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Tsukihiko stood proudly with crossed arms his ground. His lone eye on the two of them. Now, he was about as tall as a stone building, if not bigger. This particular feat came in handy whenever he needed to get attention. Of course, it was practically impossible to miss a rabbit taller than a grown tree.
He heard that Hashirama stutter and focused on the task at hand. "You have interrupted my tutoring."
The white haired one was quick to redeem his expression, "On what exactly, the secretive way of torture?" Tobirama replied dryly.
Tsukihiko growled. "Do not tempt me, " With a malicious edge he spat out " – human."
Hashirama felt the thick growing of tension and decided to step in. He lifted his arms in a gesture of peace and smiled – if not slightly forced – at the colossus. "I need to apologize for my little brother, err, Mister Rabbit-san. We didn't – " Before he could even start any kind of damage-control Hashirama had to evade the hit of a very big and equally sharp blade. A roar descended through their surroundings.
"Who did you call a rabbit, you meek human!" Another hit, this one barely avoided.
"I'm – I'm sorry. Please forgive me o' mighty summon!"
The assault has instantly stopped.
After moments of silence the grumpy hopper spoke up "Fine. State your concerns."
Tobirama did not falter. "Whose summon are you and what are you teaching our novitiate?" His icy eyes were set on the mammal.
The rabbit gifted Tobirama a glare of his own. Despite his open hostility towards answering nonessential questions he opted for a quick end, therefore he replied . "I am a summon bound to Sakura. I was given the task of assisting with her studies." Well dodged.
Tobirama folded his arms. "By the risk of believing you, should you not already be in your own dimension, seeing as your current summoner is out cold and physically depleted?"
Tsukihiko nodded reassuringly at both men, "You are right." then puffed away.
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"He did not just do that." Tobirama could do nothing but stare at the, now, empty space. He could all but imagine the accomplished smirk Tsukihiko would bear just about right now.
"He's rather odd, I think." Added as an afterthought a rather amused Hashirama. Tobirama turned his head slightly towards his brother but stayed silent with a telltale stare. The subtext was loud and clear.
The older Senjuu put Sakura on his shoulder then glanced innocently at the still pointedly staring Tobirama. "You coming?"
The younger sibling sighed, deciding to not think about obnoxious brothers with a sense of humor that was rather questionable.
Wind flew gently through her hair, slowly awakening her senses. Limbs, tired from several hours of physically exhausting work were seemingly unaffected by gravity.
Floating. Sakura was floating, or at least it felt so. After a few minutes of listening to the gentle shush of the wind her jade eyes cracked slowly open. She froze.
"Oh, dear Kami-sama!" She cried out, because, how was one supposed to act after waking up in mid-air. Suddenly the slight pressure on her stomach was rendered and she fell; gravity once again activated.
She yelled, loud and high while her body piloted through various trees, sticks, leaves and finally bushes. Earth greeted her face joyfully.
The Shinobi groaned. Great, she was not only strength-depleted but had some serious bruises. Medicinal senses kicked in, she surveyed the injuries in her mental eye. Because it just hurt that much to move she remained face-first on the ground, bleeding and hurting all over.
Two sudden wind thrusts made her acknowledge the two figures standing above her.
One crouched down to her level and hitched. Sakura felt the gentle hum of Hashirama's chakra. "Go on, laugh at me." She could feel his tensed muscles, restraining his urge to burst out in joyful tears.
Seriously, what professional Shinobi didn't recognize the feeling of being carried? That made Sakura ponder about her own prowess, she wished to sigh but it would take too much strength.
The mighty Tobirama spoke first, "Did you just fall down?" way to state the obvious.
Sakura had not the strength to glare at him, but a sarcastic remark was still manageable. "Noooo, the ground just came up and smacked me in my face..!" She ignored the knowledge of such a very possible outcome, new powers and all. Hashirama finally gave in and laughed.
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Sakura was yet again on her training spot, tutor included. Tsukihiko has granted her a twenty minute break after half a day of slaying water. It would be logical to think she was drenched to the bone but thanks to her abilities Sakura plainly shook any liquid off her person.
Luckily, Hashirama decided to let her be. The pinkette had the vague notion Tsukihiko made some kind of unshakable impression on him these few days ago. She did not mind one bit, the Senjus have given her space. Sakura would not go and question intentions.
"Hey!" Roams of water face-palmed Sakura. The power behind the blow made her fly into a tree, shredding it into pieces.
