Title: Life is Never that Simple
Chapter: As simple as saying I love you
Author:meannaneko
Characters/Pairing:none
Type: Continuous (InComplete)
Genre: General/ficlets life
Word Count: 5247
Rating:T (just to be safe for language mostly)
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto-san.
Summary:What if one simple change, changes the fate of an entire village. But in the end life is never that simple, hopefully, at least for the Uchiha clan through this change, they may survive long enough to live it. This is arch one, the early years. This is an AU story, pre-massacre, ages defined below.
Author's note:
Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto 8 years old
Itachi- 13 years old
Shisui- 15 years old
Hana Inuzuka- 16 years old
On with the Show!
Green blue orbs took in the sleeping form of his eldest child, her rhythmic breathing as her pink hair was splayed on her pillow. The lightest whisper, "I love you, blossom." The blonde man took a deep breath, a hardness overtaking his features as he turned to face the ANBU team, Kana and Kisame who were waiting in the living room to brief the man and woman. He stepped out of his daughter's room to see his lovely pink haired wife exiting their son's room, having just laid down their eldest after their long journey home.
The two entered to see two other's had joined the crowd, the spikey blonde hair of the Yondaime Hokage and the brunette of Fugaku Uchiha. "What took so long, Saise?" Minato started, it had been almost month.
"Her mother…" Delacore turned.
"Many things, one of course after the attack, even the prime minister wanted to wait until things calmed down." Saise said firmly, formerly.
"Were you able to?" Minato started, Saise nodded and went to her pack producing what appeared to be a simple coin.
"It will only tell us if he is near…but since he seems to have copied your jutsu, Minato…" Delacore said firmly. The Hokage quirked a smile.
"Yeah, he can be anywhere in a second…got it. How do you…"
"A run in, on our way back." The purple haired woman gave a slight glare, to alleviate the concern.
"Oh silk web traps and my hammer always seem to work Kana." Saise laughed to the woman, who was chuckling.
Kakashi spoke, "Hammer?" Most laughed or smirked.
"She hits like one, and well…has Tan'nia'tro as a summons." The gasp was heard from the silver haired man and Kisame. It was odd hearing about the blessed item capable of destroying mountains with one swing, and can disrupted chakra flow on any target it hits. "Madara did say, that he was rather upset with something Sakura did, care to tell me what?" the man looked to the ANBU, all dropped their heads.
"She kicked him, many times…in a certain spot." Shisui admitted, stifling a chuckle as did Itachi and Hana. Blue green went to the two men who had very small smiles. The same orbs were laughing, now. "Then she punched him, chakra in her fist, and sent him flying 10 feet."
Hawk adding, "she kept insisting she could take him," Saise blinked, gulped and exhaled. Rodent and Hawk masked ANBU nodded to the unspoken question.
"She has been…spacing, Sassy." Kana said firmly. The pink haired woman's head dropped, brown hazel going wide. "That you can not stop…I am honestly surprised it took this long." Brown hazel met pale blue gray, with a slight nod of acknowledgement.
A small glare went over to Delacore, who gave back a look of frustration. For a moment, and all could tell, the two argued silently, eye brow hitches, small hand gestures, facial twitches. A telling sense of emotions being spoken, thoughts went between the two. Other's just watched, Kana finally spoke in Saise's language.
A heated discussion commenced, the two speaking very quickly. Several picked up that Haruno are not trained to be shinobi for a reason. That Sakura should not be trained to be a kunoichi. When Kana tried to retort, Saise said firmly that Sakura's situation is different due to the nature of her seal. Sakura should not and will not be taught to fight. The truth was that as a no Tenshi, she should not hide her heart. That Saise was ready to take her out of the academy and put her in a normal school. One voice rang out, it was Fugaku.
"Do not leave your daughter, defenseless, Saise." He spoke firmly, arrogantly. She glared, but a slightest hint of appreciation came from Delacore.
"And why, arrogant ass do you say that?" the hint of amusement, a confirmation of the discussion being the exact same the two witnessed over Mikoto all those years ago. Fugaku blinked.
