Chapter 8 – Interlude
Sakura scrutinized herself in her mother's full length mirror to make sure that her hair wasn't being stifled by her headband before smoothing out her clothes one last time. She thought about getting her pack but decided that it wasn't necessary to lug excessive tools around in the middle of Konoha.
"When will you be back dear?" Sakura's mother asked from the other room as Sakura made her way toward the front door.
"I don't know Mom," Sakura replied lightly. "I'm going to go shopping with Naruto-kun."
"I won't make you anything for lunch then," echoed back as Sakura slipped through the door. She still enjoyed staying with her mother and due to her travel heavy life she had never bothered with the unnecessary expense of getting her own apartment.
Sakura walked down the streets of Konoha, which was still in the midst of its early morning wake up. Traveling merchants were starting to filter into the streets and the shops that were not already opening were preparing to. Many of the single operators were sweeping their steps or putting out street displays in an effort to entice shoppers inside.
"Sakura-sama," someone said in friendly greeting. Sakura smiled prettily and waved to those who took time to say hello. She was always slightly embarrassed by the level of reverence that some of the civilians paid to her just for walking by.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto's voice called out. She turned around and waited for her energetic blonde to catch up to her. "You look happy today."
"Of course," Sakura said. "I'm on vacation with you and I can't think of anything more perfect right now."
Naruto looked at her for a moment and then practically beamed with one of his widest smiles, which was saying a lot considering how many times she'd seem him smile.
"So where do you want to go?" Naruto asked. They had begun walking slowly toward the center of the village where many of the nicer stores were located.
"I'm feeling a little nostalgic today," Sakura said. She pointed up to a sign that read "Grass of the Field."
"I don't remember ever going in here," Naruto said idly as they went inside.
"You're kidding?" Sakura replied. "I used to love this place when I was little, but they've got some things for adults too."
"Do they have clothing rated for ninja use?" Naruto asked.
"No, baka," Sakura said. Well, they might have one item that she was thinking of in particular that could be suited to ninja utilization. "However, they do have the best selection from Fire, Wave, and Grass country."
"Ah, I see," Naruto said. He casually felt of the soft fabrics on a pair of rather loud looking pants.
"Where on earth did you get your clothes from if you didn't come here?" Sakura asked again, preoccupied with a selection of belts.
"Well, I got a clothing allowance for a while," Naruto said uncomfortably. "But that stuff was always dropped off. Then by the time I entered the academy I started wearing ninja rated clothes pretty much exclusively…"
"Right," Sakura said. She fumed at herself inwardly. Naruto had told her all these things before; why hadn't she been paying closer attention to what she was asking him. It wasn't like she was hanging out with Ino.
"I didn't mind," Naruto said, as if reading her thoughts.
"I can be careless sometimes," Sakura said softly. She reached out and took Naruto's hand into her own.
"I'm thankful for the past that built this present," Naruto replied with an equally soft tone. "You know that you can say anything to me Sakura-chan."
"Baka," Sakura muttered out of his earshot. She knew that, but she didn't want to say anything to ruin their good mood today. Unfortunately, the disruptions didn't seem to be over. As quickly as they had moved on to lighter subjects the owner of the store, an elderly woman named Miatio, glided in seemingly from no where to inquire about whether they were finding everything.
"Sakura-sama, Naruto-sama, you honor my humble shop," Miatio said.
"You do us too much credit Owner-san," Naruto replied.
"Please, Naruto-sama, call me Miatio," Miatio said. As she turned to Sakura her eyes flitted down briefly to take in the sight of the two young Sannin holding hands. "It is so good to see you again child. I had missed your visits."
"It's good to see you again as well Miatio-san," Sakura replied. The clothing was loosely organized by gender and so Sakura slowly drifted away from Naruto after giving him strict instructions to pick out some nice evening clothes for himself. She considered making his choices for him, considering the orange atrocity that he had worn when he was younger, but in the end determined that his selections should reflect his own personality rather than her taste.
"Sakura-sama," Miatio said. She had unexpectedly appeared next to Sakura, which was somewhat impressive even though Sakura had almost completely dropped her guard.
