Chapter Seven: Her Selflessness
"The Akatsuki?" Sakuya frowned suspiciously at a couple in the black cloaks with red clouds. She was picking herbs afar from Orochimaru's hideout when the two found her. One of them had piercings all over his face—Sakuya had lost count of their quantities, and the other woman put on a ridiculously large paper flower on her head. What a distinctive duo, she thought to herself.
"The Akatsuki can be a shelter that will protect a missing-nin like you, Senju Sakuya." The blue-haired woman assured.
"Protect me from what exactly?"
She was capable of keeping herself from harm. That's what she believed. Otherwise, anybody should be warned not to cross path with her for the worst-case scenario. Be that as it may, it wasn't unfortunate for the two Akatsuki members to confront her at the outset. Sakuya might not know their identities as of now; seeing that she seldom opened the Bingo Book while it was still in her possession (before she was included in it, ironically). Still, she could sense a rather dangerous chakra being released from them, indicating that the best way to deal with them was to think before making any necessary movement.
"None other than Orochimaru." Answered the spiky-haired man.
Just when Orochimaru's name was mentioned, her pupils expanded, displaying hatred. She snorted, "Sad to say that he won't be able to lay a finger on me."
"Perhaps not now," he assumed. "But he will, sooner or later. A trusted spy informed us that it took time for transferring completely to a new body. What are you biding your time for? We are lending you a helping hand."
A trusted spy, they said. The only name that crossed Sakuya mind was Yakushi Kabuto's. Who would have thought a loyal subordinate like him could sell out Orochimaru? Come to think of it, he was even one age with her daughter, Erika and already had a remarkable working experience as a double agent. What an achievement! Yet, it wasn't the right time to speak highly of Kabuto behind his back. She began to wonder, how far had he informed against Orochimaru? How far was the Akatsuki pair aware of?
"What does Akatsuki want from me?" Breaking loose her crossed arms, Sakuya inquired. "How do you think that my contribution will be advantageous to your organization?"
"Aside from you, we are also calling up other S-rank missing-nins to join our organization. Our main objective is to dominate the world. For that reason, such level of force is only possible to be acquired from recruiting S-class criminals." Explained the Rinnegan user who had the air of being the Akatsuki's leader.
Sakuya would usually respect other people's opinions regarding their views on life, but now, she couldn't help but question further. Let's just say the Akatsuki has reached their goal to run the world. What will happen to this world next? Seemingly, the Akatsuki wouldn't turn the world for the better, owing to the fact that they exclusively recruited S-rank missing-nins. Why did the rank more matter than the same purpose they shared?
"An organization consisted of S-class criminals whose ambition is world dominance. Do you attempt at bringing the nonessential exclusivity to the fore? Because if it's really the case, I'll have to say that our aspirations are incompatible."
The blue-haired woman stepped forward and declared, ignoring her partner. "Why don't we have a single combat? If I win, you'll have to come with us."
"I'm afraid that will not be necessary," Sakuya smirked. "All you have to do is answer my question. Who knows I'll change my mind if your answer can persuade me."
"Very well," the relatively tall woman in her late 20's nodded. "I'll give you a persuasive and satisfying answer if you win this battle."
"Hold on, Konan," the leader opened his mouth. "Let me settle this. World dominance may be our ultimate objective. For all that, Akatsuki members are allowed to aim for their different, individual goals. As long as you give assistance to our organization to attain our main objective, we will facilitate you to achieve your ambition as well."
Currently, she did not have a certain ambition that she was dying to achieve. It was true that the time would finally come when Orochimaru would take over her body, but she had already entrusted Kiyoshi with burning her body to ashes. If truth be told, she no longer had other meaningful reasons to stay existing apart from making sure that Orochimaru wouldn't try to harm Konoha. Other than that, she seriously wouldn't make an effort to prolong her life.
But she couldn't stand Orochimaru for the remaining duration of her life.
"I'll ask you one more time," the woman named Konan glared at Sakuya. "Will you join our organization of your own accord or do you want me to make you join us?"
If Sakuya could choose to become selfish once in a while, this time would be her last.
"Am I left with any other options not to join you?"
Accordingly, her decision led her to another imprisonment.