"She has been wonderfully trained to suit her position, Saise. As we witnessed in our own home, she has been trained to be the perfect princess." This brought curious sounds, "The truth…they should have known, it was not just Sakura no Tenshi Haruno…it is Sakura-hime," Saise winced slightly at this. Kana groaned at this, as slight grunts were heard. "However…a question," he looked directly at the team, "what was the first thing she did." Three dropped their heads.
"Got in a fight," Saise gasped.
"Won against Sasuke," the rodent one said.
"Sent fan girls flying," Kisame added. Delacore was laughing at this point, as was Kana.
"Kept hitting him," the female dog masked one added pointing to Shisui.
"She hits like a…hammer," the four ANBU said in unison. Minato was now laughing as well to the words.
"And the truth is the two still fight over their living China doll." The slightest lift of a brow, a smile spread across Minato's face.
"Especially, after the gathering…what did Naru-kun say, oh, and I quote, 'Saku-chan is such a pretty doll, can I keep her?" Saise gaped at this.
"My daughter…is not a doll…" she sputtered out. The silver haired ANBU spoke up.
"But she looks like one…to sit like that, unmoving." Saise breathed out.
"Do you know why…I trained her to do that…any of you…she would have told you anything she picked up while she sat there," she looked around the room. "It is an espionage technique…she just seemed so natural at it, from the time she was born. Just watching the world and learning, but reserved in engaging in it." Saise looked away.
"Because she is shy," Kana said firmly. The Hawk masked one turned slightly, to the rodent masked one, a minute gruff came from the male. Kisame nodded his agreement to the words.
"Around Ino-chan, Naru-kun and Sasu-kun…she is not, nor you guys…but how many times Fugaku has she hidden behind me," Delacore asked, the man smirked his agreement not looking at his son sitting on the couch. It was a confirmation of something true about both Sakura and Itachi, who was taught to just think of his attempts to avoid engagement as being reserved. Both were incredibly shy, kept themselves back. A true part of their personalities the man has learned to observe.
Minato added, "Well the lessons left many praising her upbringing, the leaders of cloud were impressed, but something else." Kana and Kisame smirked at this.
"Dellie, as clan head, you should know there are three standing requests for potential clan arrangements…with your daughter, requested specifically." The pink haired woman's orbs went wide, as did her husband's who promptly smacked his head.
"Sakura-chan's potential, her intelligence, her ability to creatively use her existing skills…that would benefit this village, and should be encouraged." A slight glare came from the woman to the rodent masked teen.
"The garden raider's skills, Saise-san," The hawk masked one said firmly, this melted the glare, after a moment the woman considered it.
"She did show interest in using more offensive seals and tags," the silver haired ANBU added.
"And had to get the cat out of the pocket dimension traps…four times," the female ANBU said. Two sets of orbs went really wide, as her parents gulped.
"When it is time…a defender, a medic in training am I understood," she pointed to Minato, who put up his hands.
"Got it…can she have a summoned weapon?" the man asked, Saise smirked, as did Delacore.
"With her existing skills…probably one of the best cat burglars in Konoha," Shisui added off-handedly, both of Haruno's grunted at the very true and honestly funny statements.
The dog masked female looked to the coin, "what is…it?"
"Just has his blood on it…my mother put a reverse tracking jutsu, it glows if Madara is near." Saise answered firmly.
"The other information, yes there seems to be a gathering of powerful missing-nin's. I know star is tracking it. The leadership, the aims are uncertain, just rumors of civil unrest in Rain." Delacore added.
"How long is Tano-kun here for?" Minato asked.
"Until he is sixteen…occasional trips, but, he wanted to come home until he is obligated to return." All looked to her smooth words, a small smile. Kana looked to her, curious then to Delacore. Who was smiling.
"How?"
"He threatened to move in with grandma Nattie if Sanise forced him to stay." Delacore said with a full smile. Kana and Kisame both laughed out loud. Saise was actually smiling, Fugaku's orbs went really wide as well.
"Thank you, everyone, we truly appreciate your assistance with this." Delacore said firmly. He handed a sealed scroll case with intricate kanji, other's could barely make out to Minato, with a sly wink. The blue orbs the Hokage widened slightly, Saise giggled. Fugaku looked to item, then to his friend who winked, and the slightest hitch to the ANBU.
