Hi guys! Here with another chapter, a relatively early chapter considering how long it usually takes me to post new ones x) Reviews last chapter were pretty motivating so I thought I'd surprise you all with this little tid-bit =] Hope you all enjoy! ^_^
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters in any way, shape, or form.
Chapter 10: Choosing Sides
"The plan failed."
Itachi's words, spoken through a hologram, echoed throughout the room of the Akatsuki lair.
"How?" It was all Madara could say -all he could think as rage bubbled inside of him.
"Kisame was found before we could attack properly. He did his best to fight them off but was out-numbered."
Madara nodded, understanding why Itachi never involved himself in the fight -it was futile, after all. The only way they would have been able to successfully accomplish this was if they managed to remain hidden from anyone. Itachi had the perk of blending in -Kisame did not. Once caught it would be impossible to defeat their opponents and kill the Mizukage. Truth be told, it was probably quite silly to send Kisame in his stead -what with Hyuga, Uchiha, and Haruno eyes more than likely guarding every entrance and exit. But he had had no choice, literally have no other ninja at his disposal.
"Your orders?" Madara's thoughts were interrupted by Itachi's words.
"...The roads will be heavily guarded tonight. Lay low and escape tomorrow when you see an opening."
"Hn"
And the hologram of Itachi was gone.
'Tch' he thought angrily, standing up and walking away. It truly was unfortunate that Sasori had been defeated and Deidara lacked an arm -his team would have been best for this sort of altercation, after all.
"Okaa-san, where are the bathrooms?"
Mikoto looked down to her youngest child, pausing from the conversation she had been engaging in with Hiroto. "I believe they're outside of the reception room." Mikoto pondered this. "Do you want me to go with you?"
Saki shook her head as she stood up. "I'll find it by myself, don't worry." And so Saki walked away, despite her mother's reluctance. She was a big girl, after all. She was a Genin, even at the age of eleven, and she was responsible and not to mention smart enough, to find the bathroom by herself.
Mikoto made a motion to stand, as she spoke. "Gomen, Hiroto, I should accompany her."
"Mikoto, stop being a worry-wart." Hiroto teased, seeing Mikoto's apprehension in letting her baby girl go alone. "There's Konoha nin at every corner. Relax. I swear you coddle her too much."
Mikoto sighed, defeated, as she sat back down. "Can you blame me Hiroto?" You honestly -it was a mother's job to fret and worry over her children, after all. In addition, this was Saki, a child who, under normal circumstances, never would have existed, and it's thanks to Sakura that she was here. Although she was not one to show it, it had been stressful and near exhausting protecting this child, one wanted dead by Danzo and at threat from other nations, including the mysterious masked-man Sakura had fought during the massacre. Nevertheless, Hiroto was right. There were Leaf Shinobi at practically every corner of this place -and all were very much aware of Mikoto, and especially Saki's, presence. She would be perfectly fine -besides, Mikoto reasoned, it was just a quick run to the bathroom. She'd be back in no time at all.
'Let's see... it was down this hall...' Saki, upon emerging from the bathroom stalls, began to retrace her steps back towards the ballroom. Truth be told, she had grown somewhat bored. She was one in a handful of children her age here, and anyone her Okaa-san or Hiroto had tried to introduce her to she had come to find were nothing but stuck up, entitled brats. They made her miss her teammates, as odd as that statement may seem.
And to top matters off, she hadn't even come across her Sakura-oneesama yet! Even Sasuke-nii or Naruto-nii hadn't arrived yet, and she was starting to wonder if she would even be able to spend time with them.
At least, Saki thought, she was able to come and experience a masquerade party. She had never seen such elegant dresses and intricate masks in her life, and there was something so exciting about having a hidden identity; about knowing that no one knew who you were.
As this thought struck her, suddenly a low grumble emerged from her stomach, one that had Saki blushing in embarrassment, her eyes darting around frantically to make sure no one had heard her. She had almost forgotten about eating, what with the hustle and bustle of getting ready and then travelling here. So, with that thought in mind, Saki's eyes landed on what could be called a buffet table of assorted goodies, her mouth watering at the thought of trying some of its delicacies.
She approached the table, quickly grabbing a plate and beginning to stuff it with all sorts of goodies.
And then she saw it. The mother load.
