
"Shikamaru! You coming, or are we waiting for your royal carriage to take us there perhaps?"
"Keh; if anyone requires a carriage, Ino...it's the whiny spoilt princess." He commented, following after Chouji and his female friend.
"Whatever you lazy-pineapple!"
"..." His left eye twitched at the name, but other than that, he made no show that he'd hear her remark.
"You two aren't going to argue all the way to wherever we're going, are you?" Chouji asked, taking a barbeque chip from the bag in his hand.
"Be quiet Chouji!" Ino was insistently bossy since her father had found out about her leaving. She glanced behind her and stared at the gates where Inoichi, Shikaku, Chouza and of course Chouji's mom and Shikamaru's mom, stood watching them off. "Let's go..."
The three took off in a run, disappearing into the forest and vanishing from the sights of the parents who would worry about their children from then on.
"So...where are we going?" Chouji asked.
"...I here Konoha's nice this time of year." Ino said as she jumped from branch to branch.
"Konoha, huh..." Shikamaru smirked, "The heart of the Fire Nation...I hear it's got a clear view of the sky there."
"I just hope the food's as good as I heard."
"..." Ino smiled, 'Finally, something new...'
-x-x-x-
(Wind Country, Somewhere)
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Gaara followed his sister and brother with a small frowned. They were doing this for him, since his father was going to send him away...but why? He was okay with leaving...no, he didn't want to, but if his father said it was for the best...then... No! He shook his head; he couldn't think like that! 'Sister is risking her own safety; to see to mine...I will follow her without reserve!'
"Oi!" Kankuro called back, "Keep up, brat!"
"Kankuro!" Temari popped him upside his head and smiled at Gaara, "Let's keep a steady pace, okay Gaara?"
"..." He wanted to be helpful to his sister, not hold her down. "Right!" He ran up to her and slowed his pace to an even run with her and Kankuro.
Kankuro grinned, "He's such a big boy, keeping up with the adults and all!" Kankuro laughed, only to be hit on the back of his head once more. He stopped laughing and turned to see Temari staring at him with a raised brow.
"What adults are you talking about? I'm seventeen, you're fifteen and Gaara's twelve, what adults?"
"..."
"Yeah, that's what I thought. Now no more talking, we should be in Fire Nation by nightfall. We'll probably be taken to the Hokage or something since we're passing the boarders without passports, and...that's if we're lucky."
Gaara looked at his sister curiously, "What if we aren't lucky?"
"..." She smiled down at him, "You don't need to worry about that, not right now, at least."
"..."
Kankuro watched the exchange, 'If we aren't lucky...we'll probably be killed on the spot. I know Suna doesn't take kindly to trespassers...I don't know how Fire Nation is...with those who aren't from their lands...or their friendly neighbors.'
"KANKURO! DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME? I SAID..." SHE brought her foot up and kicked him square in the middle of the back, sending him flying past Gaara in a rush of wind, "GET GOING~!" She fumed at having to walk all the way back to drag 'kick' him from his thoughts. "Come on Gaara,"
"Right,"
The two continued running as Kankuro dizzily tried to run in a straight line, stumbling every once in a while as he tried catching his breath.
-x-x-x-
(Fire Country, Konoha)
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Hinata was flushed in the cheeks, her bangs soaked with sweat, clung to her forehead like the underside of her hair did with her neck. "S-Sakura-Chan..." She called softly as she tried to catch her breath, "I should...p-probably...head home now. My father will wake up shortly, I...I would p-prefer to avoid h-his anger."
"Hm?" Sakura looked up from where she sat on the grassy ground. "It is about that time..." She smiled, "I'll walk back with you then!" She looked to her father who nodded, and then back to Hinata who smiled in thanks. Neji stood up and Sakura called out to Kiba, "I'll meet up with you at Naruto's, kay!"
"Yeah, alright!"
The three took off towards the Hyuuga compound, Hinata in a better than good mood, having made two new friends on the first morning since getting to Konoha and gaining a few lessons in Taijutsu as well.