"Funny what you find…if you know where to look." The man said with a laugh smile.
"And two weeks recovery from being attacked by sentient arcane artifacts…" Kana added smoothly, Saise giggled as she nodded.
"Just means no more command performances for me…oh darn." Delacore added with a smile.
"Some one took lesson's from his daughter?" Minato asked, with a true sparkling smile. Delacore put his finger to his lips in innocence, nodded. The group left, the ANBU dismissed, except Fugaku stayed back.
"Saise, Mikoto did check the seal, it held." His onyx orbs met brown hazel. "You told me to not pigeon hole my children, to love and accept them for who they are…correct?" the man said firmly. The pink haired woman pulled back, a slow blink, 'true'. "If she is the one who can defeat him…we can't," he said earnestly. Delacore came up to him, true concern in his blue green orbs.
"What do you want us to do when he comes?" Fugaku turned, his heart sank and let it be seen.
"You were right, you pompous bastard…there is only one way to break this bargain, to save my sons from him." The tears were almost visible in the corners of his onyx orbs. "Help Mikoto protect them and the family, and finish raising our son's if I don't make it."
"I can…help…with the fight." Delacore interjected.
"Lose your life in the process…no pompous bastard. The only way you can help is to save my family, by helping protect my family, your family and Minato's is that clear." Fugaku said with firm conviction, that made both men stand straighter, "all I ask, is be granted the chance for…" his orbs trained on Saise, whose tears were already falling from the conversation. Brilliant crystal tears trekked down her cheeks, as they fell to the ground with a thunk. "That is something I never thought I would be worthy of, Saise." She smiled to him. "Just a death wish…" the woman turned her head and gave a slight nod.
-000-
It was quiet, too quiet for Naruto. The resident prankster wanted fun. Sakura's parents had been back for a week and she was kept inside, still. Sasuke's family as well kept him home. The lady with the purple hair, and the funny big blue guy had left, much to the blonde Kitsune holder's dismay. He was having fun playing with the big guy, learned so much about Mist shinobi, specifically how they can hide in water. He was sitting watching his mother pour over two scrolls that were blank to him. Every time he got close to them, he felt funny. More like the thing inside him would grumble and be grouchy until he moved away.
Naruto watched as his father came up to his mom, soft blue orbs trained on her. But her face looked, anxious. Naruto knew that look, one he would receive when he caused trouble. She shook her head lightly, both sighed their dismay. Another man, one Naruto knew as Jiraiya-oji-san came up as well. He looked down to the scrolls, to the notes on the paper Kushina had been scribbling on and then on Naruto.
"No way to break the tie, then?" the white haired man said firmly.
"It appears the seal Saise used was one of three ways to lessen it, and or contain the tie of Kyuubi to Madara. Since even the means for the breaking the seal is…it only says who…not the how. Only a full powered trained no Tenshi can break the seal. However due to how it was pulled in, it would be at the cost of their life." Kushina said firmly.
"That means Sakura-chan," Kushina shook her head, to her husband's question.
"Not with her seal, at this time only Saise and her mother could release that." The red headed woman said firmly. "Eventually Tano could…but not until he is sixteen. A no Tenshi can reinforce the seal, as we have seen with Sakura and Naruto." Both males breathed in, a slight sigh of relief.
"Because of the sword used to pull it in?" Jiraiya asked. Kushina nodded.
"What are the other two?" Minato asked softly, she pointed to something. A white ring that looked funnily enough to Naruto like the one Saku-chan wear's on her back. "One could siphon off…as long as we had a container to hold the chakra, decreasing its power until only the Kitsune itself is left." Kushina said firmly.
"Is that why, around Kana he was?" Minato asked indicating Naruto, whose blue orbs went wide as he just listened. Yeah his grumbley, grouchy voice did not like her. Kushina nodded.
"The Haruno true trait is beyond just control, but true Chakra manipulation without the need of a handsigns, seals, tags or jutsu's." Jiraiya added, this much both understood, "those are just tools to bend the chakra to their will."
