Part II: Purpose of life?
In that trip, we created a purpose to life
This purpose that nourishes our existence
This purpose varying from person to person
This purpose being a perception of past affliction
For few, essence of life is all about loving
For few, life is all about struggling
For few, life is all about having fun
This purpose, existentialists called essence
But I feel I am a hollow being
And that I could never fill it with any essence
For I wonder if that is the real essence
Or are we just a random creation lacking purpose?
All about the enigmatic life: Part II by Annapoorna Atluri
"Ko-no-Hana gave you her sight?" Tsunade asked, confirming the source of Sakura's regained sense. "What did she ask for in return?" She pressed, leaning forward in her seat as she pushed the piles of paper out of her way. Naruto groaned in the background but both women ignored him as Sakura answered.
"I'm now her vessel." She said it slowly and deliberately, once again second guessing her choice. Crossing her legs for something to do, Sakura held eye contact with her sensei.
"Her vessel to do what, exactly? She must have given you terms." Tsunade spoke slowly with a searching look into the other woman's once blind eyes. Keenly, she took in the sight of Sakura worrying her lip and her unconsciously drawn together eyebrows. At her apprentice's hesitance, the Hokage rose slowly before sitting down again as she struggled to come to grips with the fact that she could do nothing: the deal had been struck and whatever was needed in return would have to be paid. She could shelter her apprentice no longer.
"Susanowa. I have to beat Susanowa's vessel. Orochimaru." Sakura broke eye contact when she realized the scope of her bargain. She must accomplish what two Sennin could not do.
It sounds so much harder when we say it aloud. Inner Sakura mused quietly from the depths of Sakura's mind. She could feel the fine threads of desperation and dissolution as they daintily seized her, ready to drag her down into the barren reality of her rash action. Just as she was about to worry her lip into having an open wound Naruto's hand grasped her shoulder and to her imaginings bore her away. Taking a deep breath, Sakura glanced at the fox feeling comforted by his unwavering warmth and steady gaze.
Turning back to her mentor Sakura spoke, "I can do this; she wouldn't have picked me if she didn't think I would win." The truth behind the statement had the desired effect on both the fox and the hippo. Tsunade's hippo ears resumed their erect position and Naruto's whiskers stopped their twitching. Sakura wasn't sure who was more calmed, the two of them or herself.
Letting out a large sigh, Tsunade seemed to come to grips with the unexpected turn of events. Sifting through her pile of papers, she selected various ones from the stack. Naruto and Sakura watched in bewilderment as the Hokage displaced papers with no reason they could decipher. Crowing her success, Tsunade began to leaf through a manila folder. Exchanging questioning glances Naruto and Sakura waited for the woman to clue them in on the reason of her apparent happiness.
"I'm now putting you on the Orochimaru case. Here's all the information you'll need. Contact me in the next week to tell me what the hell you're planning." Speaking authoritatively, Tsunade ruined the air of professionalism by pulling out a ceramic jug and taking a swing of it's contents; which they both knew to be sake.
Standing, Sakura grabbed the folder and bowed to her mentor as Naruto did the same. Quietly they departed leaving the elderly woman to ponder over fate, gods' games, her role and those of the people she loved in the whole affair. Taking another gulp of the liquid, she decided that there was little to be done to improve their lot but she would do said little in hopes that it would be the grain that offset the scales in their favor. Nodding to herself to physically seal her thoughts and resolutions Tsunade started upon her paperwork.
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Body thrumming with adrenaline at the thought of what lay ahead, Sakura confined herself to Naruto's side. As she didn't want to explain why she could walk without aid, it was decided that she would keep up the façade of blindness to the public and let only her friends be privy to the information. The news would no doubt spread from there without her being in constant questioning.
Gently holding onto Naruto's arm as she clutched the folder in her right, she did her best to keep her eyes forward. It was so difficult, the early morning shoppers where just starting to crowd the streets and they brought with them a plethora of colors and animals. Feeling slightly giddy her ability to see she subtly tugged Naruto in the direction of a park bench not too far away.
"What is it Sakura-chan?" The blonde asked peering down at her, searching for any sign of distress.
"It's so beautiful, I want to watch." She hummed contently as she seated herself and took in the picturesque scene that unfolded before her. It was a milling, shifting animal that manifested itself in the colors that fluctuated as the people moved and interacted with each other. The diversity of animals was staggering to behold; gulls fluffed their plumage as they bargained with a ground hog for fish.
As Sakura watched the people, Naruto watched Sakura. Her eyes lit up as they flickered about the crowd and her lips were pulled in one of the biggest smiled he had seen grace her face. He had tried to see what she apparently saw but he couldn't. People. It was just people going about their everyday business; the fact that Sakura saw beauty in it caused him to strain his eyes. He saw people: people of the village that he loved and would give his life for but, they were still people.
Shaking his head to disperse the questions he spoke up, "I never knew you loved people watching so much Sakura-chan." Leaning back into the seat fully, he closed his eyes and allowed the rising sun to warm him.
"I wish you could see this… it's incredible." The woman said breathlessly as she too leaned back basking in the moment and the serenity it brought. It was not often a ninja got to enjoy things like this and Sakura was certain she wouldn't have another moment like this any time soon.
"Yo." Rolling her head towards her approaching sensei Sakura beheld a cougar. Blinking in surprise she was struck speechless.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto greeted, giving a small wave and didn't even bother with opening his eyes.
Mind awash with thoughts Sakura ventured, "Hey Kakashi-sensei, can you help me with something?" Smiling widely at him she waited for him to get his nose out of his Ichi Ichi and answer her.
Tawny eyes flickered towards her and Sakura added a "Please?" for good measure.
"Help with what?" He queried sounding bored. He was a shrewd man, Sakura would give him that.
"Just come with us." She offered hoping to pique his curiosity. He nodded his head in consent and she leapt up dragging a once peaceful Naruto with her towards home.
I have a beta, let me now do my happy dance. This is the first beta'd chapter so all those annoying spelling and grammar issues are out the door! Isn't life grand? My eternal gratitude thereby goes to Misaotheokashira.
About the chapter, somewhat plain and somewhat short but I'm laying down some things that will be built upon. For anyone who doesn't think Kakashi is most like a cougar or for those of you who agree and just want to see my strange thought process go to wikipedia and then search cougar, all shall be made clear. Thanks for reading! –Cloey Marie-