Am I Stronger?
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters – all rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto. The new plots (meaning the ones you don't recognise) and my OCs belong to me, but anything else Naruto related belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. I write and post stories free on as a hobby.
Chapter Seven: Emotion Binding no Jutsu!
Written by 10ShizukaYuukiMistress10
"… three important files have been stolen from me. Very important files," Tsunade said quietly. "how could three files of such high importance get snatched away, right under my nose like this?"
Ibiki Morino nodded seriously, "Are you sure that it wasn't a joke by some of the newest Anbu members? If so, then I'd be more than delighted to straighten them out…"
Tsunade shook her head. "We can't assume our suspects so quickly. What if that's what the real culprit wants to happen? For us to turn our backs on each other?"
Shikaku Nara coughed sharply. "The Hokage is right. We mustn't jump to conclusions, or accuse each other. It won't do any good to start up fights with each other. Let's think this through rationally."
Ibiki scowled but said nothing. "… The best solution would be to strengthen our guard around such important files next time, and learn from this foolish mistake. Nothing like this would happen if I were in command." Danzo reprimanded coldly.
Tsunade turned her back on the three males and faced the village. She looked much tireder than usual and heightening the dosage of sake hadn't helped to deal with the stress. But really, how had she allowed such a sever thing to happen? What if even more important files got taken away?
But the disturbing thing was she that had put up a heavy guard around those files. Not even some of the most experienced Anbu could've gotten past the multiple seals and genjutsus that she'd put up to protect those files. Only someone powerful, someone who possessed an unheard of technique…
"In order to find a solution to this, we much remain calm," Danzo supplied slyly, seeing Tsunade's distressed expression. "as I said, nothing of this calibre would ever happen if I were in command, but as it happens, I am not. My only advice to you fifth Hokage, is this: Don't let it happen again, or I will force my command upon you and you will lose your power of flexibility to make your own decisions in this office."
With that said, Danzo bowed his head and excused himself from the room. Tsunade's fist released once the door slid shut, and Ibiki and Shikaku shook their heads.
"He's right. I shouldn't have let that happ—
"—don't be ridiculous, Tsunade-sama; how could you have predicted something like that would happen? Even kage's cannot prevent the existence of thieves." Ibiki growled. "Take my advice and forget it. My officers will put up extra security for you. And I'm sure Shikaku can do something about looking into some leads for this… issue. We'll get those scrolls back."
Tsunade smiled gratefully at both Ibiki and Shikaku and dismissed them. Once they had left, she returned to her own devices – or in other words – she returned to mulling over how anyone could have stolen those files from her. Just what were they plotting to do with them?
Tsunade sighed. Those files held confidential information. The first file, held a list of every ninja above genin level in the Leaf; the second file, held all the data on the Leaf's allied villages; and let's not forget the third file, that held all the information on our economic welfare as well…
Tsunade's frown deepened, as her thoughts strayed. And what if Danzo really meant that threat? My grandfather… how much he'd be disappointed in me if I lost my command over his cherished village…
Before Tsunade could puzzle over her predicament any further, she noticed a messenger hawk perched outside her window.
Immediately, she got up and let it inside; and attached to the bird's leg was a scroll.
Hmm... this bird's come back from quite a journey… Tsunade noted, as she noticed the poor bird's dishevelled wings.
But as she unwrapped the scroll and scanned to the bottom, her eyes widened.
"It's… it's from Sakura!"
XXX
-two months later-
Sakura sighed as she looked around the village market. It was heavy with busy-looking civilians trying to get down to their own business. If only time could slow down so that she could look at each face individually and try to suss out who the victim they were after was. Sasuke had made everyone in Team Hebi memorise the face of the shinobi who supposedly held information on the Akatsuki. He would be somewhere here in this market right now.
They were all split up in other parts of this village – the Tsuki village – market, and the mission was to find and capture him, since Sasuke wanted to learn as much as he could about the Akatsuki, in order to initiate a plan to take down Itachi.
I'm having no luck… maybe I should go and find the others and tell them that we're wasting our time here… Sakura thought dully, as she ignored a particular villager who was eyeing the large blade on her back nervously. After another moment of thought, Sakura finally acknowledged these petrified glances that the villagers were sending her left, right and centre. She offered them a small smile and moved on.
It was normal for the team to get looked upon like this. After all, they were missing ninjas – except for Sakura, of course. The only thing was, Sasuke had made her put away her Leaf headband, to her utter reluctance – so it was only expected. Plus, she really was much better with the Executioner's blade. Team Hebi had spent a lot of idle time resting and planning, so that had left Sakura plenty of opportunities to test out her skills.
As Sakura walked forward, paying little attention to the merchandise displayed on the stalls around her, she continued sorting through all the faces that passed her, up until something strange happened.