Sakuya wasn't sure of how long she'd been locked up in Akatsuki's basement. The room had a humid air and was poorly lit. The only ray of light she could catch sight of was when Konan brought a tray of food to her cell. She just put the tray down behind the door without uttering a word and left empty-handed. No interaction exchanged afterward. Sometimes, when Sakuya lost her appetite, she purposely left the food untouched and the next day, the tray of food would disappear without a trace. Pain, the Akatsuki's leader who noticed Sakuya's strange behavior lately, decided to talk with her over that matter.
"Eat when we serve you food," he ordered. "We're not starving anyone to death."
"Sure, you're not starving us to death, you're only treating us like prisoners," scoffed Sakuya. "Where are the other members? Don't tell me they're all no more since you do not know how to treat them like one."
"For your information, we're still recruiting. That is why I can't assign you to a real mission yet. Worries aside, Akatsuki will be actively operating once we've gathered at least 10 S-rank criminals on our side." Pain announced.
"Do you need my help? When they refuse to join, all I have to do is challenge them for a match, no? Anybody will be able to do that."
"I appreciate your offer but I have to turn that down. However, if you have someone who meets the criteria in mind, just let me or Konan know."
"Since when my opinion is relevant? You won't even allow me to leave this sick place!" Sakuya's voice echoed along the corridor as Pain left her behind with no turning back.
If she seriously wanted, she could sneak away without a hitch. To her advantage, the room she resided in was furnished and decorated from materials made of wood. She could easily bend, let's say the table and make a hole in it. Having said that, whenever she was close to venturing into it, she thought twice about her potential action and used delaying tactics over and over again. A guilty conscience had gained full control of her, fear of regrets following. If she were to make her getaway, where would she go? Returning to Orochimaru? As if he would welcome her with open arms when he saw her again. If that vile snake were to locate her first, she was certain somehow that he would handle her worse than how the Akatsuki gave treatment to her now.
With each passing day, she came to realize that she had nowhere to go.
"What's the menu for today, Konan?" Sakuya casually greeted her unusual visitor when she caught someone making noise outside her room. It could not be Konan since the only words exchanged between them were to make sure whether Sakuya was still alive and kicking in her room. Every now and then, Sakuya had been speculating, which described her best, a prisoner to Akatsuki or some kind of tamed animal (since a pet was too good to be true by any means).
"Pain told us not to go downstairs."
"Pain is not around, you idiot! So you better shut your trap—"
"How may I help you?" Sakuya opened the door, coming face to face with a standing Venus flytrap plant wearing the Akatsuki cloak.
"Oh, shoot, she talks!" The white side of the plant exclaimed in surprise.
"What can we do to silence her? She might tell on Pain that we come downstairs to check her out." The other half of the plant, the black one to be precise, said in response.
"Who are you guys? No—what are you?"
"Sssh, don't raise your voice, will ya?" Begged the white side, "Kakuzu is taking a nap. If we wake him up, we're dead meat. No—you're dead!"
"And who the heck is Kakuzu?"
"What knowledge do you have of Akatsuki? Geez. You've been with us for quite some time and you seem not to know anything about our organization."
Sakuya curled her lip at the talking plant, "You're one to talk. How long have you guys become a member of this organization? You didn't even realize that your leader has been shutting me up in this basement until you disobeyed him not to go downstairs."
"You take issue with every new people we meet, Black Zetsu. And that's why I don't want you to tag along with me if we weren't in this state," Addressed his white counterpart. "Anyway, Kakuzu is the one who manages our funds. He is very stingy, so you better not spend a cent generously when he is watching."
Akatsuki has other members besides Pain, Konan, and I? "Is he one of us? Are you one of us?"
"Us?" Repeated Black Zetsu.
"Yes, Kakuzu, Black Zetsu, and I are parts of Akatsuki. There's also Sasori, but he rarely shows himself." White Zetsu stated further.
Gradually, Sakuya became closer to the truth she was afraid to find out. What if Pain had been hiding the truth from her?
"Why are you not detained? Pain said he was still recruiting members. For that reason, I'm not allowed to leave my room."
"Because Pain is only taking you hostage." Revealed Black Zetsu without mincing his words.
Yup, what she'd been scared of had become a reality.
"Um, don't you think we've gone overboard? Remember, we're not supposed to disclose everything—"
Sakuya cut off White Zetsu, stuttering. "T-taking me hostage? From whom exactly?"
