In your eyes
A NaruSaku Story
Chapter 10: On the wings of love
"Now Jubei!! Kill them now!!" Snake face howled his pale face now red with rage.
Jubei dropped down into a low but steady stance as he whipped his katana from its red lacquered sheath with a gleam of light and a lethal hum along its razor sharp blade.
Naruto too took up a stance but this time in front of his friends and his Sakura-Chan. In Naruto's left palm a whirring sound announced the formation of a one handed Odama-Rasengan. The melon sized ball of chakra howled with the promise of destruction for what ever it hit.
Jubei's honey brown eyes locked with Naruto's sapphire blues and a fearsome conflict ensued. It was a battle unlike any other; a battle of wills to see who would step aside first. Naruto could feel Sakura's presence at his side soothing him and giving him focus. Inspite of the situation or maybe because of it, he couldn't help but be drawn into the memory of something he'd learned from Jiraiya in his time away.
"Oi Oi Ero-Sennin; so where are we off to now?" The now 14 and half year old orange clad ninja badgered his white haired mentor relentlessly.
"Were off too the Cloud if you must know. They've developed some strong techniques for Chakra control that you could benefit from, and on top of that you could also learn more about their lighting techniques so you can better prepare yourself…."
"For Sasuke's Chidori." The blond finished solemnly
"That's right." Jiraiya didn't pry any further he knew the Uchiha prodigy was a touchy subject for his apprentice.
They passed the next hour or so in a some what uncomfortable silence as Naruto was brooding over the lost Uchiha, and a certain pink haired Kunoichi. Jiraiya meanwhile busied himself by working on their cover story. Finally they approached a small bridge over a chasm with a rushing river far beneath it. The narrow bridge meant that they would have to walk in line one in front of the other all the way across. Still it was the nearest safe crossing into Cloud territory and Jiraiya didn't feel like taking the two hour long journey to the more southern pass.
Naruto stared in wide eyed wonder at the gaping chasm, and the raging river beneath him and wondered at how they had gotten the bridge built in the first place. The chasm was way too far to leap across and too deep to climb down and cross the river.
He was interrupted in his thoughts as Jiraiya came to a halt suddenly in front of him. He saw the old perverts back stiffen slightly and tense up in the fashion that indicated that he was preparing for a fight. Peeking around his arm as best he could Naruto's blood ran cold as he found himself looking into one of the coldest pair of black eyes he'd ever seen.
"Excuse me good sir's But I must go this way would you please turn around and return to the side so I may pass." The man said in a pleasant voice that didn't match his cold eyes.
"Hey!! We were here first buddy!!" Naruto snapped back only to have Jiraiya backhand him hard.
"Shut Up!!" Jiraiya snarled and Naruto was instantly cowed this was the tone of voice he rarely used unless he was being deadly serious.
"I apologize for my students rash words. But he does make a point. We were first on the bridge Sir and it should be us that is allowed to pass." Jiraiya's tone was respectful but held an edge of steel to it.
"Your apology is accepted, but your point is not. It seems then we have come to an impasse one that can only be settled by our blades." The other man spoke as casually as if they were at dinner.
"So it would seem." Jiraiya responded
As one a gleaming katana leapt from its sheath, while a glowing Rasengan formed in Jiraiya's palm. For a full minute the two men looked deep into each others eyes. Naruto was tense as he expected them to leap into action at any moment. But to his eternal surprise suddenly both men stood up from their fighting stances. The sword was resheathed and the Rasengan vanished. The two men then bowed respectfully to each other and turned away.
"Come on Naruto were going down to the mountain pass. I'll treat you to the ramen stand there." Jiraiya spoke with a small hint of amusement but his eyes held a serious look to them.
To say Naruto was confused was an understatement he wasn't the sharpest tool normally regarding people but he was no fool. After an hour walking in frustrated and confused silence he finally rounded on his master and let him have an earful.
"Why did we run away from that guy? We could have taken him!!" He yelled now completely on his usual rant.
"BAKA!! Don't be stupid we would have been fighting until judgment day with that guy. His skill was equal to mine." Jiraiya chastised him causing him to sputter in shock.
"E-E-Equal to yours?" he stuttered "How…?" he couldn't finish his question as the thought rattled in his brain.
Sighing in exasperation Jiraiya gestured for the blond Shinobi to take a seat which he did; promptly crossing his legs and looking up at him with that look of concentration he had when he was learning his lessons.