"Grouchy one says, yep…like him." Naruto added. All three adults trained their gaze on him.
"Naru-kun, how often does the grouchy one talk?" large blue orbs trained on his father, the blonde boy just shrugged.
"It's calls me kit, when I need to be aware…it no want to die…so tell to avoid things that can kill me, and really hates thunderstorms." He said in an innocent, small voice.
"Naru-kun, can tell us next time it talks to you…and what it says," Kushina said with a bright smile, the boy nodded emphatically.
Last, Kushina pointed to a very scary picture, at least for Naruto. It was an idol with a gaping maw, two hands with long fingers, 9 eyes and a name that made all suck in, Tengu, the king of hell. "That is a container for all the bijou's."
Naruto started crying, the sight was terrifying him. "Grouchy say no like!" Minato bent down, picking up his son. "Naru-kun, we won't them hurt you, alright. We love you, so much." The man squeezed his son, who wrapped his small arms, around Minato's neck.
-000-
Fugaku was making an honest effort to spend as much time as he could with his son's, even to the point of annoying both. Itachi noticed it was not to train, or reprimand, but more that he would sit and watch. He asked questions about things Itachi had learned outside of the ninja art, versus gave orders on how to improve his skills. Of course the day, it was after a long intellectual discussion. That shocked Itachi was when his father told Itachi he loved him, and was proud of the man he was becoming.
Itachi was surprised when the phrase, "I love you, tou-san." Escaped his lips, for in truth the boy had never thought his attachment to his father was the same as to his mother and brother. The two people Itachi always considered precious. But it was true, since that day six years ago, when his father took him home from the park. The small spark of affection grew. The efforts his father made to not just protect the boy from the overbearing reach of the clan, but to be part of Itachi's life blazed through him in that moment. A true smile of care adorned the younger male's face. A moment later the young teen found the arms of his father around him, in a hug.
Fugaku found himself randomly hugging his wife, without warning or care to who was in the room. The look on his son's faces was priceless when Fugaku grabbed Mikoto after dinner one night and kissed her fully, to the point that he saw the look.
The man determined that if he was going to die, he would live fully and love fully. He would show his family and friends the side he keeps hidden for rare moments. In this he learned a precious truth, one he overlooked for so many years. He wasted so many moments, so many opportunities by not opening up to his children and his wife. By trying to be a good stoic emotionless Uchiha, he lost years of the warmth that filled his soul now. As he held his wife, "the pompous bastard was right." Her laughter filled the room, even if bittersweet. He knew Madara was coming, and was not disappointed.
Two weeks later, the four sat around the dinner table, in the center the coin glowed. A minute later a knock proceeded by all the Uchiha who stood against the elders poured into the home. Along the streets of the Uchiha compound rang a singular voice, bounding off the walls, "Fugaku Uchiha, I am here to settle this dispute, man to man." All looked to the man, who stood proudly, shoulder's back, orbs firm. Sasuke wrapped his arms around his father, Mikoto did the same and last Itachi. Fugaku engulfed his family in his arms, looking at each starting with Itachi.
"Be the good man I see in you and know I am proud of who you are." Itachi closed his eyes so others could not see the tears forming. Fugaku had him open his orbs, a small tear trekked down his face, "show this to those you hold in your heart." Father said firmly, as he wiped the tear from his son's face. Itachi could just nod. Next Fugaku's gaze moved to Sasuke, "follow your brother's guidance, but be your own person and a good friend…both of you will be great defenders of the people, leaders of Konoha and members of this clan. You will listen to your mother and know I love you." He wiped two tears from Sasuke's face as well.
Last onyx moved to the tear filled orbs of his loving wife, "one of my greatest accomplishments was earning your love Mikoto." He whispered, this did it, the tears broke free as she kissed him with her whole heart as love poured from her only to him, in front of everyone. His orbs trained up on the assembly. "Thank you, for being strong."
Fugaku tore himself away and went to face the masked man standing in the middle of the street, holding two of the elder's by the neck. Several other bodies were strewn around him. Fugaku switched to Sharnigan to see they were still breathing, barely. In total they were the older ones, not just the elder's, but 10 bodies around the masked man of the 60 inhabitants of the Uchiha clan.