"Orochimaru," Black Zetsu continued, "Long story short, the Akatsuki has done him a service, yet he can't pay us back. That being so, you'll be taken into custody until Orochimaru can make a full payment to us."
She kept insisting that she should take everything these strangers had been saying with a pinch of salt, but it all made sense. As if the last piece of the puzzle had been found and it knowingly fit in the gap to a T. What about the proof? Should she make the situation clearer than how it appeared? This Venus flytrap could walk around and go beyond Pain's restriction area while she was trapped in the basement.
On the bright side, she had made up her mind to escape from this place before Orochimaru could recompense his debt. If she were to look back on the past when Pain won over her to sign up with the Akatsuki and even claimed that Akatsuki's main objective was world dominance. World dominance? Pfft, more like world economic dominance now.
"You're not thinking about breaking out, are you?" Caught Black Zetsu by surprise.
"Now is not the right time," Added White Zetsu. "We too bear a grudge against Orochimaru. We won't let him have what he wants."
"You're going to give a sign to me when it's the right time to break out, is that what you're trying to—"
"Zetsu?" Konan's voice suddenly filled the cold air, announcing her arrival.
"If you'll excuse us." Was the last thing they said before merging with the ground, passing from sight. With the supposedly classified information they gave away, they had Sakuya contemplating—did they worth her trust?
Meanwhile, over the basement, Zetsu was not meeting with Konan. She didn't call for them in the beginning—it all acted in accordance with the scenario they had schemed. The clone of White Zetsu would mimic Konan's voice in order to make them a way to dodge Sakuya's possible questions after they had successfully aroused her curiosity.
"Is Orochimaru that poverty-stricken to the point he is not able to pay us back?" Asked White Zetsu when they were the only two left.
"Of course I made that up," commented Black Zetsu. "None of them is factual. But I heard the real reason why Pain brought her in is to lure Orochimaru in."
"I don't get it."
"Pain has set an eye on Orochimaru to begin with, not her."
Without knowing, Sakuya had been fed with false information with every visit Zetsu paid to her.
"On that night, you should've slaughtered them all."
Black Zetsu's words of wisdom drew Sakuya's full attention, "Who?"
"The Senju Clan," added White Zetsu.
"Who cares about that pathetic clan? They're individuals who are full of themselves, bounded by the same surname."
She lied. Deep down, I still do.
"I heard they were plotting a revolution against the Leaf," told Black Zetsu in all seriousness. "They even joined forces with Kiri."
Before Sakuya could bring herself to massacre the Senju councils, including the head of the clan, her father, she had to eliminate the humanity inside her first. Her soul case could still be in the land of the living, but the soul itself was truthfully among the dead. She tried to kill her emotion first so that her tears wouldn't blend with the blood of her kin. Even so, the pain took its time longer than it should and haunted her up to this time.
If it had not been for the sake of the village, she wouldn't have committed that.
"Have you been spying on the Senju? You're not trying to get yourself killed one of these days, are you?"
"Most certainly not, Kiri placed an order for Akatsuki to collect as much information and report to them." White Zetsu went on to say.
The Senju was being serious this time. If another planned revolution broke out, especially when they had invited the other party to conspire with them. This plan could end up as the Fourth Shinobi World War if the worst came to worst. Konoha could look past the threat if it came from any small villages but one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries? Sakuya couldn't anticipate it by remaining still.
Even so, she could not waltz into the village that had exiled her and notify them in advance either. She should consider which action to take seriously.
"If you were to enter the fray, which side will you take?" Asked White Zetsu out of the blue.
Konoha, for sure. "Neither both," lied Sakuya. "Why would I take sides?"
It was only a matter of time for Sakuya to vanish into thin air.
A few days had gone by, it was no longer twilight; the village hidden in the rain was swallowed by the blackness that nobody could even get a glimpse of a hand in front of a face, let alone their sodden feet on the rutted path. The rainfall had gone on for the whole day. Many believed that the God was watching over them through the heavy rain, therefore they were encouraged to watch their tongues in return.
Just when Orochimaru set foot in Amegakure, of course, the God, alias Pain was able to detect his disturbing presence.