'C-Chocolate F-Fountain...' Her eyes went wide as she approached it, its luscious, luscious milk chocolate pouring off of it in sweet, aroma-filled ravines that had her mouth watering more than before. Her eyes filled with determination. She would have some, or her name wasn't Saki Uchiha.
Yet, as she went to reach it, to dip some strawberries in it, she came upon a problem.
She was too short.
Even on her tippy toes, her hands could barely graze the sides of the fountain that held the chocolate.
No. This wasn't fair.
Saki frantically looked around for anyone she knew, perhaps Hiroto or Marika to aid her in her quest for chocolate, but she found none, a small pout appearing on her features. Suddenly, the strawberry that had been in her hands was plucked right from them, a taller male picking it up and doing what she had not been able to.
"That seems rather inconvenient for you, doesn't it?" The man seemed to have a kind smile, his eyes glowing warmly from what she could tell.
Saki grinned. "A-Arigatou..." she bowed humbly as the man dropped the now chocolate-drenched strawberry onto her plate.
The man smiled in response. "Would you like some more?"
Saki blushed slightly. "I-If it's not too much to ask for... onegai..."
"Consider it done, Saki-san."
Saki widened her eyes. "H-How..."
"Name tags." as he said this, he pointed to his own, his statement blunt but not rude or condescending.
"Oh... Of course!" Saki mentally slapped herself, her eyes dropping from the stranger's face to his elegant tux, searching for his own name tag. "Hiroto-san..." she paused at the name. "I have an uncle with that very same name!" She grinned, somehow feeling that this man was no longer so much of a stranger just from that mere fact.
"How unlikely." he mused to himself.
Saki nodded in response fervently. "He's actually my sensei too! He's tall and has dark hair like you, but he's kind of a goof. You seem... gentler." Saki couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about this man seemed very... put together. Very calm, almost as if no one and nothing could ever trump him. His demeanor seemed kind, a warm, fuzzy feeling filling Saki's tummy. Why, it felt like she hadn't met someone this pleasant in ages. And truth be told, it was weird how comfortable she felt around the man. And why did it almost feel like she had even met him before? She knew there was no way she'd ever forget a man like that if she had ever crossed paths with him, but the longer she stared into his dark onyx pools, the more she felt she had seen them before.
"Oh?" Hiroto raised an eyebrow. "And is he a good sensei?"
"Better than good." Saki beamed. "Plus, it doesn't hurt that Naruto-nii, Sasuke-nii, and Sakura-neesama always train me on the side too." She added with a little thought.
'Sakura-neesama' He thought, almost amused if he were capable of the emotion. "Sakura-neesama?" he seemed intrigued by her name.
Saki nodded fervently. "She's sooooo strong, and smart and kind and funny, and very very pretty too." Saki exclaimed. "She's not really my sister, but I wish she were."
Hiroto smiled. "She sounds like a wonderful person."
"She is. You should meet her." Saki exclaimed.
"I would love to, but it seems for now that my companions are waiting for me. If you will excuse me; it has been a pleasure, Saki-san."
And so he gave her head a small pat and gave her a smile, one which sent a flush to Saki's cheeks, and moments later he was gone, eaten by the crowds.
There was an odd sort of beeping when Sakura finally came to. It took her a while to remember what had happened, but if there was one thing she was sure of, it was that Kisame had managed to get away. 'I'm glad...' She thought to herself, as she thought back to her last interaction with Kisame. 'My debt to him is repaid, at least.' She opened her eyes slowly, squinting as they accustomed to the bright light of the hospital room she currently resided in. After a few more seconds of thought, she was finally able to feel the slight, throbbing pain at the back of her head, and couldn't help the groan that escaped her lips.
She seemed to have attracted attention, and she turned to look at her bedside, where she could clearly identify Hiroto and Kakashi, both sitting, slightly slouching on chairs, one with a magazine and the other with an Icha Icha Paradise novel (one did not have to be a genius to know who was reading what).
"Glad to see you're conscious, Sakura." Kakashi hummed out, momentarily pausing and slapping his book shut to look at Sakura.
"Hai..." she grumbled slightly. "Is anyone suspicious?" Sakura ignored him, using her strengths to sit up slightly. It took some effort, and even though her body ached and her limbs protested sourly, she allowed herself to stretch and get the blood in her body pumping.
"Well, I don't think suspicious is the right word..." Kakashi hummed out, as if pondering Sakura's statement.
"Tsunade is livid." Hiroto emphasized. "Seems you can't fool her."
