Author's Note: I know it's been such a long time that it looked like I have abandoned this story. Thankfully, I have finished and passed my NCLEX (foreign exam for nurses).
Although I'm still a bit busy in the hospital, I can breathe more.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
oOo
Chapter 4
Call it intuition or whatever but he knows there's something wrong with his friend. Maybe it's because out of all people, he understands him the most.
"You want to keep tabs on Uchiha Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked, his genius mind trying to search for possible clues to this peculiar request from the current Hokage.
"Yes, but make it discreet as much as possible."
"We are talking about Uchiha Sasuke here, ya' know." Shikamaru reminded him. Who the hell would they send to spy on the guy? The darn Uchiha have a fucking Sharingan and Rinnegan! He's absolutely sure no spy would get to him as close as a hundred meters without being roasted in black flames.
The only one who could fight Sasuke evenly is the one sitting in front of him. But he knows that the Nanadaime has already has too much work and responsibility especially with the upcoming Chuunin Exams. He barely has time for his family.
"I know," said Naruto. "It's just that something doesn't seem right about him nowadays."
"Sakura had just died. He is still in the mourning process." Although Shikamaru didn't know exactly the process of mourning for the said Uchiha. Because every time he saw him, his face was devoid of any emotion.
"Do you think he will leave the village again?" Shikamaru asked. If his hunch was true then what would happen to Sasuke's daughter, Sarada? Poor little girl. To lose her mother and now her absentee father would abandon her.
"Maybe…" Naruto trailed off. "But I don't think so."
"I'm not sure but I think something more serious than that. I just can't pinpoint exactly what it is but I know something is going on that he is purposely hiding from us," continued Naruto,
"Do you want to spy on Sarada too? Maybe we can get some information from the kid," Shikamaru suggested.
"No," replied Naruto. "The girl had too much already. I don't want to break her trust on us. On me as her uncle and I think she doesn't know anything either."
"Alright. I will try to gather our best spies for this but once the Uchiha gets a shot of this, he will flip out." Shikamaru exited the Hokage's office leaving Naruto more stressed out than ever.
oOo
It's been three days since Sarada last saw her father but he told her he would be coming back as soon as possible. When she asked if it's a special mission, he just looked at her and answered with a simple yes. Prior to that there were nights where she saw her father arriving late at night.
There was some shuffling of footsteps on the door and Sarada opened it to find her father looking exhausted.
Could the Hokage assigned her father another important mission just few weeks after the death of her mother? A mission that would last for years? She doubted the Hokage would do that since her mother just died and she's one of the Hokage's closest friends.
"Papa, how are you?" Sarada greeted him tentatively. Their relationship nowadays can be considered stable at the least. After her outburst, she was surprised to learn that her father acknowledged grief and didn't disregard her feelings just because she was a mere child.
He didn't answer her but just patted her hair. "Hn.."
"I just arrived from training. Sorry I was not able to cook I didn't expect you to be back so early." If her mother was still alive, no matter how busy she was in the hospital, she would have taken time to prepare for her father.
"It's okay. Let's just eat outside."
"Were you on an important mission?" She asked hesitantly.
It took him a few seconds to answer. "Ah."
"I see…"
Sarada knew not to inquire more since missions were supposed to be confidential. Considering his length of absence from her life, it must be very important.
More important than his family, she mused darkly.
Well, it's not as if she needed her father now. She survived without seeing him for more than a decade, he could leave for a mission again if he wanted to. Besides, her mother trained her to be independent if that's what's keeping him from leaving the village.
They went to a cozy restaurant located away from the main streets of Konoha. It was Sarada's first time to be in that place and she must admit that despite the simplicity of the place, it felt like home.
"Did you and Mama eat here before?"
His father's face fell for a split second before it returned to its previous impassioned state. "Yes. Why?"
Shrugging, Sarada took the menu and browsed. "Nothing, I remembered Mama saying one time of this place away from the main area that offers fresh catch. She said it was the best. But she never brought me here ever coz she's always busy in the hospital."
While waiting for their order, Sarada tried to fill the awkward silence by telling her father what and how she did at the Academy. Things she thought were pretty useless and boring to him but enough to fill the awkward silence.
"The Chuunin Exams would start in two weeks." She informed her father on which the latter just nodded. "I've been training with Boruto and Mitsuki and also Konohamaru-sensei."
"Academically, I think I won't be having any problems. I mean I've always been on top of my class but I think I need to prepare for the actual. They kept on saying that just because I have the Sharingan that I have the advantage but I don't think so…"
The waiter arrived to serve their food and Sarada felt her stomach rumble at succulent array in front of her.
"Itaedekamase!" She exclaimed and proceeded to pounce on her food.
A comfortable silence ensured between father and daughter as they ate their fills.