Sakura was just passing a tired-looking elderly woman, when she suddenly felt over-whelmed with anger. It didn't make any sense.
As this unusual spurt of anger increased, Sakura had no other choice but to slip out of the village market, and into a desolate forest – just in case she couldn't control her actions and ended up harming someone.
BANG!
Sakura's fist shot out to demolish a nearby tree. She had been so overwhelmed with anger that she felt there was nothing else she would rather do.
BANG!
BANG!
BA—
—just as Sakura's fist came out to strike once again, she stopped herself.
I… I have to fight back… I'm being controlled!
Sakura's arm jerked and shook like a rattle snake as she resisted.
"…I have the ability to control how you feel," Came a deep, alluring voice. It was clam and balanced, yet it held a chilling vibe.
Sakura looked up to see a male ninja about a few years older than her, standing a few metres away. Long black hair was tied up in a ponytail on his head and eyes the colour of green seaweed stared back at her.
"…pain," He said suddenly, and Sakura felt the anger leave her body, to be replaced by a searing pain. Her veins filled with fire and burned with a wild intensity.
"Stop…stop that!" Sakura gasped, doubling over. She tried fighting back the pain, but this time it didn't work as well as it did with the anger.
Sakura peered at him more closely. His face was blank – clearly a mask hiding his true expression – yet despite this, Sakura didn't think that he was enjoying torturing her…
Just who is this person?..
Sakura's eyes narrowed as an especially nasty bolt of pain entered her body. That was when she felt all the pain suddenly begin to release from her. She looked up in shock.
When he spoke, it was again in his mysteriously balanced voice. "I have used this technique – The Feeling Binder Jutsu – on countless victims. None have lasted as long as you have with pain, without falling unconscious."
Sakura didn't know what to say to this as she regained her composure.
"…the only weakness that my technique has, is that I in turn must also feel the emotion that I bring upon my opponent, and if I am weak against that particular emotion, I cannot hold it past you for long. Well done for coming so far, but let's see who's tougher with a different emotion…"
"I don't care about your stupid games!" Sakura growled, as she slowly picked herself up from the ground and gathered chakra to her fists—that were hidden behind her back. "So stop all your emotion manipulating tricks and fight me properly, if that's what you really want!"
He merely closed his green eyes and said nothing to the comment. "I have brought you out here to satisfy my boredom. You're just a puppet for me to pass my time,"
Well this bastard won't be like that for long when I'm through with him…! CHA!
However, as Sakura was about to lurch forward, a grip overtook her whole body. Immediately, the chakra around her hands extinguished, her legs wobbled before buckling underneath her, and she felt her eyelids falling shut.
This is… is…
"…weakness. You are feeling weakness." He stated indifferently. Sakura didn't know what to think. He had to be lying. He wasn't toppling to the ground…
"If you are wondering why I am not suffering the same pathetic fate as you, then that is because you are weaker than me. I am strong. I can easily par up to this emotion,"
Sakura flinched as the words rebounded in her head harshly. She was weak.
She couldn't beat him alone either. Sakura slowly began to realise that she needed help – she needed her teammates. Or he'd kill her.
"Don't hurt her," Came another voice. It was cold and firm. It was Sasuke. He had come to her aid.
Sakura looked up to see that Sasuke had suddenly appeared in front of her. "…Sasuke, you've got to be careful! He controls your emotions!"
Sasuke turned his head back to look straight at Sakura. He had Sharingan activated.
"You're OK?" Sasuke checked. Sakura just nodded. "I'm fine now."
"… A newcomer. You are Itachi's brother, am I right?"
"How would you know?" Sasuke shot back sharply, a dark, haughty expression creeping up into his face.
"I joined the Akatsuki and met him only two months ago." Said the green-eyed shinobi in front of them wryly in response.
"If you are a member of the Akatsuki," Sasuke began, the tomoe of his Sharingan spinning – in order for him to tell whether the enemy in front of him was lying or not – "then how come you're not wearing the cloak?"
The dark-haired ninja simply sneered. "I don't have to wear that piece of trash in order to be a member. All need to have, is their ring," He stated disdainfully.
Suddenly, his eyes darkened. He was now serious again. "You have interrupted me, Uchiha Sasuke. Come and fight in the place of that foolish kunoichi!"
Sasuke made no objection and disappeared before Sakura's very eyes.
Sasuke was as fast as lightening. And his strikes with the Chidori were truly efficient, Sakura noted as well, as she watched them begin to battle.
Although, when Sakura watched closely, she also noticed that Sasuke would occasionally falter as if weakness was upholding his steps. Or he would occasionally flinch in pain. And even worse, he would hesitate before deciding to strike the dark-haired shinobi, as if he was being held in the grips of naivety.
"… just give up. This battle is hopeless against an opponent whom cannot par to my jutsu!"
