By The Kage's Orders (chapter four)
Last time Sakura had just awakened in Sound after being attacked by members of Root. However instead of ending in disaster Sakura was saved by the one person who was the cause of her heartache. Of course that's not to say that Sakura was to say happy once she saw who the new Kage was nor was she thrilled to learn that the person who she'd be staying with was none other than Sasuke Uchiha himself which brings us to the problem at hand…
As if being attacked by Root Ninja was tormenting on the mind and finding out that the man who broke your heart was now the leader of a whole village that once housed a mad man now under the rule of an egotistical anti-social nut job and to make matters worse said man was standing not a few feet away from her in casual clothes looking like he was king of the world. The mere thought made Sakura's blood boil.
"Well are you just going to stand there gazing at me or are you going to come with me into the den to talk like civilized adults or are you plotting to take my head off like you tried to do in my office this morning?" Sasuke smirked as he saw Sakura restrain her justified anger upon his person.
"Uchiha if it wasn't for the fact that you are the fucking Kage of this village or the shear fact that I'm an ambassador of the Leaf I would have taken you damn head off this morning when I had the chance, chakra or no chakra. Now how is it possible that I'm stuck living with you instead of an apartment far away from the likes of you!?" Sakura seethed as Sasuke descended the stairs to stand not ten feet in front of her.
"Okay I know it may seem like I'm up to something Sakura but I assure you my intentions are nothing if pure," Sasuke stood in front of Sakura being very cautious if she decided to attack. After being fed earlier Sasuke noticed that some of her chakra had returned and knew that if he made the wrong move it would be disastrous for him and his home.
"As I told you before in my office, that the people of this village are still recovering which also means that housing is very limited. This is still a recovering village and you being in a home that has people that used to be lab rats to Orochimaru is not a good idea. Also if anything happens to you while under my care, the Leaf would have the freeway to attack should anything happen to you. And I assure you peace is all I wish for." Sasuke then took a drink of whatever was in his glass.
"And the fact that Lady Tsunade already can't stand you along with ninety-five percent of the other kages who you tried to kill in the past has nothing to do with it Uchiha," Sakura glared at Sasuke who slightly glimpsed over his glass as she spoke.
"Of course there is that as well," Sasuke then placed his glass down and gave an exhausted sigh.
"Sakura look I know nothing I say or do will make amends for all the sins I've committed to not just the kages, the Leaf but to you but I would like a chance to amend some fences with time. All I ask is that you give me a chance to prove that," Sasuke then extended his hand to Sakura hoping his peaceful gesture would reach her. "So Sakura, I ask you to help me and in time I hope that I can regain the trust that we once had." Sasuke was surprised to feel Sakura take his hand but was not surprised when Sakura spoke to him.
"Okay given that you haven't tried anything funny since I got here and you are my host while I stay here I guess that I can put my pride aside and agree to this but don't think that this means that you can regain my trust. I'm here on a mission to help this village Uchiha, nothing more. The little girl who declared her love for you died years ago. And believe me when I say this, if I find out you have something up your sleeve, I'll see to that the kages won't have to worry about taking your head off cause I'll gladly do it for them. Are we clear Uchiha?" Sakura tried to remove her hand from Sasuke's but found it trapped within his ironclad grip.
"Oh believe Sakura I understand, I also understand that said little girl you said to be dead is a lie and I intend to prove it to you. You're not dead on the inside Sakura and I know it. And during your stay here I hope to make you see that." Sasuke then pulled Sakura closer so both were only a breath away from each other and stared into her emerald eyes.
"One of the main rules of being a ninja is never reveal your emotions in the face of the enemy Sakura," Sasuke then released her and trekked into the kitchen to check on dinner.
"Now I believe you wish to rest before dinner? Allow me to check on dinner first then I shall escort you to your room." And with that Sasuke disappeared leaving a flushed Sakura to her thoughts. It seemed that Sasuke was still able to read her like a book and saw through her harden lie to appear she was over him. If Sakura was going to survive the next two years she would have to bring her A-game.
'Well I guess living with him is better than nothing. Besides even he's not that foolish to try anything with the other kages breathing down his neck. Even Sensei swore she kill him if anything happens. The least I could do is give him a chance, but not without laying down some ground rules first.' Two minutes later Sakura saw Sasuke head back into the room and motioned for her to follow him up the grand stairs.
"Sakura please know that I do intend to give you the tour of this house tomorrow once I'm through with my duties, but for now I'll show you your room which comes with your own private bath." Sasuke saw a small smile ghost upon Sakura's lips before disappearing as they continued to walk.