"Are you ready to fulfill the bargain?" the man said firmly.
"Yes, Madara, I am." Fugaku stepped forward.
"Which one…"
"Me." Fugaku said firmly. "One of my blood given to you to do what you will, isn't that the bargain, well here I am…the originator of my blood." The brunette said sternly.
"And leave the clan without it's…leader?" the masked one baited. He snapped the neck of one of the elders leaving the old prune in a crumbled heap.
"There are other's capable of fulfilling that role, but only myself to fulfill your inequitable request." Fugaku retorted, taking a step closer. The masked man scanned the area.
Another knock at the door, and three more entered the main house. Two pink haired females and one blonde haired male. Delacore tilted towards Sakura, "she sensed him, the outside sealed against…all…what do you need?" the crowd parted.
Mikoto inclined her head to where the two men faced off. Both bit their fingers and ran them across the forehead of the girl, an overwhelming sense of power and immense chakra came off her. Sakura turned to the gasps. Her pink hair was loose and flowing, blowing without breeze. Her orbs ringed with her dark lashes and a very innocent expression, to include a pout engulfed her features.
This brought greater shock, as her emerald orbs with a distinctive dance to the pupils and a ring of white around the iris. However it was the halo of chakra in the form of wings…feathery angel wings out her back that brought whimpers and whispers.
"For Sakura-hime no Tenshi Haruno, that seal is made." Mikoto repeated. "The one denied her rightful place…for she belongs in Konoha." She finished for those who had questioned.
The three moved out, the Uchiha tried to follow only to be blocked by a quickly placed seal of Delacore, "now dear, like the others, just like Kana taught you." He said to his daughter, Sakura nodded and tapped it with her whole hand. A brief flicker of what appeared to be a chakra blob over the seal and a woosh was heard. They were trapped.
"Ah, a mouse hole, I should bring them out." Madara spoke looking to the place with the most inhabitants. "Katon…" a fireblast emanated from his lips towards the main house only to be redirected to the lake. All in the main house heard it, Shisui had to add, "or protected?" Itachi and Shisui moved to the seal, Mangekyou Sharnigan blazing it was one of Dellie-sensei's S-class seals. The seal's said to belong only to three people in his clan, which deflects all elemental attacks. What shocked both was the level of chakra infusion and the web that engulfed the house, they looked at each other to find both engulfed in the same chakra web halo. Nothing was getting in or at them.
"Sakura and Delacore spent the week placing these…he just wanted to add, the full protection he could afford." Mikoto admitted.
Madara caught sight of the two pinkettes and blonde. "Fucking Haruno!" the masked one yelled. Then took in the girl, "shit…a no tenshi, a no kami-sama damn tenshi Haruno…got lucky, uh Delacore…"
"Yes, asswipe…you should look at the house, Madara…a little trick I learned from my grandmother." Delacore baited. The man turned, his orbs swirled, and a gasp.
He trained is orbs on the small pink haired girl, "She is the one…that…thing you Haruno produce."
A definite chill in the air engulfed all, all warmth left. A breeze of fridged air waft through the house bringing frost to plants. "Thing!" Came from the girl her lips were not moving. "We are not here to fight this battle…to support its casualties." Again no lips moved as the emerald of the small girl went to the blonde male, who gave curt nod. Chakra strings came from her as she pulled the injured people to their side. Both her parents went immediately to healing those who were still alive. Sakura looked to them, the old ones and tears fell.
A light voice, an angel's bell started ringing. Fugaku and Delacore looked to Saise who was not the one singing. In the house all looked to Mikoto who simply said, "the hymn of passing, but Saise is not singing it…but it's like her voice." The song grew in strength as the voice did as well. Fugaku gave a smile to Madara, in this game of chess the board was stacked in his favor.