For a moment Jiraiya was silent as he took a seat on a nearby log and took a small but bracing swig of his favorite Saki. After a brief introspection he turned and looked Naruto straight in the eyes before beginning.
"Naruto, your going to find in this world that there are situations where you'll have to fight that is a given."
"But you well also find that there are times when you have to fight even though you know you can't win. This you can do easily thanks to your endless determination."
Naruto nodded up to him in understanding as he remembered his battle with Kabuto and Orochimaru to rescue Tsunade-Baachan, and how he had thrown himself into the fray despite Kabuto's vastly superior skills. Jiraiya's next words though blew him away as the white-maned Toad Sage continued.
"What you must also learn though is there are times when you cannot fight, or should not fight. "He paused a moment to let his point sink in
"When I faced off against the Swordsman on the bridge we looked into each others eyes. In that moment we matched up against each other, and we found that we were equals. We could have fought for hours and we would have resolved nothing."
"But I don't understand how did you get all that from eye contact? Why not just fight?" Naruto asked plaintively trying his best to understand.
Jiraiya sighed and shook his head. "The eye contact was the fight Naruto. In that moment of contact we learned all we needed to know about each other, and with that knowledge we learned that a real fight would be a waste of time for both of us. So we went our separate ways."
Naruto's face was scrunched up in that manner he adopted when he was thinking real hard but finally he looked up his sapphire blues were clear and bright.
"So this was a time when there was no need to fight since we both could have just taken a different path."He said sagely causing Jiraiya's eyes to widen as he nodded proudly.
"Come on boy we've got another hour to go before we reach the mountain pass so I want to see you do at least 10 full Rasengans one handed before we get there. Then it's all the ramen you can eat if you do." He said standing and proceeding to walk on to their destination
"YAHOOOO!!" Naruto's shout of victory echoed along the mountainsides as they walked on. The setting sun glowed a deep honey yellow as it settled down below the horizon.
Now Naruto engaged in his own duel of wills with the Mist Swordsman. Jubei's honey brown eyes held a strong will that had seen him through many battles with foes both mundane and terrible. He had killed numerous fools who had tried to earn a reputation by challenging him to sword duels. He was a born killer and he held a skill with the blade that was second to none. To this day he had yet to meet his match.
Until now; as he looked deep into Naruto's Sapphire blue eyes he was taken aback. The young man in front of him was neither cowed nor intimidated. His eyes held a powerful burning intensity that Jubei could feel deep within his soul. A boundless courage and a will of strongest iron that was forged in the hottest flames. This Shinobi would not bend and would not break. It was as if he had seen hell and survived it. He had looked the devil in the eyes and laughed at him.
Jubei took note of the eyes of the others with him he knew none of them could match him, save maybe the pink haired Kunoichi. Yet this Naruto was a different matter entirely. He would match him, and he would not quit. As long as the pink haired woman at his side was in danger he would fight on and on for all eternity if that was what it took.
The two of them stood rooted their eyes locked for a full minute; though for them time seemed to stand still. Then Jubei was hit full on with a single thought that burned into his brain like a hot iron.
"I can't win. I can't beat this guy."
The thought turned over and over in his brain as he analyzed every scenario, and in each one the end result was the same. No matter how badly or often he hurt the blond in front of him the fight ended the same way.
He would lose time and again.
He made ready to fight anyways he still had a job to do and only one thing could stop him.
-ooOoo-
Sakura was beginning to sweat despite cooling breeze, and their proximity to the river. She along with the others watched as for the longest time Naruto and The man know as Jubei glared at each other. Seeming to stand frozen as still as statues, with only their eyes, and the steady breathing of their chests giving any indication of life.
She spared a brief glance at Shikamaru who gamely nodded in her direction ready to face off against the swordsmen in front of them. Behind her Choji held Ino protectively and had moved a step back behind Naruto to shield her further. Finally she looked back at Naruto as she reached up and took his right hand giving it a soft gentle squeeze. Just enough to let him know she was there and not leaving his side. He didn't look at her never breaking eye contact with Jubei, but he squeezed her hand back. The squeeze said everything he couldn't at that moment.
"I love you Sakura-Chan, and I swear I well always protect you."
-ooOoo-
Snake face was livid. Not only had the trio of Ninja been defeated but now the accursed Jubei was just staring at the blond, and showing no sign of making any move what so ever. He was torn about what to do right now since calling the man out was out of the question, and he most assuredly was not going to attack the Konoha ninja himself.