"Please, Miatio-san," Sakura said, smiling softly. "There's no need for the 'sama' between old friends is there?"
"Perhaps not, Sakura-chan," Miatio replied. Her face took on a rather reflective look as if the old woman were considering something distant. She seemed to realize Sakura was studying her. "I just got lost in the past for a minute. You remind me of someone."
"Eh, I know I've got a temper, but I'm really not that much like Tsunade-" Sakura said only to be cut off.
"I didn't mean Tsunade-sama," Miatio said. "Your mannerism; you increasingly remind me of the Third."
"The Third?" Sakura repeated, startled.
"Yes, somewhat," Miatio said. Her eyes flicked over to where Naruto was for a moment before focusing on Sakura again. "I've watched you for a long time now Sakura-san. But that is not the reason I wanted to talk to you."
"Really?" Sakura asked. She had not missed the quick movement of Miatio's gaze. "And what is that?"
"I…" Miatio said, looking down and to the side slightly. Her face appeared to take on a great weariness. "I wanted to ask you about…Naruto-sama."
"Um, what about him?" Sakura asked, blushing slightly. She saw us holding hands, Sakura thought, or maybe she's heard those rumors about Tsunade-sensei announcing her successor soon.
"He really isn't a demon, is he?" Miatio asked, her voice barely a whisper. Sakura felt a splash of cold water immerse her spine. Hadn't everyone figured it out that Naruto was the demon's jailer years ago? Wasn't he the village's hero now?
"I've known this for some time," Miatio admitted. "But I couldn't believe it even when everyone else did."
"Why couldn't you believe it?" Sakura asked, trying not to let any disbelief or bitterness seep into her voice. "After everything that Naruto has done for us all."
After everything he's done for me, was the unvoiced addition to her statement.
"When the Nine-Tails was sealed away by the Fourth we were told by those who knew the lore of the tailed beasts that no human shell could ever contain the power of the greatest demon," Miatio said. "We had no reason to doubt them, even later, even when he seemed like a little boy, the Nine-Tails was a deceiver; we had no reason to doubt…"
"Why are you telling me these things?" Sakura asked. It pained her to know how Naruto had been shunned in the past, but he had put it behind him and she wanted to as well.
"You are a Sannin," Miatio replied. "All of Konoha reveres those who have achieved that title as the strongest of ninja, but more than strength is the great knowledge that breathed life into that strength and the wisdom to use it effectively. Please tell me, should I have doubted the things that were said?"
"I…" Sakura said, then paused for a moment. It was true, and her own experiences testified to the fact, that those who housed the tailed demons rarely remained themselves. Gaara was driven to murderous near insanity much earlier due to his treatment, but eventually his tenant would have eroded his mind and consumed him. Only those humans with extraordinary abilities and strong wills could become the master rather than the mastered. "You were not wrong."
Miatio seemed to sag visibly with relief, but Sakura wasn't done with her.
"But you were not right either," she said. "Those who possess the tailed beasts are not predestined to succumb to their influence, even if they are a young child. Strength of will, training, and their own power can enable them to harness the liability as their tool."
"I see," Miatio said. She looked away again, downcast.
"The Third knew this as well," Sakura said. "You should have listened to him."
"His relationship with the Fourth, everyone thought that his bias, that his words were too suspicious," Miatio said, rambling slightly.
"Are you okay?" Sakura asked as the old woman seemed to lose more of her composure by the minute.
"I'm sorry I troubled you dear," Miatio said determinedly. "You didn't need an old lady's problems. I've been too selfish."
"Miatio-san, please, why does this bother you so?" Sakura asked gently. "These things are all long past now."
"I watched Naruto-sama with suspicious eyes and thus was witness to many cruel things," Miatio replied. "There were some that kept him from wandering, when he was quite small, by hitting him if he went into a part of the village where he was not meant to go. Some threw stones."
"You did these things as well," Sakura asked, already knowing the answer.
"I can never apologize," Miatio said. "How does one apologize for such a thing?"
"Naruto-kun," Sakura said. "You don't bear any ill will do you?"
Miatio looked around, startled, as Naruto seemed to appear from thin air next to Sakura. His smile wasn't a fake one, but it wasn't energetic either.