Sakura shook her head firmly, sure that Sasuke would continue fighting until the end; except he didn't. He finally crouched by her side and said without sparing her a glance: "Sakura, we'll have to get away. I don't think I'm prepared to fight him."
Sasuke then stood up and turned back to the dark-haired shinobi. "What are you called?"
He didn't say anything. When he finally spoke up, it was with a nasty sneer, "Don't underestimate me. I know that you're trying to juice out some information on the Akatsuki. That's your goal, isn't it Sasuke?"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "How would you know?" he growled, as a spurt of Chidori lightening engulfed his hand.
"It is obvious. We all know that the famous Uchiha Sasuke wants to get revenge from his infamous brother – the Uchiha clan's traitor – Itachi. And in order to do that, you'll have to find the Akatsuki base."
Sasuke remained unfazed surprisingly. "Just tell me your name,"
The dark-haired ninja sighed. "It is Hiroshi Shiyou. My name will come to public once I slaughter more people. But I shall spare you two shinobi out of mercy – let you continue your pathetic lives. Maybe one day we will meet again and you'll see what it truly means to feel my full wrath. I have a mission to return to,"
With that said, he turned away from them, and walked into nothingness. He literally walked into thin air. (–– or in other words, he turned into thin air.)
XXX
The encounter with the Akatsuki member Hiroshi Shiyou had left Sasuke in a bad mood. He'd teleported Sakura back to the Tuski village market without saying so much as: "…go and find Suigetsu and Jugo. I'll meet you all here later."
When Sakura reached Suigetsu, it was to find that he'd gotten into a fight with a band of rough-looking shinobi.
Breaking them part – by sending a generous clocking to each of their heads – Sakura then went on to get Jugo, even though it meant dragging the unconscious white-haired ninja all the way there with her. This had earned the pair of them many suspicious looks from the villagers.
"So Sasuke just said he'd meet us all here later?" Jugo asked Sakura tentatively when she explained to him the situation. She nodded. She was annoyed with Sasuke's constant mysterious behaviour. Why did he keep leaving?
Yeah... couldn't even tell me where he was going!
"Sasuke is such an idiot!" Suigetsu suddenly yelled. "Always leaving us waiting! I say we go against his orders for once and do what we want! We're not his dogs!"
Jugo shook his head in objection. "Sasuke is my new master. I won't go against him."
"And if you do, I'm sure he wouldn't mind chucking you outta the team and finding a better replacement," Sakura added in a murmur.
Suigetsu pouted at this, but said nothing until Sasuke did come back. The Uchiha avenger looked much calmer than he had after the encounter with Hiroshi – whom Sakura was still puzzled over.
"I located our new hideout. It's in a cave near a waterfall to the east." Sasuke said as his dark onyx eyes swept over the team. "I take it that none of you have spotted the shinobi who we were after in this market then?"
Suigetsu simply shrugged, muttering something about picking up a fight though. Then Jugo wrapped it up by apologising to Sasuke for failing, who just turned away.
The journey to their new hideout, however, took a rough turn. The sun was down but Sakura kept constantly thinking that there were shadows leaping through the trees, tailing them.
They were being followed.
It's so odd… how come Sasuke or Jugo or even Suigetsu haven't noticed this? Sakura wondered, as she saw that none of her teammates showed any signs of being aware of their followers. Maybe I'm just getting paranoid… I mean, it could be anything. Just a fox or wild cat…
"Hey! Are you ok?"
Sakura was dragged back to the harshness of reality when she felt a wet hand connect with her face. She squinted through tearful eyes to meet Suigetsu's smirk.
Sakura's eye twitched.
"… what did you just do?"
Suigetsu immediately shrunk back. "Uh – Uh you looked like you were daydreaming – but now you're not! Heh, heh, we'll be at the cave soon. Our new base, I mean!"
Grudgingly, Sakura let it go. "Fine. But touch me again and I'll hit you so hard, that you'll wish you were back in that base Orochimaru kept you in!"
Suspicions of being followed were soon forgotten, as Sakura's thoughts strayed to Naruto. Her heart stopped.
Two months had already passed. It dawned on her that Naruto must be back in the Leaf by now. He would've returned today.
Sakura didn't know why, but she felt tears prickling at her eyes. Instead of being there at the Leaf to welcome him back, she was here with Sasuke. Naruto was surely asking around for her, wondering where she was. Yet, by now she should've been back in the Leaf anyway – and with Sasuke. She should have brought him back by now. That had been her mission. She just hoped that Tsunade had received her letter by now.
Sakura had even thought up countless strategies for taking Sasuke down when it came to it. She still had the Sleeping Elixir too…
Alright then, Sakura. Came Inner'sconfident voice in her head.
.
.
.
.
.