So he stood their sweating profusely as the tension between the two mounted and became so thick you could almost cut it with the sword the mist swordsmen held. He was shaken from his thoughts though as a loud authoritative voice caused him to pale visibly.
"What is going on here!!"
"Oh no not him any one but him…" the thought raced through his head as fear gripped his heart
-ooOoo-
"What is going on here!!" shouted a stentorian voice filled with authority.
All present looked towards the voice, and were greeted by the sight of a large crowd of people from the village. In the lead was a determined Shorty leading Heiji , Zenigata and a score of armed guardsmen. To their right a shaky but free Heza-Chan stood being supported by the mysterious nurse from the hospital. But the source of the voice was what drew all of their attention.
Stepping from the crowd a short thin graying man with a firm chin and piercing brown eyes took the scene in with a stern glare. He was dressed in the fashion of a noble of the Land of Fire, and carried himself with a dignity befitting his station.
Jubei stood and re-sheathed his sword as Naruto dispersed the Rasengan and stood up; the two bowed to each other and turned to the new voice. Sakura noticed that Snake Face and his friends immediately paled and Snake face looked like he might pass out as that steely glare passed over him.
"Would someone kindly explain to me what is going on here?" He commanded
"Father I can explain…" Snake face started before being cut off
"Be Silent!! Sune-Kumen-Kun I have heard enough of your lies and excuses." He raised his voice only slightly and still sounded like Tsunade on a rant cowing the young noble who immediately dropped to his knees in fear.
The old man turned a discerning eye on the rest of them his eyes paused as he looked into Sakura and Naruto's. His dark eyes lingered on Naruto's blue sapphires for a long moment before finally resting on Jubei.
"Well Jubei what precisely is going on here?" he asked causing the jaws of everyone present--except Shikamaru who had a strangely knowing smirk on his face--to drop.
Tension mounted as the tall rangy Mist Swordsman towered over the smaller noble for a brief moment. Then another round of Jaw dropping occurred as Jubei took a knee in front of him bowing respectfully.
"Hai Makoto-Sama. It is as you feared. As your aware rumors have circulated that your son has been embezzling funds from the Daiyamo's coffers for some time. Other rumors had him using Ninja to destroy crops and to terrorize the business interests of competitors for him and his friends. These rumors are true." he explained causing the Nobleman's dark eyes to narrow as they glared at his son.
"He's Lying father!! I have done no such thing!!" Snake face yelled "Where is the proof? Where are these Ninja that I supposedly used?" he smirked knowing that the ninja were dead and knowing that the incriminating account ledgers he had been keeping had been destroyed earlier in the week.
Makoto looked at Jubei inquisitively. But it was Shikamaru who spoke "I can answer that Makoto-Sama."
The Nara walked forward and from his pouch produced a notebook which he handed to the Nobleman who opened it and proceeded to study it intently. Snake face paled visibly, and his eyes were wide as Dinner plates.
"W-W- where did you get that…?" he stuttered incredulously
"You gave it to her when you told your friend to destroy It." he pointed to Ino who was still being carried by Choji
"No I Didn't I gav...Err I mean I have never met this woman" he sputtered causing Shikamaru to smirk
"No you didn't at least not directly. We've suspected you of harboring those three for a while now. I spoke to Makoto-Sama when he visited Tsunade-Sama a couple of weeks back that's when we learned about the rumors and we quickly put 2 & 2 together. You see Ino has a special trick where she can ride someone's mind, so when we were searching for those three she used it on one of your friends to get close to you. Imagine her surprise when you handed her the ledgers and asked her to destroy them before your father came home. Some pretty incriminating stuff in there." He finished as Snake face paled again realizing his error.
"Still you kept those three pretty well hidden, and we didn't have a lot of luck." He paused a moment "That was until you decided to act like an ass to Sakura over there, and she put you in your place." He indicated the pink haired Shinobi who gave Snake face a withering glare.
"Ino over heard you plotting revenge with those three, and we've been on to you ever since." He finished with a satisfied smirk.
Makoto looked at Jubei as if to confirm and the Swordsman nodded. " He openly discussed plans for revenge against the young woman and her boy friend using the ninja."
Snake face was stunned and started to choke out a protest but was quickly silenced as Makoto glared at him.
"You have dishonored me and you have dishonored our family with your shameful actions. I well deal with you at our home." He sneered at the defeated young noble his contempt openly voiced now.