"On the left is the study where you'll find an array of books at your disposal along with scrolls beyond the imagination. All I ask is that you treat the material within with the utmost care," Sasuke then opened the door and allowed Sakura to gaze upon the what was to be her private domain for the next couple years and was struck astonished. The room was beautiful even if it was in a simple design it was still grand. Sakura loved it but what she loved more were the French doors leading to a balcony that overlooked the garden below. Sakura would have explored the room further but Sasuke's voice brought her out of her daydream.
"I know the room is sparse but you can decorate it to your liking later," Sasuke then moved to the window and motioned for Sakura to follow. "From here you'll have access to the garden below, which you can plant many herbs." Sasuke then moved from the window and made for the door to stop in front of Momo for a few.
"Also I'll have a pet bed and supplies sent to your room for your canine companion." After that Sasuke left Sakura and Momo alone.
"Well at least he doesn't have bars on the windows, that has to say something?" Sakura spoke to the peach colored canine who just smiled at her. Sakura then moved to the bed and sat upon the edge and gave an exhausted sigh. While Sakura didn't show it in front of Sasuke, in truth she was drained, not just physically but mentally. For the life of her, Sakura couldn't think of what her former teammate was planning but decided to worry about once she went back downstairs and confronted the root of her pain and turmoil.
Once Sakura had unpacked her things and changed into some comfortable clothes, she began to descend the massive stairs to the den where she saw not Sasuke but a rather large dog with blood red eyes. The creature was the size of a wolf but it's eyes reminded her of that of the Uchiha that she would be living with. It both frightened and angered Sakura, but Sakura knew that striking this creature would result negatively upon her part since she was still recovering and Sasuke had a habit of popping up out of nowhere. There was also the slim chance that Sasuke used some jutsu to change into this form, either way Sakura wasn't taking any chances and began to walk around the giant creature who just stared at her as she and Momo walked past it.
'Well that was creepy, but this is Sasuke I'm living with so I should probably expect him to pull stunts like this from time to time,' Sakura was brought out of her musing as she stepped into the dining room and saw none other than the Uchiha in question placing the last plate on the table. Sakura then looked back and saw the same giant wolf/dog come closer to her and walk right up to Sasuke.
"I know you're shocked but believe me when I say that this creature wasn't me using transformation jutsu via the red eyes. This is Tenebris which translated means dark in Latin," Sasuke then moved to walk closer to Sakura and saw that she had changed out of her clothes from earlier into something more light.
"I know what tenebris means Sasuke, I spent two years going over medical books while training with Lady Tsunade. Majority of those books were written in nothing but ancient Latin and let me tell you, learning a dead language was not fun when you've only had about three hours of sleep if I was lucky to catch Lady Tsunade on good day and that was rare," Sakura saw Sasuke pull out her chair for her to sit and waited graciously for her to sit down before he took his seat.
"That's good to know Sakura, and that knowledge will come in handy when you read many of the medical books in my study. However before this conversation continues I would like you to know that I'm not up to anything Sakura. I gave you my word that I would be a gentleman during your stay here so if it's not too much to ask, could you please stop plotting my demise in your head? I have enough bounty hunters, S Class criminals and nut jobs out there who would be more than happy to fulfil that job." Sasuke smirked as he saw Sakura's face turn a bright shade of pink knowing that she was caught thinking just that.
"Okay, but you can't blame me Uchiha, the last time I met you, we weren't on the best of terms. So believe when I say trusting you is going to take a while." Sakura then felt Momo rub her head on her leg as said dog laid at her feet under the table.
"I know, and like I said before I truly hope to regain that trust but for now how about we sit and have dinner, I promise you'll feel better after a hot meal," Sasuke then took his seat and both ate in peaceful silence.
While both former allies dined together in peace, not all was peaceful in the Hidden Leaf thanks to a certain blonde ninja who just discovered the truth about Sakura's mission along with the rest of their friends sans Lee.
"GRANNY WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING SENDING SAKURA THERE!?" To say that Naruto was upset was putting it lightly. Naruto was close to busting a vein after hearing who was housing Sakura during her stay in Sound. The only thing keeping him from jumping over the table was the gentle hand on his. Naruto put his hand upon Hinata's as she tried to calm her furious boyfriend.