"Your f-father is very k-kind, S-Sakura-Chan."
"Eh? HE'S SO PERVERTED! He's really lazy too!" She smiled softly to herself, "But he's strong and smart, and he is nice, like you said. He's more understanding than most parents, trustworthy among both children and Konoha Shinobi; he does what he can to take care of us. Most importantly, he's gotta be one of the most loving dad's ever...I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world."
Hinata stared at her for a moment before smiling, "I'm h-happy that I can be friends w-with such a w-wonderful person."
"Wonderful person?" Sakura frowned, "Who?"
Neji and Hinata looked curiously before smiling at her, "You of course, S-Sakura-Chan!"
"ME?" She stared flabbergasted and laughed, "I'm not as wonderful as you may think, but I'll take it!"
They stopped before the compound where an angry looking man stood.
"Uh oh..." Hinata looked worriedly between Sakura and her father. "I-I'll see you...another d-day...Sakura-Chan..."
"Hm?" She smiled, "Is this your dad?" She pointed at the man.
"Y-yes. H-Hiashi Hyuuga, of the main branch, h-head of the Hyuuga Clan."
"Wah? Cool!" She ran up to him and bowed respectfully, "It's an honor to meet you sir! My name is Sakura Hatake; nice to meet you!" She said, holding her hand out to shake.
He stared dangerously at her before taking her hand in his in a strong grip. Her's for a child, was similar to that of Neji's, but nothing compared to that of an adult, still, impressive for a child, and a girl at that.
"I'm sorry that Hinata wasn't here when you woke up, I'm sure it must have caused worry for you, but she was in good hands! I kind of kidnapped her and your son." She smiled, "Again, sorry about that!"
"..." Hinata frowned as Sakura carefully laid out all the blame for their absence on her shoulders. "F-father,"
Hiashi turned his eyes from the girl to his own daughter.
"Though...i-it is true that she s-snuck into the compound and into both o-of our rooms, the d-decision to follow her l-laid fully o-on me. N-Neji followed me to keep me out o-of harms way, but I ch-chose to go. I'm r-ready to a-accept any punishment you feel is needed!"
His eyes widened. Hinata; his weak-minded, timid, frail, delicate, cowardly and constantly uneasy daughter...had grown a backbone within just the few hours she'd been with this girl...this...Sakura Hatake. "Go inside, both of you,"
Hinata and Neji bowed and said soft farewells to Sakura before leaving. Hiashi stood silently before her until he was sure the two were out of hearing range. "What happened during her time with you?"
"...well...we trained. I came here to see if she would train with me, and she agreed...um...my father trained with us, as did Kiba...the Inuzuka Heir."
"I see; who is your father?"
"Kakashi Hatake, you should be able to find him with the Hokage."
"I will pay him a visit later."
"Alright then," She smiled, "I should head home. I would very much like to clean up and grab something to eat. Have a good day, Hyuuga-Sama!" She took off without another word, leaving him to stare after her before going inside to deal with the other two.
-x-x-x-
(Earth Country, Somewhere)
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Ino clenched her fists irritably. "WHY ARE WE STOPPING!"
"I'm hungry!" Choji glared, "I want good food! None of those berries and leaves! Besides, most of the berries in this forest are poisonous and will cause digestive problems! We can stop and eat here!"
"What's the problem Ino? It's not like we aren't stocked with money. Between your dad, my dad and Chouji's dad, we've all been given enough money to get us settled in Konoha, at least an apartment, groceries, and we can get jobs. Let's eat here."
"..." She sighed, "Fine, but between us, no more than necessary with food. In other words...Don't order the menu, Chouji!"
"Mm," Chouji glared, but said nothing otherwise. The three entered the small eatery and took note of the cozy feel it had before sitting at a table.
"I reckon you three kids must be headin' into Fire, or are you comin' here to Earth?" A woman with brown hair tied up in a bun and blue eyes said as she walked over to their table. She handed the three of them menu's before offering a smile.
"We're heading to Fire," Ino answered as she scanned the menu. "Just the freshly tossed salad for me,"
"I'll have the house Raman." Shikamaru answered without looking at the menu.