"Hai father." He replied fuming in his shame and shaking with rage
"I apologize for my son's actions towards you. Please forgive us." He turned and bowed to Sakura and Naruto who stood by a little stunned as well by the events that had just played out. Sakura and Naruto bowed back accepting the apology.
Sakura wanted some answers from Shikamaru and Ino to confirm some of her suspicions but decided she could wait till they were at the hospital and had some rest. She turned to Naruto and smiled at him causing him to smile back at her as he pulled her close to kiss her gently on the lips. As she broke the kiss she turned and nodded in recognition and thanks to the mysterious young woman who was helping Heza-Chan. She nodded in return and smiled genuinely before turning to go to the hospital with her patient.
The guards took the weapons of Snake faces friends from them and soon began to escort the lot back to the town for some rough questions. As he stood their fuming though Snake Face only had one thought burning through his heart now; Revenge pure and simple.
He had lost everything. Even his own father would only look at him with disgust now. Rage and shame vied within him, and as he watched the young woman kiss her blond lover passionately a red tide rolled over him. With an inarticulate howl he grabbed a dagger from a guard and sprinted towards Sakura whose back was turned as she fussed over Naruto's injuries. Rage lent his face a demonic look as he stabbed the dagger at the young woman's back intending to drive it into her heart.
The onlookers were so shocked by the sudden attack that they had a little trouble getting in motion. Naruto though was able to react and he did the only thing he could at the time. He shoved Sakura out of the way and attempted to grapple the madman. Unfortunately he instinctively raised his broken right arm which caused a shock of agony to roll through him as with a final inarticulate scream of rage Snake face slammed into him missing his intended target.
Normally Naruto would have been able to handle the enraged noble easily but now he was badly hurt, and worse Rage and madness lent the wiry noble an unnatural strength. His momentum slammed the two of them back against the broken wall which gave way and sent them tumbling over the edge. Sakura had a fleeting glimpse of Naruto's eyes as they caught hers one last time before they vanished from view.
"NARUTOOOOO!!" Came her plaintive scream as she scrambled to the edge only to be held back by Shikamaru who was afraid she was going to throw herself off the cliff as well.
As she dangled their for a moment she could see Naruto and Snake face as they seemed to fall in slow motion towards the witches cauldron of water at the base of the thousand foot high water fall, before they vanished from sight their falling bodies lost to the mists of the fall.
-ooOoo-
An inarticulate howl of rage was the only warning Naruto had before a lunatic was charging his Sakura-Chan with a gleaming dagger in hand, and murder in his eyes. If he were healthy he'd simply have kicked the moron's ass roundly. But he was hurt badly and definitely not up to fighting par. So he did the only thing he could at the moment. He used his one good arm to shove Sakura out of the way and raised his arm to catch the dagger so he could let one of the others nail the jerk.
Unfortunately he raised his broken right arm and a shock of agony went through him causing him to stumble. Then before he could do more he was overborne by Snake face who was foaming at the mouth as his black eyes blazed with madness. He felt his feet hit the broken remnants of the wall before he fell backwards the two of them tumbling in mid air. His last sight was of Sakura's beautiful emerald eyes going wide with horror before he lost sight of her.
Now he was free falling and as he was swallowed by the mists kicked up by the water fall time seemed to slow down for him. It was eerie inside the fog; it made him feel more like he was drifting more then falling. The colorless mists, the rush of air past his ears and the roar of the falls combined to create a dulling sensation on his senses. It was rather pleasant actually, and it seemed to lull him to sleep. All he had to do was just let go and fall. Then he'd smash into the water at the base of the falls and if that didn't kill him he'd quickly drown. Nice and easy and wouldn't that make a few people in Konoha happy he smirked without humor.
As he fell for what seemed an eternity suddenly he wasn't alone. A beautiful young woman dressed in the garb of a Shinobi of old reached out to him. She placed her hands on his face and gave him a gentle smile before she reached forwards and kissed him gently on the forehead. Then as she pulled back her soft grey eyes met his and though her mouth didn't move he could swear he heard her say something in Sakura's voice before she vanished as a swirl of mist obscured her.
"I believe you can fly."
"Sakura-Chan…" he thought and suddenly his eyes opened as he reached out his left hand towards where she was. No; not this way. He'd made a promise and he always kept his word. He had something to ask her and there was no way he was going to die before he heard her answer. His chakra spiked and he pushed past the agony and focused all his power on his promise, and the image of the young woman that held his heart in hers. The wind continued to roar past him as he could feel the bottom approaching faster and faster. The white waters rushed up to greet him.