"Luckily for you, Sayuri was appointed the head investigator in the occurrence. Something about some malfunctioning chakra limitors, or the like, is the story we've gone with so far." Kakashi stated.
Sakura sighed in relief -she could have probably made it a bit more believable, she was sure, but she needed to make sure Kisame had enough time to break free and escape. "I suppose I should have told Tsunade beforehand."
"She probably wouldn't have agreed regardless even if you had." Hiroto shrugged.
"Probably not. But I should have done it anyway." Sakura acknowledged. "On the plus side, I think I made the right choice."
Hiroto raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?" He was genuinely interested to know Sakura's thought process -yes, he knew that Kisame had saved her in the past, but... well, simply put, the past was the past. Not to mention, Kisame hadn't even known it was her to begin with! Acting so recklessly could have gotten Sakura killed.
"Well, for one, he didn't kill me, which I would take as a good sign." Sakura chuckled ironically, knowing that she had said something similar to this when she had brought up her confrontation with Itachi just weeks prior.
Suddenly Kakashi, who had just begun to open up his book to read it again, stopped and put it down altogether. "He recognized you, then?"
"Iee. I heavily insinuated I was the kunoichi he saved in the past. He seemed like he didn't believe me, but he had to have some gut feeling that it really was me if he didn't kill me after all."
"Or maybe he was simply giving you the courtesy, seeing as you set him free and all." Hiroto shrugged.
"Yes, but when have missing-nin been known for being merciful and kind?" Sakura raised an eyebrow.
Hiroto opened his mouth to speak, but could think of nothing as he pondered Sakura's words, so he shut them shortly afterwards. "So he must have believed you then. He's either very gullible or he has reason to believe you were telling the truth." Kakashi muttered.
"Well it's not like I should know about what happened in the past. Plus, regardless of the current age difference between myself and what my past-self should be now, our similarities are quite uncanny."
This, even Kakashi could not deny. Knowing both the past Sakura and the one now, he knew they looked identical and as such making that connection wouldn't be too unbelievable. "Well, never mind that." Kakashi mumbled. "At the end of the day, that can't be changed. Tsunade is expecting you when you're healthy."
Sakura could have groaned. "Wish me luck."
Hiroto let out a chuckle. "You dug your own grave Sakura-hime."
"I know, I know." She spoke as she swung her legs off the bed. "That doesn't mean it doesn't suck nonetheless."
It nearly seemed to Sakura that the tension lay thick between her and her mentor. She had been waiting patiently for her shishou to speak, to reprimand her for her carelessness and for not confiding in her beforehand, but it never came. Perhaps she was waiting for Sakura to start...? "A-Anno..."
Yet, Tsunade lifted her hand, halting Sakura from saying anything more.
And so Sakura waited, and waited, and waited some more, until it finally seemed that Tsunade was ready to speak to her.
"You know what you did was absolutely reckless, right?"
"Hai."
"Are you aware of the repercussions to your actions?"
"I know full well what I have done, Tsunade-shishou." Sakura confirmed with a nod.
"If Hoshigaki Kisame tells Akatsuki that you are the heir, there's no telling who'll come after you next."
"He won't tell." Sakura's fiery gaze did not waver as she stated this matter-of-factly.
"And how can you be so sure?"
"Because..." Sakura paused, chewing over her words. "Because he could have killed me, shishou. He could have killed me and fled, killed everyone who went after him, but he didn't. In addition, Itachi trusts him. It's enough for me to trust him too..."
Tsunade sighed, shaking her head in dismay. "You're making friends with the enemy, Sakura." Her tone was forewarning of the trouble that they may find themselves in were she ever to be reluctant about killing an Akatsuki member.
"Maybe that's the ultimate way of ending this war, Tsunade-shishou." Sakura stated matter-of-factly. "If they can destroy themselves from the inside out, that leaves us with fewer casualties in the long run."
Tsunade, who was about to speak, pursed her lips shut. Maybe Sakura had a point here. Yes, they had Itachi, and the other Haruno -what had her name been? And if they could include Kisame? That was nearly half of Akatsuki already! "Do you really think that is a feasible feat to strive for?" Tsunade questioned after much deliberation.
"I think the possibility is looking brighter, with the way things have developed now." Sakura admitted truthfully. She didn't know Akatsuki's main goal, but if Konan was the kind of person Sakura had perceived her to be, there was no way she could stand back and let things continue to unfold.