A silent crystal tear trekked down her face, a moment later a shock wave came off the girl. Madara gasped, screamed in agony and fell over, clutching his head. As did Sasuke and Itachi inside the house, all others were knocked back. Where the tear fell, stood a beautiful woman with pink waist length hair fluttered around her. She was a rather short woman, who appeared to be in her late twenties. Her very nice curves were covered in a half Kimono and black pants. Her wide, exotic dancing emerald orbs, with a distinctive white ring focused solely on the masked man before them. She was singing the hymn, her voice full, strong, rich and haunting, it was reaching all. The promise was to find another, to set them free from the pain and agony of life. The three gasped, as did those inside witnessing this, the door opened to see the woman singing. The emerald orbs turned to the sound.
Still singing, she took in the scene. Saise gasped, Fugaku looked to the woman, then the other pinkette, "your mother?" Saise could just shake her head. Finally emerald trained down meeting the brown hazel of Saise. She stopped singing right after a very poignant passage, 'I'll find you!'
"Mom!" the woman shouted elated towards Saise who gasped fully. The woman turned, looking to the girl who appeared in a trance, "mini-me…ah." She wiped the forehead of her smaller self, the wings went back in, "never, ever let both seal's out at the same time." Emerald turned to Delacore, her mouth dropped open. "You…are…my dad." She looked around, shaking her head and turned to Madara who stood up slowly, hand to his head all the while still gasping. The woman faced the man, her hands on her hips, head quirked to the side, wide exotic emerald dancing orbs boring into him. "Dara, are you causing problems? Tsk, Tsk, Tsk."
"How the hell…are you…" he clutched his head again, with a flick of her wrist he was locked in a chakra chains. "You are not her…"
"Yes I am Dara, want me to prove it…fine." A kick up of a large boulder, the woman with chakra in her finger, flicked it making the boulder, powder. All gaped at the sight, the masked one just growled. "Or better yet…Gotta say it, I mean hello the mask and all, Tobi is not a good boy." The man gasped, Itachi fought a laugh at hearing this as well. "Need more proof, fine, you have no idea how to play the immortal game child. You are not even a century and male. I am the beginning and end, the perfect circle. If I was honest with you mere mortals, I have been doing this….longer than recorded time, check mate mother fucker." That did it, the man wailed in bloody fury.
Another being flickered in, he was a tall lanky blonde with spikey hair behind Fugaku. He looked to the woman with long pink hair then to the girl. The stunned expression and gasp was heard, inner turned, "N-N-Naruto-kun…"
"That's my son…" a true beaming smiled filled the woman's dancing emerald orbs, as tears of joy feel from her orbs. Her hearts joy pulsating at that moment along with chakra all felt her joy for the boy to be alive, all got that loud and clear. Add to that her joy that her best friend had his dad by his side. She touched the smaller pinkette's head, "K, mini-me, time to share what you know…" and let the knowledge fill her. "My absolute pleasure, Minato-sama," she bowed lightly to the man. Her orbs trained on Fugaku, then back to the house, "What day is it?" the woman asked, and was answered.
The smile growing wider on her face, "Wait a second, gotta check something," she bounded over to the main house. She saw the porch filled with people, large emerald took in the sight of whole of the clan. They landed on shocked onyx of Itachi and she beamed a true smile. Onyx bore into her, then a true smile came over his features a small hint of understanding. The sense he had all along, he gaze trained on his mother. Soon followed by the orbs of the pinkette, who continued smiling, giggling and was nodding emphatically. Her orbs traced down to Sasuke. "It worked, boys…CHA!" she yelled in celebration.
"Who…are you?" Shisui asked.
"A circle without beginning or end, it's best if Saise explains this…after I…gotta deal with Dara…he can be such a bad boy."
"You look like Saku-chan?" Sasuke's large onyx orbs trained on the grown-up very pretty version of his favorite doll, the wind chime giggle rang through out.
"Kind of, or what she may look like in 20 years…" the older one laughed fully. Itachi's and Shisui's orbs went really wide, a slight blush on both cheeks at the thought of how beautiful the little girl becomes. "And yes…she will be…this short," She hit the top of her head. Shisui had to burst out laughing at the rather disgruntled look on her face that appeared with the words.