"I don't remember you throwing anything at me Miatio-san," Naruto said softly. "I don't think that any of the people who threw stones at me are here in Konoha anymore."
"No, of course not," Miatio said emotionally. She understood Naruto's sentiment. As far as he was concerned none of it had ever happened. It was all overlooked. Blotted out…
"I guess I should have told you that Naruto and I are rarely far enough apart not to be aware of what is happening with the other," Sakura said. The senses of one able to acquire the title of Sannin reached far, even for a ninja.
"I do believe I've out shopped you," Naruto said, changing the subject abruptly. Sakura looked down at the two articles of clothing she had compared to the nearly half dozen Naruto had picked out for himself.
"I guess so," Sakura said, laughing slightly. She eyed his selections and decided that she couldn't have done much better herself. "Don't you dare tell Ino."
"Please, come back anytime," Miatio said earnestly as she accepted their payment. She didn't even bother to attempt to trivialize or acknowledge the past by offering to let them shop on the house.
"We would love to Miatio-san," Naruto said, smiling like his old self again.
"I'm sorry you had to hear all of that," Sakura said once they were back out on the street. Secretly she wondered how many people who now greeted Naruto with great formality and honor as their protector had once abused him.
"Don't be," Naruto said firmly. The time was long past him being bothered by the torments that had plagued his childhood. "Be happy for today, okay?"
Sakura smiled and nodded happily. Together they continued walking the streets of Konoha, sampling the many things that it had to offer to anyone enjoying a day of leisure. At the end of the journey the sun was beginning to set over Konoha and the young couple found themselves at Sakura's door.
"You're coming in," Sakura said sternly. She held the door open for a sheepish Naruto.
"I don't want to impose," Naruto said politely.
"It isn't an imposition," Sakura replied. "My Mom loves it when you visit."
"I haven't seen her in a while," Naruto acknowledged.
"I hope that poor Naruto-kun isn't too tired to stay for our evening meal," Haruno-san said. Sure enough a variety of enticing smells were filling the small flat where Sakura lived with her mother.
"He's never too tired to eat Mom," Sakura said jokingly.
"Then come in and sit down," Haruno-san said warmly. It made her very happy that her daughter seemed to have finally found the things that she wanted in life, both personal and professional. "So did you two have a fun day?"
"You bet," Naruto said enthusiastically.
"It was a nice change of pace," Sakura added. They continued to make small talk throughout their meal. Sakura finished early and excused herself for a moment.
"What's this?" Naruto asked when she dropped a small shopping bag down in front of him.
"Well, I had planned to give this to you later, but I decided there was no point to wait," Sakura said. "Go ahead and try it on."
"It's a coat," Naruto said.
"It is rated for ninja use too," Sakura said. She nodded with appreciation as Naruto slung the well fitted garment over his shoulders.
"Oh my," Haruno-san said.
"What?" Naruto asked.
"Here, come look in the mirror," Sakura told him. The three went into the small adjoining room where the full length looking glass stood.
"It's uncanny isn't it," Haruno-san said.
"I thought so," Sakura said. "When I saw the style I remembered the pictures in the history books we had to read back in the academy."
"It's just like what my father used to wear," Naruto said quietly. The long flowing fabric was a mix between a cloak and an overcoat. It was decorated with tendrils of flame licking at the bottom and while it was light enough to billow out it was stiff enough to resist entangling its wearer. "Thank you Sakura-chan, it's amazing. I'll always wear it."
Haruno-san was about to comment on the sappy way that her daughter and the blonde were looking at each other when the two of them suddenly stiffened. Green eyes met blue as they both took out summoning scrolls. Somewhere in the shadows of Konoha a tiny slug and frog backed away from the darkness that slid through the empty streets.
"What's wrong?" Haruno-san asked with alarm. She knew that the senses of the Sannin reached far, even by the standards of a ninja.
"It's time," Naruto said simply.
"Mom, we've got to go," Sakura said.
"It's him, isn't it?" Haruno-san asked with resignation.