"I'm going to put my trust in you Sakura. Given, I don't have much of a choice now that Hoshigaki has already escaped. Now, if you will excuse me, I have an appointment with the Old Bags. Kami knows how long I'll have to sit there and hear them complain about how terrible I am at running a village and that now it's my fault a highly wanted S-Class criminal is once again on the loose." Tsunade could sigh in misery.
"Gomen, shishou..." Sakura bowed apologetically as her shishou stood to leave.
Tsunade sighed, staring at her student. "I can never stay mad at you for too long," she approached Sakura, putting an arm on her shoulder. "I'm just glad that you're safe. Please, at least tell me next time before you have me in a panic." Sakura looked up just then, staring at her mentor who was looking down at her with relieved, but tired eyes.
"Hai. I promise."
"Good." Tsunade seemed very relieved by her words -how could she not be, though? Sakura was like the daughter she had never had the opportunity of having, more so in this timeline than any other. "As a punishment, I expect you to be there for when Mei departs later on today."
"Consider it done Shishou." Sakura smiled warmly at her mentor.
She smiled back, before standing up. "Alright, I best be going, lest they add tardiness to their list of complaints." Sakura chuckled, but said nothing more as she walked out with her mentor.
"It truly is a shame that Kisame got away -nevertheless, I am glad to hear that you did not sustain any critical injuries, Haruno-san." Mei spoke with some sort of pity in her tone, but her smile was still as vibrant and Naruto-esque as ever.
"I thank you for your kind words. Nevertheless, the repercussions of my actions way down on me. There is once again a dangerous enemy on the loose."
"It can't be helped." Mei tried to cheer up Sakura, although she truly wasn't upset at all. "It wasn't your fault that the chakra restraints were malfunctioning; that being said, you're quite lucky to be alive."
"I guess that's a good way to look at it." Sakura sighed once more, knowing just by glancing at Tsunade, standing alongside her, that she was almost getting irritated by how everyone had sort of kissed Sakura's ass after the incident, while she had taken the fault for either Sakura's misconduct, or the supposed faulty equipment that had been used to detain Kisame. It nearly made Sakura want to snicker, truth be told.
"Alright, I guess we'll be off. Hopefully, it won't be too long before we all meet once more." Mei smiled.
"I second the notion." It was Utakata who spoke, although his hidden meaning and specific stare at Sakura was caught by none but her.
Mei seemed relieved by this statement -if they had Utakata's support and encouragement, perhaps it wouldn't be too hard to rally her people behind her too. And so, with one last goodbye, Tsunade, along with half of the Haruno Clan, namely Marika, Himawari, and Sakura, as well as Naruto and Team Gai, were left waving as Mei and her entourage departed. "Well this has been one hell of a week." Himawari whistled.
"I can't say I'm not glad they are leaving." Sakura was honest -Utakata gave her the creeps, and being under such scrutiny and apologizing glances was driving her crazy.
Tsunade laughed at this. "They'll be back soon enough to finalize our treaty, Sakura. Don't get too comfortable just yet." Sakura frowned and let out an exaggerated sigh, but said nothing more, as the group turned around and began walking away, Mei's group finally out of eye-sight.
"Itachi. Tell me." Kisame's eyes could have narrowed in irritation were it not Itachi he was dealing with.
"There is nothing to tell." Itachi glanced briefly at his blue companion, before averting his gaze elsewhere.
"You can't possibly expect me to believe that after everything that's happened these past few days." They were walking, idly making their way through the thick forested expanse around them, on their way towards the Akatsuki base. Kisame didn't care how paranoid Itachi was -he had checked and double checked and triple checked and even quadruple checked their surroundings. There was no way it wasn't safe to talk. No way Itachi couldn't spare a few moments to explain everything to Kisame. This was now Itachi avoiding the topic. "She saved my life Itachi. Me." he emphasized. Because no one, other than Itachi, had ever done that for him -no one had ever cared about him enough to go to such great lengths to betray their nation just to save him. "Furthermore, it's clear as day that you've been meeting with her -I know the other day wasn't your first and most definitely won't be your last."
But Itachi either didn't want to respond, or genuinely didn't know how to.
Because, truth be told, involving Kisame had never been part of the plan. He cared about his companion; he was the only friend he had had for the past eleven years of his life. As such, it was not fair to drag Kisame down with him. He had chosen his path, and he could not force this upon Kisame.