"That was you…singing?" Mikoto had to ask in a soft voice, the pink haired one gasped, then nodded. Inner took in the sight, through out the compound, "wow." Her face was practically glowing pure glee at that moment, but also the sense of emotive chakra. Her heart was in pure bliss in this moment, for them. She lifted her gaze upwards, simply saying, "Thank you!"
The woman turned swiftly, all catching sight of the Uchiha fan on her back. Shisui muttered in Itachi's ear, "it looks like little Saku-chan turns into a real hottie." The raven haired teen just nodded his agreement, gulping slightly.
Saise stopped her, "Now I know where I get my height from." The women met eye to eye, a moment of mirth then the serious question in the orbs of the elder, "I went boom, mom." The woman gasped.
"What my mother was saying…a redo?" Saise asked. The older Sakura nodded.
"I am the inner, a piece of it, but being a never ending circle." Saise nodded her understanding, "It was a death wish…two of them…one…is there." the adult version of Sakura looked to the house, and back to her, "The other, the tear I was in, never made it to the ground, until now. I never met my father…mom." Saise blinked. Sakura leaned in and whispered, 'he took over the world mom, even Star fell to him, created hell on earth.' Saise sucked in, as tears came from her orbs immediately.
"And you?" Inner showed her hand, the wedding band on it.
"His personal baby machine, four sets of twins and two singles in ten years," She finished the statement. "Well one set was Itachi's," the woman blinked.
Forehead met Forehead, as the movie of the reality she existed in played out. Her life started, as an orphan kicked out of star, living with her adopted parents. Agony ripped at the heart of the older woman, from the Kyuubi attack, Minato sacrificing his life, Kushina dying. Naruto alone, the clan massacred, Itachi taken by Madara. The time played of Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke on team 7. Orochimaru got his hands on Sasuke, through the curse mark and the promise of more power. The Akatsuki attacked, the collection of the bijou for the idol. Sakura trained by Tsunade. Itachi killed at the hands of Sasuke, only to be resurrected. Sakura kidnapped by Sasuke, who had joined the Akatsuki and was following Madara. She became bound to Madara, through blood oaths. That she was sold to the man by the elders and Danzo. She was shown what Sakura was forced to do for Itachi in an effort to support clan revival. The village selling Naruto to the organization, the witness of the blonde teen's death and his memorial.
The war waged against all the countries, her forced marriage, the death and decay of the village. ROOT turned on the village as well, and assisted with its destruction. The bleak hopelessness, that engulfed the lives of the villagers and even themselves as prisoner's to Madara's and Danzo's will. The stringent and strident training of the young shinobi, all bent to the men's demands. The slaughter of so many that tried to stand against him. The girl forced to have child after child. Itachi's death wish replayed, and finally the fall of star and the man trying to take the sword. Then the last scene of Sakura exploding, leveling the entire continent.
Once Sakura pulled back, Saise fell to the ground hugging herself as crystals fell. "I am sorry for your pain," the woman whispered to pained mother. Sakura trained dancing emerald back to Madara. She swaggered leisurely up to the man who was struggling against his bonds. Delacore came to the side of his wife, Fugaku and Minato looked to her, "I will tell you later."
"Now I have told you this before, Dara. If you are going to be immortal, learn to play like one." she said firmly to the masked man. "You now, know why I am here, correct." The man grunted his understanding. "The tear she let loose," pointing to the stock still smaller version of herself, "I held at that moment, Dara…for you. Just a chance to tell you something," she dropped down in front of him.
She removed his mask, all saw the wrinkled face. Her hands glowed for a few minutes and the man's face changed, his complexion smoothed out. She released his bonds, "Your pursuit of power is not worth it, your tie to your brother will destroy you." He gasped at this, pain evident in his form and face, "You are immortal, he is mortal…and in the end you will loose everything that makes you…human." Her finger's traced gently, softly, tenderly along his jaw line. The other arm was draped leisurely over his shoulder. Onyx bore into emerald which held warmth, towards him.
"You did?" he whispered, she smiled her warm true smile at him, sparkling emerald orbs only at him.