"Senju Sakuya has been giving you and Akatsuki a hard time, hasn't she? Attempting at abducting the Fourth Mizukage who is also a jinchūriki of the Sanbī. That being so, I got here to pick her up." Began Orochimaru outspokenly.
"Poor Sakuya, even her master is inclined to think it was really her." Chuckled White Zetsu who was eavesdropping on the conversation Pain held with his guest.
"In actual fact, it wasn't her doing," argued Pain. "One of our members didn't succeed in carrying out the operation. His uncommon ability is transformation technique that will allow him to alter not only his form but chakra signature as well. With those in mind, Sakuya was unluckily put to blame."
"Oh, how profitable Akatsuki is to have consisted of such competent members. At present, Akatsuki has that Senju Sakuya, Akasuna no Sasori, the immortal Kakuzu, and not to mention, the owner to the Rinnegan," Orochimaru glanced at Pain's ripple eyes. "On the other hand, are you of the opinion that Akatsuki is still lacking in the workforce?"
"What are you implying at?" Inquired Pain to make certain.
"I'm offering my contribution to your organization. How about it?"
"It's official, Orochimaru has become one of us. Pain's gotten what he wants." Whispered White Zetsu.
"Quiet! They might hear you!" Nudged Black Zetsu.
"Sure," Pain stretched out his hand, gesturing for a handshake. "Welcome to the Akatsuki."
Orochimaru gladly shook hands with his new leader, "Before that, can I see Sakuya? She's also a member of this organization, is that true?"
Black Zetsu suppressed his laugh, "I can't wait to see their reaction when they find out the cell is empty."
"You might have been aware of why I summoned you today, Kiyoshi." Began the Sandaime as he welcomed the ANBU commander to his office.
Kiyoshi swallowed his saliva, "If it's regarding Sakuya's recent crime, yes, I've been fully aware of it."
"Kiri has sent us a letter of permission to put Sakuya to death," the announcement caught the Hyūga ANBU in a brief heart attack. "What are you going to do with it?"
For a split second, Kiyoshi paused. "Do I have a say in this, Hokage-sama?" He pointed out, "As the ANBU commander, I will give all my subordinates orders to hunt her down, taking charge of it directly if needed."
The Third sighed heavily, "Alternatively, I'll dispatch Danzō's troop to cover—"
"No, please, Sandaime," Kiyoshi inclined his head downward. "There are a few loose ends that I still have to tie up."
"I understand," Hiruzen squeezed the younger man's shoulder firmly, "In consideration of the foregoing, I assign this mission to capture Senju Sakuya to you."
It was a rather fine day in the Hidden Leaf village. The weeklong storm had cleared up every sidewalk and the trace of freshness still lingered in the air despite the fumes. The vibrancy of this village had bounced back in the twinkling of an eye as the clouds scattered. Unexpectedly, Erika agreed with Hanabi's invitation to play ninja at the park without reluctance. The summer breeze had worked its magic toward Erika; surprisingly, she was in the good mood today.
Erika and Itachi's relationship had been improving drastically these past weeks. Erika began to tolerate Itachi's being there and sometimes insisted on him climbing down the tree so that the three of them could play ninja together. Nevertheless, Itachi refused the offer repeatedly, which caused Erika to conclude he felt embarrassed for having to play ninja when he was already a member of Konoha's ANBU.
Although his daily task was to watch over the commander's daughter, he was still mindful of the search for Senju Sakuya. This very day, he learned that they had discovered Sakuya's whereabouts and his presence was requested for the flanking maneuver. Since Sakuya was blessed with regeneration ability, which allowed her injuries to heal faster, the suitable battle tactic for facing up to her prowess was the flanking maneuver.
Despite that, Itachi didn't have the heart to tell Erika what would occur before long.
"Oh, you finally came out," greeted Erika as she spotted Itachi explicitly. "Have you made your decision to join us today?"
"No, Erika-san, I—"
"Go back to your hiding place then."
"I have to go." Itachi interrupted.
"Err, okay?" Erika raised her eyebrows confusingly, "Your presence is hardly noticeable. I mean, it won't make any difference, will it?"
Briefly, Itachi stared blankly at her. In the last couple of weeks, Erika had cut down her constant complaint of not being able to meet her mother. Regardless of that, Itachi could identify that the prolonged duration of waiting for the uncertainty wouldn't make her forget nor worry less. He truly felt sorry for her because he would be encountering her mother in the near future and still could not imagine the nightmare on her behalf.