-ooOoo-
"I'm so sorry Sakura." Ino was holding onto the inconsolable kunoichi who had collapsed to her knees before sobbing uncontrollably.
Tears ran down her beautiful face as the platinum blond did everything she could to comfort her best friend. It was all she could do to keep from breaking down herself. She'd never been quite as close to Naruto as she would have liked. She knew that Naruto had lead a hard life and Sakura had seen heartbreak but now they seemed to have found each other. But now when he and Sakura seemed to have found true happiness it was wrenched from them. She felt Choji's strong hand gently squeeze her shoulder. She looked up at him helplessly as she felt Sakura shudder through another round of sobs beneath her.
A tear escaped Shikamaru's eye as well. He'd always considered Naruto to be one of his best friends after Choji and for him to die now just when things seemed to be going so well for him was a damned injustice.
Shocked moans and tears were also coming from the villagers themselves. To see such an act was a shock and left many of them in deep sorrow. Makoto walked up to the edge and bowed his head in respect. He had heard that the young man was a worthy Shinobi and he felt he would gladly honor him when he next spoke to his friend Tsunade.
For a certain brown haired former Medic-Nin it was all she could do to keep from collapsing on the spot. This was too real and brought back too many painful memories, and here now listening to the anguished cries coming from the pink haired young woman she'd come to consider a friend over the last few days was almost too much for her to bare.
Grief and shock played over the faces of all present. Only Jubei kept his face even and expressionless. But his eyes held the feeling of loss in them; a worthy opponent, and one who was loved and accepted if the reactions to his loss by those around him were to be believed. Jubei closed his eyes and bowed his head in respect to the fallen warrior.
-ooOoo-
For Sakura the heart break was unendurable. He was gone. Her Naruto was gone and he wasn't coming back. She had found love and lost it again that quickly. A curse she decided; yeah that's what it had to be, a curse on her. She'd offended someone in this life or a past life. She was base and unclean and Naruto was so sweet and special. So the gods punished her by taking him from her when she knew it would hurt the most. She knew she'd never fall in love again the thought was as plain as day in her heart. No one could hold the place in her heart that he had held. She would be forever alone now. No longer would she hear his laughter, or feel the warmth of his arms. All she would have left is the memories and those would be cold comfort on the lonely nights to come.
Unbidden the legend of the Lovers Leap came into her mind, and she wondered if maybe he'd come back to protect her if she were ever in trouble. She heard again the story as she'd read it too him, and his words as he'd made her a promise.
Suddenly his eyes brightened up almost seeming to glow in their intensity. He looked directly into hers, deep sapphire blues bored into soft emerald greens with an intensity that made the hairs stand up on Sakura's neck, and gave her goose bumps; her heart beat increased as she dreaded what he would say next.
"I'll prove it Sakura-Chan just like in the story." He smiled a wide genuine smile at her while thumping his chest confidently. "I promise you if I can leap off that stone and fly then our love well last for all eternity." He smiled and nodded giving her a thumbs up that caused her to briefly flashback to his first promise of a lifetime.
As she sobbed she heard his voice in her mind, and her heart leapt into her throat. As she looked up she saw again the image of a man dressed as a shinobi of old. He looked at her and smiled genuinely.
Did she believe? Could she believe in him? Her eyes tightly closed, and she whispered something in a broken voice then repeated it loud enough that Ino hugging her close heard it and gasped in shock.
"Naruto… I believe you can fly…"
She repeated it as if it were a mantra and held onto the words as if they were a lifeline. As if she could send them to his heart across the distance.
It was Choji though that blurted out words she'd remember to her dying day.
"He can fly??" he blurted out incredulously
"He can fly??" Ino now equally incredulous
"He flew!!" Shorty chirped in an exited and amazed tone.
Sakura her heart pounding in her chest dared to look up for a brief moment and the sight left her speechless.
For there floating overhead in mid air was the smiling face, blond hair and Sapphire blue eyes of the one and only Naruto Uzimaki who was grinning down at her like he'd just won a lifetime supply of ramen.
"Naruto…?" she breathed incredulously
"See Sakura-Chan. Told you I could fly." He smiled down at her.
Poor Sakura was so overwhelmed at all that had just happened that she did the only thing she could do at that moment, as all the shock and pain and relief rushed in at her at once.
She fainted.
To be continued