"What was that for!" She yelled, crawling back onto feet. Her body was flooded with scratches, punctuations and such. Her skin was a rainbow of colours; starting with sick yellow ending on damn near brown. That senseless rabbit forbid her to heal. For practice, he said. So you learn to be conscious of your energy flow, he said. But for Sakura the fact remained stone still; he was an idiot. Nothing more nothing less.
"I do not like being ignored. Especially – " With one swift jump he stood in front of her, glare in place. "when I decide to share my wisdom."
Really, that just asked to be laughed at. Yet Sakura was aware Tsukihiko would just go and sulk for a week for whatever comment she had in mind which meant training deprivation. As much as she wanted to, Sakura couldn't make fun of him therefore she bit her inner cheek hard, drawing a little blood by coincidence.
Metallic taste, feel of fluid, her own life liquid; Sakura shivered. "What about blood?" She asked absorbed in thoughts and possibilities. Tsukihiko only narrowed his eye in a silent command to continue.
"I mean…You said all fluids can be controlled." Despite the fur, Sakura saw him pale. Then he shook his head, frantic.
"No, no. You cannot." With a sure tone he added. "Blood shall never be controlled. That is a barbaric thought, you moron!" Sakura backed up, she never saw the mammal fidget or be overthrown by nervousness, let alone get defensive. He just did.
Deliberately, she let the subject roll away.
"Back to training, no slacking in my presence!" There, he was back on track. The female sighed, readying herself for the next fight. Sakura favoured the term battle-to-death. That summon was just horribly serious.
After four hours of exchanging blows their battle finally grew to the climax.
Her left leg took a step back making her body go with it, right arm extended forwards with her palm straight like a piece of wood she hit the incoming rush of water hand-on.
"Good. Now do better!" Hand-seals created Tsukihiko sent yet another wave of ton-worth water shaped in two parallel to each other shuriken. Sakura crouched slightly waiting for the exact moment to, 'Now!' her body bent back, then again forward, she threw herself full-force into the air flipping horizontally throughout the huge weapons.
She landed surely on her feet having evaded successfully. Already she whipped her palms around themselves calling forth the blue force. A dragon-long water whip flew towards the mammal, the force hit and soaked him fully.
"You have.. improved." The voice sounded annoyed; he did not like being soaked to the bone; not one bit. It did not sit well with his fur.
Still, he had to admit that kid's passed his water bending crash course, passable to that. The remaining knowledge Sakura would learn; with time, further practice and experience. It was time to open the next subject.
Earth.
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Her eyes flew wide open.
Sakura ripped her bedding violently away leaving abruptly the warm futon, she walked on shaky legs with disoriented emerald looking frantically around and releasing oxygen in short patterns.
Despite her evident shaken to the bone form the coated with a cloak of sweat female carried on. Sakura had only one priority; to write.
It might sound crazy if said out aloud but she just heard the steady, clear voice of Kaguya-hime. It definitely was not a dream, she woke with the urge to remember two words and a particle 'Tsuki no Miyako'.
'The Capital of the Moon', Sakura assumed it to be a specific location, which she very much wished to see on paper. In her frantic search for writing essentials she ended up splayed on the floor having apparently overseen her own clothes. It did not matter, she stood up without space for any distracting thoughts. The loud sound however, resulted in a very much alert Tobirama. Half-asleep but alert none the less.
"What are you doing, performing a ritual of sorts?" His feet begrudgingly made contact with the tent's floor.
Aside from the urge to write down the sure location Sakura did not care for anything but, not even his fine morning voice or more night it was only three o clock if the moon showed correctly.
Sakura finally found a brush but there was no scroll nor ink in sight. She had to improvise, making quick work of locating the table in their dark driven tent Sakura cleared the furniture of anything it might have on top, then tasted her way to a safe spot.
Tobirama was already behind her and tried to figure out what the hell was wrong with his tent-mate. His eyes had already adjusted to the darkness, that is why the red droplets of blood were very much visible to him.
"Sakura, what are you doing!" He moved to yank the sharp end of the brush away from her hurt skin, distressed from the scene. Her body though was an invincible fortress, every try of his would end with an elbow in his face, stomach, groin even back.
After finally drawing enough blood to use as a replacement for ink she stained the brush with it and wrote 'Tsuki no Miyako' in bloody letters. She turned around. "Don't remove it, I need to remember when I wake up." Tobirama stared but nodded in the end, resigned, slightly sick from the sight of her blood stained arm and the equally red table.
Sakura walked back to her futon and before she knew it her arm healed on itself and she was back in dreamland.
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Tobirama had to admit he did not sleep well after Sakura's haunted actions. He had rings under his eyes and was in a exquisitely foul mood. "You want me to locate a place?"