"Take care."
"You stole my line, Uchiha!" She glared at him jokingly, turning his body around and holding on to his shoulders a little while longer. "Come back in one piece."
An army of Hunter-nin from Kirigakure had surrounded Sakuya by the edge of the cliff. They threw every weapon they had at her simultaneously without mercy. At first, she was in a position to defend herself by creating a giant wall made of wood, but her limited amount of chakra restrained her from it, leaving her with no option but to dodge with her agility only.
"Surrender before the reinforcement from Konoha gets here and disposes of you." One of the Kirigakure's ANBU commanded.
Sakuya gasped for breath, "Why are you suddenly taking interest in assassinating me? What kind of reward they offered to you? Where have you guys been after all this time?"
"I'm sick of women playing dumb. How dare you make light of trying to kidnap our Mizukage?"
The rude awakening took her by surprise. Why would they accuse her of the crime she didn't commit? She was locked up in a basement for who knows how long and the only one who kept her updated with the outside world was none other than a giant, talking Venus flytrap. How could she fail to notice that somebody had been unknowingly making use of her identity to be responsible for the act of kidnapping?
Zetsu was at fault. She was confidently positive to point the finger at him, seeing that she was quite familiar with his unique capability of transforming into another individual. It had to be him.
"I need to talk to the Mizukage—"
"You tried to kidnap him once, Senju Sakuya. Do you think we would give you permission to come into contact with him after what you have done?"
"Taichō! The reinforcement from Konoha is arriving."
"Finish her off."
Before Sakuya knew it, she shut her eyes tight. The pain that once burned like a fire had been converted into an icy numbness. Darkness filled the edge of her vision and the only subdued noise she could hear was her own heartbeat. Her breath came in ragged, shallow gasps. Her regeneration ability should have sped up the pace of her physical recovery, but the defensive wall she created before had drained all her chakra to almost empty.
A couple of seconds had ticked by after she dropped down the ground; a recognizable voice rang in her ear.
"Stop! Hold your weapon! This is an order!"
Kiyoshi and the reinforcement that was originally reserved for ending her life came to the rescue. How ironic. If she still had enough strength to laugh, she would.
Her dried lips curved into a painful smile, "Ki-kiyoshi? Is that you?"
"Save your breath for later. You're bleeding severely," turning his head aside, Kiyoshi shouted in panic. "Medic! My wife is dying!"
Sakuya forced her blurry vision to follow Kiyoshi's movement, "Kiyoshi…" she spoke in an undertone.
"Medic! Can't you see someone is dying? In spite of the crime she committed, she's still one of us. She's still a member of Konohagakure!"
"Calm down, Sir! We're calling for the Medic Corps."
"We don't have much time!" Screamed Kiyoshi before turning to his dying wife. "Hang in there, Sakuya. I'm bringing you to the nearest hospital in Konoha."
"It's okay, Kiyoshi… I'm – I—"
"Back then, I wasn't able to fight along with you. You surpassed me in everything. As a husband, I admit I'm ashamed of not being able to hold a candle to you. Just for this time, I ask you, Senju Sakuya to fight along with me. You won't battle this alone this time. All you have to do is hang on and fight for yourself, we'll win this battle for sure."
"Thank you… for… keeping me… alive."
"Sssh, we're getting there! Don't die on me, Sakuya. That's an order."
Her husband carried her in his embrace. Blankly, she stared at Kiyoshi's neck, recognizing how lucky she was to have the opportunity to breathe her last in his arms. She made another promise. No, she accepted an order not to lose her life. Even though she wasn't sure herself, would her body was capable of carrying it out?
As they arrived, they were faced with rejection from the local hospital. Of course, who would wish to save the life of someone who had murdered her own flesh and blood?
"I beg of you, Doctor. Please save my wife. She has lost so much blood and drained all her chakra to heal herself!"
The addressed doctor looked briefly at the poor man and then walked away, "I'm sorry, I'm busy right now."
Are you happy now? After what you have done to prevent the coup from ensuing, this is how they treat you.
Kiyoshi fell to his knees, "Help her. Anybody!"
In the end, they only see you as another heartless criminal. They do not know the Senju were to blame, that's when they started blaming you.