"The cruel sadistic monster you were to everyone I hated, but the kind caring man you were to me. The man you showed only me, when were alone…I loved you, so very much." She kissed him gently on the cheek he exhaled at this his orbs going really wide. This was soon followed by of an expression of agony from the man. A moment later, her soft lips pressed gently against his. He wrapped his large arms around the petite woman. Another shock wave hitting all, as the circle became complete, the wish fulfilled…she wanted him to know, he was loved. He understood, as heart met heart in this moment.
A few moments later they parted, the man truly breathless, "I think you also know why, she has been…a little focused on where she hits you." The man guffawed at her words, another slight trace along his face their orbs still locked. "I must go…in." she smiled and laughed.
"Will she know?" he asked earnestly. The woman shook her head, as the words inner blazed to life on her forehead.
"Only if you are bad boy, again, Dara," She teased. "For you were right, I am a gift to Konoha. An immortal to fight an immortal, as has been in the other nations in which a carrier appears. In the end, it is my duty to stop you." She finished with a full laugh. "If you try to kill or harm mini-me…or harm this clan. We will meet again, and I won't go easy on you, Madara." She finished firmly. "Since the one immune wants them to live." She laughed to the man, "And hey…there is more than two now," she said with swagger to her hips.
He growled viscerally at the remark, an almost sadistic laugh came from her lips, as she blew him a kiss. "A pace and means for fulfillment that is amenable to the weaker, more emotional, of the two." She added with full mirth her finger on her lips innocently, he growled again. Sakura turned to Delacore, "I am looking forward to knowing you, dad." Sakura bent down to her mother, lifted her up and hugged her fully. A full beaming smile on her lips as emeralds danced, "and you, mom." She spun to see the group on the porch, taking a moment.
She trained her orbs on the men, a seriousness in her features that showed wisdom and age. "A word to the wise, it is through will and heart that man can overcome the evil within the hearts of…man." Onyx, blue and blue green went wide with those words.
Delacore came up, "is that from." Another wave of pure chakra came off of her, knocked all on the ground.
"What do you think?" she asked earnestly.
"Who is…his brother?" Minato asked. She blinked to him, a small smile one word whispered from her lips before fading into the little girl, "Danzo." The little girl fainted.
Fugaku looked to the man, who appeared now no older than him. "We will talk on another day," Madara said firmly and transported out. The whole clan came out, many just starred at the girl in her father's arms.
"Saise?" Delacore asked, her tears still falling.
"It is what my mother was saying, that did not make sense, the missing piece of the circle…that was a clone of the nature itself. It was her death wish…could not be realized until the tear hit the ground." Saise tried, but failed as she dropped back down to the ground.
"There is only one way…" Delacore gapped as his orbs went really wide as Saise nodded. Mikoto, truly concerned dropped to the ground in front of her best friend. Saise spoke quickly in her native language, four understood. The reality from which that version of inner came, Delacore had died before she was even born. Sakura never knew her parents. Saise told how Madara destroyed the clan, the village and the world even…Star. Itachi's death wish reset time, but the explosion leveled the continent. Fugaku even responded to this.
"How could?"
"A death wish, Fugaku…has great power, especially ones as selfless…as…" the tear filled brown hazel trained on Itachi. "that."
Thoughts, Kudos and appreciation:
This probably got a little confusing, however it is a tie with the prequel which is rated M. Basically the being that appears is inner, or the true entity that is inner brought forth to deliver a message to Madara and others who hear it.
A death wish, is a selfless wish that one makes at their death witnessed by a no Tenshi, of Angels that brings a crystal tear from the one who hears it, will be attempted if not granted. Itachi wished in the canonverse of the prequel and prologue that his mother would be stronger than the will of his father, the Uchiha council of elders and the Konoha council of elders.
This was accomplished for she was not alone in a fight, she had the assistance her best friend, Saise Haruno who did not stay in her place of birth, but traveled with her husband, Delacore. A princess of another realm, relinquished her title to follow Mikoto and her friends, and in doing so, mostly, lives happily with her family and friends in Konoha.
I hope with this, plus the addition of the prologue which is chapter 1, should help explain quite a bit as to how the change in fate occurred. Again pairings are not decided.
What I am going to do with a bad boy like Madara, I am unsure.
Please review, for it shows me the need for improvement.
-Meanna