"Yeah I mean seriously Lady Tsunade why would you send Sakura on a mission where she would be stuck with the last person she wants to see right now? The chances of her trying to kill the fool for what he did are kinda high and I'm not just saying that because of the betting pool that Kiba and the guys started I'm saying that as her friend. Sakura will surely try and kill the fool and repercussions be damned about the mission." Ino knew that her friend would seek vengeance for what the Uchiha has done and would make it her goal to see the man suffer, but Ino didn't want her friend to lose her life trying.
"Look I know you're all upset about the whole thing and believe me when I say, I'm not overzealous about the whole situation as it is. But Sakura requested this mission and she must see it through. Also as for the ones that attacked her, they are being dealt with as we speak. It would seem that the Uchiha brat doesn't tolerate fools as much as I do." Tsunade then peeked at the letter she received three hours ago confirming that Sakura was in Sound and resting.
"That and you can continue your search for more information on the guys that attacked Sakura have nothing to do with it my lady?" Shizune was no fool and knew that her silly mentor had something else planned. There were days that Shizune wished her mentor wouldn't do some of the sneaky things she did but than that would be asking for a miracle.
"As much as I would like to give a rebuttal Shizune, I think now would be better spent getting some work done, via that talk I wanted to have with Naruto before this whole mess started." Tsunade then turned to Naruto who was both anxious and nervous about what was going to happen next.
"Now don't worry brat, I'm not going to kill you or anything but we are going to talk about your duties as the new head of your clan and what is expected of you and your future clan," Tsunade then dismissed the others and lead Naruto to the next room where the discussion of his birthright would begin. However once out of earshot, Tsunade stopped and motioned for Shikamaru to come forward.
"Nara, have you packed everything for your mission?"
"Yes although Lady Tsunade I don't understand why you wish for me to do this and not Neji or Kiba. This is more their type of mission." Shikamaru knew that his Hokage had another reason for choosing him and not his comrades but even this genius was stumped to find logic in this decision.
"I know but as you know Neji is the type to kill first and ask questions later and Kiba would take this too personally since the one you'll be looking for wrong not just his family, but almost cost Hinata her life on a mission a few months ago. Naruto would just kill the fool for what he did to Hinata, Choji, Sai and Lee well you get what I mean Nara. You are the only one that I can trust with this mission." Tsunade then handed Shikamaru a mission scroll with more details on his target and where his rendezvous was located.
"Well when you put it like that, then I accept this mission my lady," Shikamaru then left in a puff of smoke leaving Tsunade to pray that time was on her side and she could find the ones responsible causing this problem before things spiral out of hand and another war is thrusted upon them.
Meanwhile within Oto, Sakura was sitting on the bed that she would be using for the next couple of years and thought about her unknown future.
"This is going to be one of the hardest missions I have ever taken; and add into the fact that the one I have to report to is the man I want to kill right now makes it worse," Sakura groaned before laying back upon her new bed which was softer then she realized. Sakura almost purred in delight of the comfort of soft mattress which felt good on her sore muscles. Sakura then turned to her left and saw Momo curled up on the little doggie bed that Sasuke provided for the gentle creature. That was another thing that surprised Sakura, she had no idea that Sasuke was an animal lover but then again, Sakura didn't know much else about her former comrade before his life was filled with darkness and vengeance.
"Maybe a good night's sleep will help ease my mind," Sakura then gathered herself under the covers and turned off the light letting the soothing moonlight drift her into a peaceful slumber.
Unknown to Sakura, Sasuke was also wide awake but his reason were more so for business rather than uncertainty.
"Now are all of you aware of what you must be done?" Sasuke gazed upon the ninja before him as they prepared to depart.
"Yes Lord Kage, but what do we do once we've found our target?"
"Simple, by order of both myself and the Fifth of the Leaf Village you are to bring this fool back alive," with that stern order all but one left the room. Only a small girl no older than elven remained.
"Lord Kage if their mission is underway than what do you require of me? What must I do," said little girl saw her kage come to her and kneel before her.
"Your mission won't start until tomorrow little one, for your special gift for healing will help my guest greatly in the hospital. If my theory is right, she'll be the one to help you Ashi and hopefully the sins of both our clans will be forgiven. Also your teammates will be undergoing special training starting tomorrow." Sasuke then dismissed little Ashi and then retired to his room hoping that this plan that the fifth proposed would not be their downfall.
"Tsunade for your sake and my sanity I hope this half-baked plan of yours works," Sasuke then shut off his light and retired to bed for come morning life would be turning for the better for both the Sasuke and Sakura.
*To Be Continued*