"Tell me something Itachi." It was a demand by now. So much so in fact, that he stopped walking all together. He would get his answers. Now.
What is your agenda?
Itachi walked a few steps further before he too slowed and turned around. "I do not want my actions to influence your own."
"Is it not clear enough what path I have chosen?" The tension lay thick, Kisame looking down at the floor, clearly troubled. "You know perfectly well that I set myself up for failure. You know what path I chose. It is only fair you tell me yours."
"Is it not clear enough as is?"
Kisame's eyes widened as he returned his stare back to Itachi. So it was true. "You're a double agent."
Yet, Itachi shook his head. "I have no communication with Konoha figures. I act independently."
"Then why?" Kisame didn't even know what he was asking anymore. Why was Itachi betraying the Akatsuki cause? If Itachi still felt loyal to Konoha deep down inside, why had he even defected to begin with? Moreover, why had his behavior only begun changing once the Haruno had reappeared into their lives?
"I cannot answer that." Itachi looked away.
Kisame balled his hands into fists. What was he to do now? What would they do now? He was a ninja with no home -a shinobi with no path. "...What are we doing here?" His question, although seemingly random, brought him heartache. He had thought he was fighting for a better future for all the lands when he joined Akatsuki. But he turned his back on this goal of his in a heartbeat, turned his back on the ambitions he had been set on for the past eleven years in the blink of an eye. And why? For what greater reason? For Konoha and Kiri to be on friendly terms?
"I am protecting what I cherish most."
Kisame's eyes widened. Could that... could that perhaps be what he had been trying to do all along? It was clear to him now that he still cared for Kiri -his entire dream had been to end political corruption and bring truth and prosperity to a nation he had loved greatly in his younger years. Had he been going about this the wrong way? Had he been blinded by the path Madara had carved for him? But did this run deeper than that? The Haruno -even before he had known her to be the same one he had met years ago, he had felt the strong impulse to protect her. And why? It had been but a short time he had known her; why had he cared enough to even save her to begin with? When had he been known as compassionate and merciful?
Then again, he supposed the same exact thing could be said about Itachi, and as brutal and ruthless as people always painted him to be, Kisame had grown to see a much different story. He had learned so much more about his partner, a much more complex and compassionate and caring being than he would have first expected.
His being here, his having waited patiently for him was a testament of that. He had not left Kisame alone in his time of need.
And neither had the Haruno.
'What is it that I cherish most?'
Konan didn't know what to make of this. One minute she was walking down the hallway of the Akatsuki base, and the next second she was clearly caught up in a genjutsu, one she would never have noticed had the caster not changed the scenery, and there was only one person who could create such masterful genjutsus with ease.
"What is it now?" She was neither friendly nor distant, meant to inform Itachi that she was neither distrustful nor openly willing to listen to his every word. After all, just because he had given her good advice once didn't mean they were suddenly best friends. "I'm on my way to repairing Deidara's arm, don't take up too much of my time, lest someone notices."
Itachi did not reveal himself fully, although his voice rang from all corners of the genjutsu. "I bring word from Sakura."
Just these words were enough to have her heart pounding the slightest bit harder. "Is something wrong?" She was quick to ask.
"There will be a letter addressed to you in the same place we last spoke." Was all Itachi bothered to stay. He was about to dispel the genjutsu, but suddenly Konan spoke.
"Why are you helping me?"
"All is not as it seems. There is more to Madara's story than meets the eye." And then the genjutsu was dispelled and Konan once again found herself alone in the hallway of the Akatsuki base.
What had Itachi meant?
Konan swore this Uchiha was too secretive. It had been one sentence, and one sentence only, something that he could have easily told her when he had captured her in his first henge; but no, this man had devised a ploy. Hiding within a book, the very same book she had had open when she had seen Itachi last, a small letter tucked neatly within its confines, in between the very same pages she had been reading -how had he even remembered that? You know what, she didn't even care to know, she decided. Yet, it didn't end here. Upon touching said letter, she was hurled into another henge, one which neither sent her in a panic nor made her feel threatened, for, the more she thought about it, the more she realized this was so typical of the Uchiha.
Then again, it was better to be extremely precarious than not, Konan decided, especially upon the thought that this involved her clan, her very own heir, enemy of her organization, and enemy of her true leader.