"Hmm~"
"...your friend here isn't so easily capable of choosin' what to eat, is he?"
Ino frowned, "No, he isn't."
"I'll get the pork chops dish and a side of your barbeque ribs!"
"Anything else? Drinks perhaps?"
"What teas do you have?" Ino asked.
"Well, we have a specialty blend for morning, it kind of calms the nerves, but wakes you up. We have Earl Gray, a berry blend that gives you a kick; our Black Forest Tea is charmin', if I do say so myself! Oh, and then we also have a regular sweet ice tea."
Ino thought it over and smiled, "I'll have your morning blend that you mentioned."
"Sweet Ice Tea,"
"Sweet Ice Tea,"
Ino looked the two over and sighed at how boring they could be at times, "And that's all."
"It'll be out in just a while! Ya'll just sit back and relax!"
Something inside gave Ino the feeling that sitting back and relaxing would be easier said...then done.
-x-x-x-
(Wind Country, Somewhere)
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"Sister Temari..." Gaara called out to her, taking hold of her hand in his.
"Hm? What is it?"
"...it feel's like we're being followed...but I don't see anyone..."
She stopped walking and turned around; Kankuro looked over his shoulder and gazed out over the sand curiously too. "...we should speed up, if we cross the boarder...we're in Fire territory...Suna can't touch us...father...can't touch us..."
"It may not be father..."
She knew what Kankuro meant only too well. She'd been trained to kill anyone who even pulled a weapon on her, since so many had tried to take her life at the mere knowledge of her being one of the four Prophecy Children. She hoped...that the other three...were having better luck in the...assassination...part of their lives. "Let's keep going."
-x-x-x-
(Fire Country, Konoha)
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Sakura lay down on her back on the couch. Her father was in a meeting with the Hokage, joined by a woman by the name of Kurenai that had come with the Hyuuga clan, as well as Itachi, Anko and a few others. At the moment, she was reading over one of the Hokage's skill jutsu books that she'd gotten permission to borrow. Unlike most kids in Konoha, she didn't go to the Shinobi school of Konoha. Instead, her father trained her, and the Hokage would test her occasionally, giving her the same exams, quiz's and tests that the others took. She just moved at a quicker pace than the other kids of Konoha. The Hokage had compared her to Itachi Uchiha, who was a prodigy genius and prodigy Shinobi.
~CRASH~
Sakura shot up and flipped off the couch in time to avoid a kunai aimed at her head, imbedding itself deep into the cushion of the couch. '...An...assassin?' She frowned, "Show yourself!" A black cloaked figured appeared before her and she took a small step back. "Who are you!"
"...my name isn't important, at this time. However, if you live long enough that we meet again...I shall tell you then." The person hidden beneath the black cloak turned to leave and Sakura held back a feral growl.
"THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" A fire burned deep within her eyes and she pulled the Kunai from the couch cushion before throwing it straight at the cloaked figure that was quick to dodge it. However, she couldn't fight the smirk as she caught a glimpse of the face beneath the cloak. A man, with long reddish orange hair spiked, and an abundance of piercings along his nose and ears, his eyes hidden by the shadows and a scowl visible, stood before her. "Get out."
Her words echoed through the air before him, and then...he disappeared.
"..." She walked to the window and placed her hand on the Kunai that was sticking out of the wall. Pulling it, she caught the head covering of the cloak that had been removed with her well placed aim of the Kunai. "If we meet again...I'll be sure to kill you..." Sakura left her house to report the incident. She couldn't call it an assassination attempt...since...really...she hadn't been in any danger...however; the man most definitely gave way to one piece of information. Whatever it was that happened back there...it was sure to happen again...
...if you live long enough that we meet again...
No, she was positive...similar occurrences were sure to take place again...'I need to get stronger...I need to be able to protect myself...my friends...and...daddy...'
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Me: So, it's been awhile, but here is a new update! I hope everyone enjoyed! Please leave me reviews, Sankyu~! ^_^''