The pink head bobbed energetically "That sums it up, yes."
"Why?" He would not help head-over-heels hastily, common sense taught him to question people.
Sakura looked at him with clear determination. "Because I'm asking you to."
It was pretty clear she tried to avoid any explanations. However, as much as it was wrong to agree, Tobirama sensed his chance to pry around. Refusal would definitely only strengthen the pinkette, she would search elsewhere for help. It would not be beneficial, to let somebody else see what he could. And the Senjuu was sure there would be much to witness.
"Under one condition." Sakura seemed suspicious, he answered before she had the chance to state her concerns. "I will go with you."
First, her facial features demonstrated her surprise, then she seemed to contemplate his demand. Lastly, Sakura came to a decision. "Fine." Her voice was coated displeasure, however, desperate times called for desperate methods.
They flew throughout the trees, not even their shadows managed to manifest themselves, faces concentrated. Tobirama lead the way, Sakura followed. Despite her talkative nature she remained stock quiet, occupied by her roaming thoughts. She was pondering about their destination.
When Tobirama, who had men around everywhere and could literally spot anything, revealed the location where she was to meet Kaguya-Hime , Sakura was starting to doubt her own senses.
They headed towards an active volcano. The place she was meant to be was on top of an aching piece of Earth. Nevertheless, she needed to know so they left on the first sun.
"About three more miles." Counted Tobirama, the meek distance made Sakura feel uneasy. What will happen? What awaits her? Will Kaguya-Hime truly show up? She gulped, if not a little too loudly.
The distance slowly crept more close, finish line visible, their feet touched the sure ground.
Sakura took in the scenery. There were paths of stoned lava visible, if one concentrated enough it was possible to feel how the bravado of the awake volcano vibrated humbly underneath. On top of that Earth pimple stood a red building, no, shrine. It emitted lights of the ruby-red stone, from which it was build.
'Come.' Sakura swallowed her shriek, again a voice in her head made itself known; a noble chuckle. The pinkette slowly wrapped her mind around the situation. Surely, it's not Kaguya-Hi –
'It is.' That was proof enough. Sakura sighed.
"What is the matter?" Ah, she completely forgot about Tobirama.
"I need to be in that building on top."
"You do realize the volcano could erupt soon, do you not?" He commented matter of factly.
"I'm aware." She replied, walking ahead. Sakura heard the light footsteps of the white haired man behind her. She was aware of the fact that Tobirama merely joined her because he wished to inquire more about the unknown variable; her.
They walked slowly, unsure of the boiling mountain. Their feet stopped in front of a wooden bridge which bound the mansion to the land. Glaringly red surrounded the tiny isle in middle of the volcano. It was a wonder the building survived, Sakura had a feeling it was the Hime's doing.
Tobirama grabbed her arm the moment she stepped on the overpass. "You surely do not plan that." Of course, he meant her getting on these half-way-through broken pieces of wood.
"Don't worry, I'm protected." Sakura felt the immense spirit of Kaguya, if she would fall… In truth the pinkette wasn't so sure about what would happen then. Sakura just felt it was right to cross that link between soils.
Tobirama stared for a moment, contemplating his options. "Wait." Without waiting for a assurance, the Senjuu thrust a kunai accurately inside the ground surrounding the mansion, manhandled her and teleported both of them to the other side.
Sakura felt like throwing up.
"You might feel uneasy." He said, amused.
Sakura sent him a dirty look "You don't say." She decided to let it be. Straightening slowly, as to not rush her twirling stomach, the woman climbed the first steps of the house. Her fairy hand was reaching to swish the decorated bamboo door open, she was in some kind of trance. Very relaxed, as if engraved in a gentle hug.
"Sakura!" The stressed voice made her eyes widen. She snapped out of it and turned around only to see Tobirama…
playing with air.
"What's wrong?" She asked, puzzled.
Glaring, "You set up an barrier." he accused.
What? Sakura's brows furrowed. "Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not Mito-san. I can't use Fuuinjutsu."
At that Tobirama narrowed his eyes. "I am not aware of any abilities you may or may not have. You are very secretive."
Alright, Tobirama was seemingly dead set to start an argument, indirectly in front of the mother of Shinobi.
Sakura sighed. "I need to go inside Tobirama-san, there are things I have to do." The pinkette was one hundred percent sure of a presence, she felt it the moment her feet touched the stairs. Kaguya-hime has called out to her in her sleep. Sakura somehow wished the Princes would show herself to Tobirama because he will surely –
"Such as?"