Sasuke watched his daughter discreetly as they ate, noting her voracious appetite for someone with that age and small body built. Just then, his peripheral vision caught something outside the window. He continued eating as if nothing happened but his senses were more alert now. Someone was watching him. Someone was watching over them.
In a flash, the person in front of Sarada vanished.
oOo
The blade of the Kusanagi gleamed against the pale throat of the former Root operative.
"Long time no see Uchiha-san," Sai said, a seemingly fake smile adorning his features. His ink creatures blended well against the shadows. It was one of his best weapons for counter-intelligence and reconnaissance missions. Yet, he was still discovered.
The Uchiha's right eye was red with Sharingan and the left eye was now visible with the Rinnegan. Others would have fallen on their knees on the sight but not the emotionless Sai. "Who sent you?"
"Classified."
This answer irked the Uchiha more. "If I found out that you've been working with the enemy, I would not hesitate to kill you."
He may be Naruto and Sakura's teammate when he left Konoha but he doesn't give a damn.
"I work with the Leaf Village's best interest at heart."
Sasuke placed the Kusanagi back on its scabbard. He knew that despite his journey of redemption, a lot of villagers were still wary about him. Does Naruto know about this? Or is Sai working alone outside Konoha's terms?
"Sarada is waiting for you." Sai reminded him.
"I don't care who you work for but tell them to stay out of my way."
oOo
Two weeks have passed and the Chuunin exams have finally begun. Delegates from different villages came to compete on an actual exam and be promoted to chuunins. This year, it was Konoha's turn to host the event and the village was bustling with activities to receive its visitors.
Sarada's team have successfully passed the two stages of the Chuunin exams and were now on the final leg which will see them on a one-on-one match against a stadium of crowd. Her first match was with Tarui, a genin from Kumogakure. With long, blonde hair and an indifferent look, Sarada can't simply read her opponent's plan.
"I need to win this for Mama," she thought to herself as the referee blew the whistle signaling the start of their match. Is her father even here to watch her fight? She highly doubted that he will find it interesting to watch a bunch of genins' competition.
The match ended quickly in her favor with her activated Sharingan and chakra-infused punch that sent her opponent flying on the wall. She was happy because a few more opponents and she would finally be a Chuunin.
"And the winner is Uchiha Sarada of the Hidden Leaf!"
She looked around the stadium and saw the Hokage and his wife waving on her. She smiled back at them. While Boruto's family are in full attendance, she has no one to cheer on her. If her mother was still alive, she would be on the bleachers, cheering at the top of her lungs. She had advanced to the finals and she would soon be facing one of her friends, she was sure.
She sat on the bleachers together with Mitsuki and the other genins and prepared to watch the next fight.
The large screen flashed and showed the next competitors.
Seventh match: Uzumaki Boruto versus Nara Shikadai.
There was a collective excitement form the crowd as the son of the current Hokage and his advisor, a genius in his own right.
"Seventh match: Begin!"
Boruto showcased his series of clones and attacked Shikadai, who in turn, used his shadow technique which was obviously taught to him by his father. However, all of his clones were caught by Shikadai and Boruto was left immobile.
"It would be great if you gave up soon," Shikadai smirked as he held out his kunai.
In turn, Boruto smirked and moved his right hand against the Shikadai's shadow technique. A number of miniscule scrolls fell from the sleeve of his arm and spontaneously exploded leaving the area filled with white smoke. Even Sarada can't help but smile at Boruto's determination.
A series of smoke bombs encircled Shikadai and revealed dozens of Boruto's clones after it dissipated. Surrounded with clones, Shikadai exhaled and raised his hands in surrender. "I give up."
"The winner is Uzumaki Boruto of the Hidden Leaf!"
"Amazing," Sarada clapped her hands. Her first match was easy and boring compared to Boruto and Shikadai's match. She saw her Uncle Naruto descend from the bleachers and walked towards Boruto. He must be very proud of his son.
"Dad! Did you see that?" Boruto exclaimed in excitement and threw his arm in the air that his father came to congratulate him. "Next up is the final round!"
But the Hokage caught Boruto's right arm and sleeve fell to show a metallic tool attached on his son's right arm. Activating her Sharingan, Sarada saw the Hokage's mouth formed words which were too low for the audience to hear.
"What's this about? This is prohibited in the exams."
Boruto looked away. "This is…"
Looking very disappointed and angry, Naruto lectured his son. "Using a ninja stool instead of your own chakra defeats the purpose of the Chuunin exam which to nurture new shinobi."
"Lee!" The Hokage turned to the green-clad referee. "Uzumaki Boruto is disqualified. Please change the winner to Shikadai Nara."
"Boruto, what have you done?" Sarada felt sad and angry for her friend. If he only trained harder, he won't need any use of such ninja tool. He has so much potential.