"Please don't worry," Sakura said. Her pack had appeared out of no where and Sakura unconsciously affixed it to her belt. "If anything happens…I love you Mom."
"Sakura," Haruno-san said anxiously, her eyes glistening, but the pair before her was already gone as if they had never existed.
"Would you like another glass Tsunade?" Jiraiya asked.
"Please," Tsunade replied. She looked at the white haired toad hermit fondly as he poured up the last of their sake.
"So, tell me," Jiraiya said. "Did I learn my lesson well?"
"I will inform Naruto that he is a very good teacher," Tsunade said teasingly. "Of course he had a good student, even if it was an old dog."
"We can't all develop talents like your's hime," Jiraiya said with a laugh.
"Oh Jiraiya," Tsunade said lightly. "Remind me why we didn't do this years ago?"
"Hm?" Jiraiya said. "If I did that then you might hit me and I don't think I could take one of your punches right now."
Tsunade laughed merrily and a moment later Jiraiya joined in. The two elder Sannin were leaning back in matching chairs in Tsunade's office. They had told the council that they had important strategic matters to attend to or something like that.
"Jiraiya, you remember that time when the old man played that trick on you?" Tsunade asked. She continued when Jiraiya didn't reply and she realized how vague her question had been. "You know…the one with the barrel of monkeys when…"
"Oh, right, that was his 'going away' gift when…" Jiraiya cut off when Tsunade unexpectedly jumped across the short distance from her chair to his. For a split second Jiraiya went into super-pervert mode as Tsunade was pressed against him, but his mirth turned to horror when he realized what was happening.
"Jiraiya," Tsunade mouthed silently. Blood was gushing from between her lips. Even muddled with drink Jiraiya still managed to quickly pull her away from where they were deeper into the dark office.
"I'll kill you," Jiraiya snarled into the empty space. Tsunade had just saved him from death, but all Jiraiya could think was that the price had been too high. A blade appeared through his shoulder and pain blossomed through the toad hermit's body.
"You," Jiraiya said. He had slumped against the wall, his arms cradling Tsunade's bleeding form protectively. "What do you think you're doing brat?"
"Trimming the fat," the dark figure replied flatly. His blade came up, crackling with energy, and swung toward the pair with economical deadliness. The blade sliced clean through both Jiraiya and Tsunade, but an instant later the pair disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"It's been a long time," Naruto said as he appeared behind the dark figure along with Sakura.
The only answer was the scream of a jutsu and the sound of the office's wall being demolished. Rooftops flew by as pursuer and pursued raced toward the edge of the village. Then rooftops turned to trees and before long all three parties were deep in the gathering darkness of the great forest surrounding Konoha.
Then, with all the abruptness of the beginning of the chase, the dark figure stopped.
"Well, well, well," a voice said condescendingly. "You seem to have picked up some trash on your way back."
"I was thinking that it's about time we ended all this," Naruto called out. Sakura glanced at him and noted that Naruto's expression was becoming more fox-like by the minute, just like the last time.
"And what prey tell is that?" the voice asked. From the tree branch that the dark figure was standing on another figure began to emerge and take shape. Through the darkness one last ray of sunlight managed to reach into the forest.
"You're mine Orochimaru," Naruto growled.
"You're not worth Orochimaru-sama's time dobe," Sasuke said, finally breaking his silence. "These eyes have already taken your measure."
"Interesting," Orochimaru said, his tongue flicking out as if to taste the air. "I think I'll let you play around a bit."
Sasuke indulged in a small smile and twisted his blade in anticipation. The distinctive appearance of his Sharingan eyes seemed to glow large, even in the dusk.
"I'll handle Sasuke," Sakura said sharply. She had donned her surgical gauntlets and made a rather ominous clicking sound with the metal tips. "You kill the snake. Today we Sannin will clean up our mess once and for all."
"I already told you," Sasuke said tersely. "I won't allow it."
"You won't have a choice," Sakura replied. Her green eyes seemed to bore into his body mercilessly. "This time you're coming back to Konoha even if I have to break every bone in your body."
AN: The time has arrived… Sakura vs. Sasuke; Naruto vs. Orochimaru
All reviews are welcome; thanks for reading.