..ask about it. With that said she was definitely in a pinch. Perhaps telling an inch of the truth would delay the matters with that stubborn man? Decisions, decisions.
The wind picked up, Sakura felt a gentle caress. She then realized everything around her was motionless. Frozen in time. Just like the time she first met the Princess.
"Fear not, my child." The gentle tingle of Kaguya-Hime's voice assured. "This mansion of mine is in-between dimensions, therefore under my control. The ones I do not grace with approval do not enter but stay put." Quite literally, Sakura thought. She walked forward. The Shoji doors swung open revealing a huge room with traditional interior. Inside, in the middle of the room floated the Princess.
She revealed a gentle smile, just a slight titling of her lip. "You came, Haruno Sakura."
Sakura realized how unused her name was, in the mouth of the seemingly goddess. It was either my or child together. Stopping a few feet away, Sakura eased her body stance. There was nothing to fear after all. Knowing Kaguya's awareness of her thoughts, Sakura remained quiet waiting for the initiator to raise the word.
"You have done well, with Indra's clan." Figuring the Hime's meant the Uchiha's and that that Indra person was probably the oldest descendant Sakura refrained from asking. She was smart enough to pry things together. "I am afraid, however, it was not enough to satiate their longing for superiority." Her noble eyebrows twitched in what appeared to be disdain for her own blood. "..There exists a certain artefact whose only purpose is to plant seeds of hatred, loath." Beautiful pupils searched Sakura's. "You must destroy it." Her voice grew urgent. "The Uchiha's stone monument."
What? But she has just helped create a tiny bit of peace, a place for where Hashirama's vision of her Konohagakure found place to grow. Now Sakura was to risk that; Konoha's future; her own future? No.
"I understand your struggle, child." The Hime straightened her palm horizontally. "However, if the lessons of history teach us anything it is that nobody learns the lessons that history teaches us." As usual, Sakura thought irritated, words freighted with levels of meaning.
"Ootsutsuki-dono," Sakura started. "I'm not sure the gravity of this task is understood, clear." She fidgeted, making the most powerful creature that has ever crossed the world angry was definitely not Sakura's intention. "I don't think I have the courage to change history so direct. There is so much to consider. The secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan, secrets of Uchiha Madara's body and also from what I've heard the stories of your own children, grandchildren. Techniques also.." Sakura's fists clenched. "I.. I'm scared to interfere on such a big scale." There. She said it. The Shinobi's only hope now was that Kaguya-Hime wouldn't blow her away; for her cowardliness.
To Sakura's immense horror the Princes laughed. Out loud, without restraints. Just like any other human did. To say she was baffled would be an understatement.
The fairy haired woman's amusement slowly ran to a stop. She cupped Sakura's cheek in her clawed, very dangerous hand. How many times did they have destroyed the enemy; treating them no different than degenerated ants, she has long ago forgotten. Countless.
"Sakura, my sweet child." Her voice loitered motherly above the pinkette. She dared not look up. "The Mangekyo Sharingan is a weapon able to control all tailed beasts. In fact, the Light of your generation suffered indirectly from it." Naruto's parents, Sakura remembered with a pang of pity and sadness. "The secrets of Madara's human shell, what good did it bring in the future?" She needed not answer that. "The Ootsutsuki's path will be led down and continued by you. It can be written anywhere appropriate." Sakura smiled at that. "As for the techniques. The facts were alternated, changed. By someone .. close to my heart." Pink brows furrowed. "No. The time for that has not come, yet." She, once again, read Sakura's mind.
"Look at me." Sakura did. Ootsutsuki's-dono's thumb caressed Sakura's cheek in soothing patterns. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."
In this case the future, Sakura thought. Kaguya nodded appreciatively. "Our time has come to an end, for now." The Hime increased the distance between them. "It is fortunate we were able to meet that quick. My strength increases each solstice for a certain amount of time, making it possible for me to appear in physical form." She answered the unstated questions.
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Were Ootsutsuki's-sama's parting words before she vanished in a white array of spectacular light.
Sakura stood there for a few more minutes, taking everything in. There was a nagging in her, something urging her to abandon the risky task for if it failed, so did the future. Instantly, the pinkette shook her head. No. She came here for a reason, chickening out of it was no option, nor did she want to. With that stealthy resolve in hand Sakura turned around sharply and walked purposely towards Tobirama. She noted with mild curiosity; time was still frozen. A shiver showered her spine. The Princess was unbelievably strong; even in her death whatever she has chosen to protect would stay that way; underneath her vail of safety.
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