Boruto looked down in embarrassment as they announced his disqualification from the exams. Worse, the Hokage removed his forehead protector and beckoned him to get out of the arena. All of a sudden, he was shouting at his father.
"We'll talk later? Do you even have time for that, Dad?" Boruto stepped away and glared at his father. "If you had taught all of this to me before, I would have never ended up in this situation!"
Suddenly, they were interrupted by two scientists. One was holding a video recorder and the other was holding a microphone as if on a live report.
"Boruto wasn't able to win and we're very disappointed, Lord Seventh," the bespectacled scientist said with his accompanying cameraman. Then, he turned to the audience.
"Listen, everyone! Boruto used a Scientific Ninja Tool! It was prohibited here but there is no denying that this scientific ninja tool made it possible for him to reach this point. That is why-"
A large thing fell from the sky and landed on the arena. Immediately, the Hokage pushed Boruto behind. The mysterious man slammed the ground and caused the arena to crumble. People fell into chaos as debris and rocks started to fall. Sarada and Mitsuki tried to help and usher the civilian kids out of harm's way.
"This is the last child remaining." Mitsuki told her as he held a frightened girl.
"Take care of her," Sarada said and pointed to the east area of the stadium. "I will check over there." They might be more casualties out there and people need their help. She just walked a few steps to leave when a humongous block of rock fell on her.
"Sarada!" It was the last thing Sarada heard from Mitsuki as she closed her eyes for the inadvertent impact. She waited for the pain but after a few seconds, she found herself being held and carried away by her father.
"Papa?!" It was safe to say she was shocked at the appearance of her father. Where did he come from? Was he in the arena the whole time?
So many questions were running inside her mind.
"You don't look like you're hurt," Sasuke said as they dropped on the floor. A huge thing loomed in front of them. It was the enemy.
"It is payback to the last time," the enemy raised his arm preparing to crush them both.
She held into her father's neck and she felt his arm tightened reflexively on her. The enemy's arm halted against Shikamaru's shadow binding jutsu. They escaped and found themselves with the Hokage and Boruto.
"Boruto! Are you alright?" Sarada asked as she got off from her father. She would thank him later for saving her life.
"Yeah," Boruto answered. "What about you?"
"Who are those guys?" Sarada asked.
"I have no idea."
Aside from the monstrous guy who tried to crush them, there was another one smaller but looked nonetheless powerful. Both have pale skin and hair and horns protruding from their forehead. They have the same pale-colored eyes like Boruto's mother, Hyuuga Hinata. In comparison, the Hyuuga's eyes were gentle and the enemies' eyes were sinister like it could look straight into your soul.
"We can't use our powers here. We'll end up dragging everyone into this." Sasuke said to Naruto.
Naruto agreed with him. "It seems like I'm their target. I'll lure them." He turned to the enemies. "Who are you?"
I am Kinshiki Otsusuki," the smaller man said. "And this is Lord Momoshiki Otsusuki"
"What do you want from me?" Naruto asked.
'We want the Nine-tails. We will turn the scattered chakra into one fruit and finish what Kaguya failed to do in this seedbed."
"According to the scroll, it was recorded that these guys would come to steal the fruit of the chakra," Sasuke informed Naruto. "That's why Kaguya was amassing an army of white Zetsu."
"First, Kaguya and now this…"
"What do they plan on the fruit?"
"They are planning to make pills," Sasuke answered.
"Precisely," Kinshiki said. "As long as we have this, we are eternally young, immortal and invincible. You poor inconvenient humans. Unless you trained and persevere senselessly, you get nowhere. With his pill, instantly, with no effort and so easy I acquire this power!"
"Quit kidding around!" Naruto balked on him. "That's not true power."
"Vulgar creatures like you won't understand." Kinshiki looked at them in disdain.
"What will you do?" Momoshiki, the larger man asked his comrade.
"I didn't want to soil my garments but I shall do it anyway. I'll have to rearrange this seedbed and make it beautiful anyway." From his palm, a black orb appeared and started to grow bigger until it reached the size of the arena.
Sarada fell into her knees. Is this the end for all of them? For Konoha? "No…"
A clone of Boruto appeared on her right side and she smiled weakly at him return. If she will die, at least, she's with her father and friend. Too bad she was not able to make amends with her father.
Jets of fire attacked them but they were engulfed inside the chakra-infused fox-shaped head glowing in bright orange. The fire from the enemy bounced off and hit the stadium.
"Amazing…" Sarada thought as she looked around. She never knew the Hokage was this powerful. Sarada and Boruto merely looked at one another, amazed at each of their father's powers.
Then, Kinshiki started to attack them with various jutsus: lightning, water, fire.
"If the real you go down, it's all over…" Sasuke said as he stepped beside the Naruto and extended his hand. The chakra-infused fox head was now covered in a larger dragon-shaped purple armor and all Kinshiki's attacks skidded across it.