They do not know what actually happened behind all this.
At the moment Itachi witnessed the commander pathetically cry for help, he took the initiative to slip away from the crowd and return to Konoha in advance. If his memory served him correctly, they didn't bring any medical-nin along to the appointed meeting place where they would surround Senju Sakuya. Therefore, the uproar in the woods Kiyoshi caused was of no use. On his way back, he managed to convince himself that it was best to let Erika know about this situation, even though he was clued in on the consequence he had to face later on.
Erika's face was brightened up when she saw Itachi, "You're back!"
"Come with me, Erika-san." Itachi removed his mask, revealing his humorless expression.
"Why all of a sudden?"
Itachi wrapped his hand around her wrist, "I have no time for going into details. Let's go."
She broke off from his tight grip, "What is it?"
"Trust me, Erika-san," he gazed into her hazel eyes convincingly. "You'll regret it if you do not come on the scene."
Erika didn't question why Itachi guided her to the hospital. People had already gathered outside the hospital, watching the commotion a certain patient was possibly making through the window. She tiptoed to figure out what was taking place in there until she heard Itachi call at the top of his voice.
"Move away, please!"
Without hurrying, the sea of people moved aside and made a space for Erika to spot the person she had been longing to see, lying down on the floor.
"Okaa-san!" She rushed to her mother who was drenched with her almost dried blood.
Erika knelt down beside her mother's weak body, "What happened to her? Answer me, Otou-san!"
Her father looked deeply into his daughter's eyes, full of hope. "Tell me, Erika. Tell me honestly. Will your mother make it?"
She activated her Byakugan, only to find out Sakuya's vital organs had been gravely wounded. There was still a slim chance that she could fix them. No matter how slim it was, no matter how pessimistic she believed she was, she would not give up on her mother's life.
Because she brought me into this world. To this life.
Gently, Erika placed her palms on Sakuya's chest, giving strength to her weakly beating heart.
"That's e-enough," mumbled Sakuya. "Erika…"
"Don't speak, Okaa-san."
"Your mother has something important to say to you, Erika…" Kiyoshi looked away, concealing his tears.
Tears began to make her vision vague. From her father who was putting on a false, strong front, she shifted her gaze toward her dying mother, guessing her last words.
"I'm… sorry for not becoming the mother you can be proud of, for standing you up recently, for giving you trauma and all."
"And most importantly… for prioritizing the village over you. I didn't set expectations for you to join the ANBU like your father and I. You can dream of becoming anything you want in the future, but one thing you should keep in mind is to love this village, come what may."
"Because every precious person I'm willing to protect with all my might belongs to this village. You, your father, Hokage-sama, and the other villagers as well. I want you to think the world of your hometown in the same way I see the beauty in it."
"Thank you, Erika for being my daughter, for accepting your sinful mother. Despite everything, promise me not to turn your back on our home."
Soon after, Senju Sakuya laid down her life.
long ass author's note: hello i'm back! i have the feeling y'all have already forgotten that this story exists and is still on-going! ok, lemme help you remember the previous chapter. hm, where do we start? sakuya asked kiyoshi to cremate her body if she were to meet her end one of these days. idk if i killed her too soon or not, but killing her is necessary for the progress of this story and erika's character development (which will be revealed on the next chapter!). seriously, i do not kill for fun.
there might be many confusing parts here and there. so i'll elaborate it here. to put it in a nutshell, sakuya was brainwashed. like black zetsu claimed, everything he told was untrue. the senju wouldn't go for another coup this time. a mass killing of their councils should have traumatized them by now. oh, and kiri wouldn't declare war to konoha either. but it's true that zetsu had been falsifying sakuya's identity and tried to abduct the mizukage. since that little kage possessed that sanbi and we all know akatsuki's crazy for bijuu hoho. but why would zetsu do such a thing? his ulterior motive was to make sure the timing was right so that sakuya would run away at the right time. and yes, pain originally wanted orochimaru to join the akatsuki, he only used sakuya as a bait for oro to show himself without him approaching first.
but i think there are still many things lacking in this chapter. this chapter is supposed to be heartbreaking, but when i reread it before posting, i was kinda disappointed with how it turned out but i really can't wait to skip this part because i'm dying to write about itachi! so yeah, if u notice, i changed the genre to angst hahaha here we start!