…It's decided. You're going to bring Uchiha Sasuke back to the Leaf one way or the other. And sooner than you think…
XXX
Sakura had been right in thinking that they were being followed. The three punks who Suigetsu had supposedly been originally fighting with when she got to him presented themselves right when the team had finally arrived at the cave.
"Kwaaaaa! Ahahaaha! We got ya now!" Yelled one of the punks, who had horribly bad breath and missing teeth.
The shortest one, a plump middle-aged man, ran at Sakura. She raised an eyebrow and stepped out of the way. He immediately went charging right into a rock.
BANG!
Sakura now realised why the others hadn't sensed these punks before now. They were civilians and had no chakra. It would've been impossible trying to sense them through their chakra signature. And being the child of two civilian parents, Sakura could sense the presence civilians a lot better than ninjas could.
Meanwhile, Suigetsu had already pinned down the other two punks.
"Now what should we do with them?" Suigetsu asked apprehensively. "I wouldn't mind finishing off what I'd started earlier…"
Sakura sighed. She really didn't have time for this interruption. It was late and she was tired.
Sasuke simply waved Suigetsu off. "Let them go. There's no need to waste your strength on scum,"
With a reluctant sound of protest, Suigetsu let them go – but Sakura didn't notice how he kneed them all in their soft spots first.
When they entered the cave, something didn't feel right. Sakura peered at the grim walls, which felt like they were going to close in on them. Suigetsu, Jugo and Sasuke also felt on edge upon entering as well.
"… Geez Sasuke! Didn't go out of your way to choose a less-intimidating cave, did you?" commented Suigetsu at once.
Sasuke continued walking forwards as if he hadn't heard anything. Then, he took a big intake of breath, and…
"Fire Style: Fireball jutsu!"
A fire was lit.
The cave was big enough for all of them to have plenty of space to themselves. But as Sakura went over to a dryer corner and chose that as her place, she noticed something that made her eyes widen.
At her feet were a cluster of skeleton heads, all of which were covered in explosive tags…
"Run! GET OUT NOW!" was all Sakura could think of saying. She'd known that there was something wrong about this cave ever since they set foot in it. The previous inhabitant here must've wanted to keep this cave out of bounds for anyone else.
BOOOOOOM!
At the last second, Sakura had managed to throw herself against the wall, which cracked and gave way to her strength. She had then fallen right out onto the other side, to hit soggy grass, and feel an agonizing burn on her leg. She didn't know whether the other's had made it out in time as well. It looked like she had been lucky to only receive a leg burn.
Surely Sasuke would've used the teleportation jutsu, and Suigetsu would've just turned into water, and Jugo would've transformed to protect himself. Right?
…But only with a three-second warning? Well, they are strong shinobi… they should be OK. However, even as Sakura thought this, she was still doubtful that they had made it out in time.
The Leaf-ninja turned around to look at the collapsed ruins of the once-standing cave. Smoke was issuing through the gaps of the cluster of jagged rocks. It was on fire from the inside. The whole expanse was unrecognizable. It was destroyed.
And Sakura needed to go back inside and check that none of her teammates were trapped under a rock, or bleeding to death. She had to get to them, and heal them fast.
As Sakura limped forward, she half expected to see Suigetsu jump up from behind her and tease her for worrying that they hadn't made it. Or see Sasuke emerge out of thin air with an irritated frown set upon his face, telling them that they were wrong to in come there at all. Or even Jugo, looking confused and ready to lose control any moment.
"Argh!" gasped Sakura, as she tripped on a stray rock and fell flat on her face.
I'm pathetic… I couldn't save them – I could only save myself! What am I… a failure? How could I let this happen…
Suddenly Sakura saw Naruto's face in her mind. Her eyes snapped back open again. It was like reality was flooding back in to her, and all those negative thoughts began to surface.
She had to focus on saving them.
Sakura continued limping forward until she reached the first cluster of disgruntled rocks.
"Just budge… a little….hell yeah!" Sakura cried, as she tried to move the rock aside. However, she was just too weak. She didn't think that she could summon chakra around her hands to help move it; and the injury on her leg was already draining her will to remain standing.
….It must have something to do with the side-effects of Hiroshi's jutsu. Sakura thought. The feeling of weakness had not completely left her.
It was like an Inner battle, Sakura realised, as she took a big breath. She had to be stronger.
Sakura brought out Zabuza's blade and wedged it into the ground, to that she could use it as a support to get up – she had already sagged down to the ground.
Just need to be a little bit stronger… c'mon! The others lives' are in need for me to be strong now, alright! She told herself.
However, it just wasn't working.
Sakura's eyes were beginning to flutter shut. She only managed to catch one final glimpse of the ruined cave, when she heard it;
"Er, who're you?" Came a new, female's voice, as she approached.
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A/N: Thank you to ThatOneReviewer for that idea you gave me in your review, which I'm deciding to use for the next chapter! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and have a happy new year! ^^ :D