"Thanks, Sasuke."
"Uchiha and Uzumaki." Kinshiki smiled as he started to pummel them with bolts of lightning. "I will send you to meet your lady friend on the other world. Too bad, she was stubborn until her last breath."
Sarada saw her father and the Hokage stiffen. Her father was about to attack if not for the Hokage who halted him. Was the enemy referencing to her mother?
"He is taunting us," Naruto said in caution.
"I will kill him with my own hands." The Uchiha's wrath was visible with the dark aura emanating from him.
"We will kill him, Sasuke." Naruto said with conviction.
Naruto made more clones and Sasuke strengthened the armor around the fox-shaped chakra protecting them. However, Kinshiki's continuous powerful attacks started to make cracks on the armor until it started peeling away.
Then, the massive orb started to descend on them. The Hokage lowered his hand and said something to Sasuke before looking at her and Boruto. After a few seconds, Sasuke gave him a nod. Then, Sasuke changed his position and moved in front of her and Boruto while the Hokage remained in front.
"Kurama, you'd better be not out of shape!" The Hokage glowed brighter as a fox emerged out of him and held the orb.
"Dad!" She heard Boruto's cry and everything became blindingly white.
oOo
When Sarada woke up, she was in a hospital and saw her Aunt Ino beside her. She felt weak and thirsty. She tried to speak but her voice came out hoarsely. "What happened?"
"I'm glad you're safe, Sarada." Ino exclaimed as she helped her late best friend's only child to a glass of water. "You should rest some more."
Looking around her, Sarada found herself in one of the pediatric rooms of Konoha hospital. A few feet from her was Boruto looking straight on the ceiling with an expression she can't discern. Anger? Sadness? Guilt? Beside him, Hinata and Himawari were carefully peeling apples and beckoning him to eat.
"Where is Papa?" She asked fearfully. Her last memory was a blinding flash of white as the Hokage sacrificed himself. Did her Papa die too?
"He's in a meeting together with the other Kages. He believes that Naruto is still alive. They are planning to rescue him. He is the only one capable of going to another dimension."
"Ah, I see." Relief flooded through Sarada. No matter what happens, Sasuke is her father. At the same time, a small tinge of sadness seeped into her. Did her father know that she was confined in the hospital?
Sensing her unspoken question, Ino answered. "Your father stayed beside you all night. He just left this morning to join the plan for the retrieval of the Hokage."
"Really?" She asked disbelievingly. Based on her father's personality, he was the type who would prioritize missions above anything else.
Her Aunt Ino nodded. "Of course, darling. You are very precious to him."
oOo
That afternoon, she learned that the Lord Kages from the neighboring villages along with her father would be on a mission to save the Hokage. It seemed that it was only her father who has the ability to go to another dimension where the Hokage was currently held captive.
"I will be going with them," Boruto said firmly. He was wearing a battered orange jacket. "I'm going to save my father."
For the first time, she agreed with him. "I want to go too. They killed my mother."
Boruto squeezed her shoulder and together they went to Hokage Tower where the preparations have begun. He talked to his mother and surprisingly, she allowed him to go with the mission.
"I want to go too!" Sarada said with conviction. She knew that only high level ninjas are capable to fighting the enemy but if they allowed Boruto, why can't she go too? Her father would be there to protect her just in case.
Her father turned and looked at her. "No, Sarada."
"Boruto could go! Why can't I?!" She was fuming. It's unfair! How come Boruto gets to save his father while she can't avenge her mother's death?
Sasuke walked towards her and stooped at eye level. "I'm sorry, Sarada but you can't."
"Tell me why?!" Sarada glared at him. Tears started to pool on her eyes and she looked away. She didn't want her father to see her like this. "They killed Mama…"
It took a few seconds for her father to respond. "Yes… That's why I can't lose you too."
Something warm erupted inside her at his words. Now she understands her Aunt Ino's words to her at the hospital.
"You are very precious to him."
She focused her eyes on the floor and asked softly, "Will you come back?"
To her surprise, Sasuke poked her forehead. "I will, Sarada. I promise."
oOo
Author's Note: I know its way been too long. I had a writer's block due to the long months of not writing.
I've watched the last episode of Naruto Shippuuden and like everyone else, I have mixed feelings of happiness and sadness. I grew up watching Naruto and to see it end felt like closing a chapter of my childhood. I felt pity for Sakura because she was the only single lady out there but Chouji too (it seemed like he didn't meet Karui yet?). I hope they show a glimpse of Sasuke and Sakura's travel together because that's where they rekindled, got married and had Sarada so fans like us have some inkling of their connection.
Anyways, forgive me for the grammatical errors, I'm trying to proofread it. I want to look for a beta-reader but I doubt they will proofread it because it's still not finished.