The henge unfolded, another all-white setting as an Itachi clone emerged from the floor, casting a shadow over it. Konan did not speak, only waited patiently for the clone to completely form in front of her. Once it did, it got straight to the point. "Sakura came to me during our mission." He began frankly, letting the information sink in. There was a slight pause, and then he continued. "She wishes to meet with you. There are things she would like to discuss."
Things, Konan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. What sort of things?
Frankly, she didn't know what to make of this, added on to Itachi's previous statement.
There is more to Madara's story than meets the eye
Konan's eyes narrowed angrily, the henge suddenly dispelled and in her hand nothing but a blank piece of paper. She crumpled it up, and it no sooner caught on fire, burning everything in sight. She knew Madara couldn't be trusted -she had told Nagato the very same many a times. But now she had confirmation -Itachi himself had told her. Not that he was her biggest ally, but they did have one common goal.
To protect her clan. To protect Sakura.
Konan began walking away, exiting the study room and disappearing moments later.
What was Madara's agenda? Did Itachi know?
Nevertheless, she had a feeling that whatever it was, it meant great danger for Nagato, a thought that bubbled rage inside of her. She had to speak with him. She needed to know what was going on. But first and foremost, her heir wished to ask her some questions; truth be told, she wanted to ask questions too.
What to do, what to do...?
"Kisame-senpai! You're alive!" Nearly as soon as Kisame had entered the entrance of the make-shift kitchen and living room, he had been jumped on by his self-proclaimed kohai, a man (more like boy, Kisame couldn't help but scoff) with a swirly orange mask. "Itachi-senpai had informed Leader-sama that you had gotten captured! I was almost positive I would never have seen you again!" Tobi seemed devastated, clinging on to his senpai even as Kisame desperately tried to pry him off.
"Pipe down, will you? It's been a rough journey."
Tobi seemed instantly regretful, jumping off of the nin and bowing repeatedly, a form of apologizing. "I just missed Kisame-senpai so much! How did you manage to escape? Surely you did some super cool surprise attack, right? You got caught on purpose, right? Or did Itachi-senpai help you escape? It was that, wasn't it? You guys came in together, right? That means you guys must have left the Fire Nation together, right? Right? Right, right?!"
Kisame bypassed the nin as he made his way to the kitchen, sighing in dismay once he realized that Tobi would not give up until he gave the boy an answer. He was like a boy who had just snorted sugar laced with crack, he swore. As such, he shrugged, almost casually. "They messed up, is all. I saw an opportunity so I took it."
"They messed up? So you mean to tell me Itachi-senpai didn't help you escape?" Tobi repeated in incredulous question.
"Hai Tobi. We met up by pure coincidence." He swore he was talking to a child.
"But I heard Konoha-nin were really strong right now and stuff. How did you manage to escape?"
Once again, Kisame shrugged his shoulders, attempting to bypass the nin once more, after obtaining a glass of water. "I don't know Tobi. It could have been a fluke for all I know. But I reckon they're not all that strong if I managed to get out alive, right?"
"Zugoi. Kisame-senpai is so cool! I have to go tell Deidara-senpai!" And in the blink of an eye he was gone, off to find Deidara, wherever in the hell he might be, Kisame couldn't help but think. But whatever -he didn't particularly care; he was just glad to get the obnoxious nin off from under his skin. He had had a long past couple of days, and he wanted nothing more than to relax, lay down, and give himself time to think over the events of the recent past, and above all else what to make of this new-found information.
Itachi was a fraud
A kunoichi he had long-since thought dead was actually alive all along
And she traveled to the past, apparently
And she had saved his life
He swore that if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, and had it been anyone other than Itachi that had told him this, he would have never believed it. It was too bizarre to believe, after all.
And suddenly, a thought struck him.
The kunoichi had known what he would eventually become, knew that he would be in an organization after her best friend's head, and had still let him live. He had been injured, caught off guard, and vulnerable, and she had healed him and protected him and let him go.
She was either a genius or the biggest fool he had ever met. What had her agenda been? Perhaps to use him as leverage in the future? No, she didn't seem like that kind of person. And to begin with, the only person that had gained anything from their relationship had been him -she said that he owed him one, but truth be told, it was him he owed her now.
With a sigh, he tossed himself on his bed, finally entering his bedroom, and placed a pillow over his head. This was all just a headache -he understood now why Itachi had been trying to keep him out of this.
"Pein"
If he heard her, he didn't make any indication of it, but Konan knew better -nothing got past him. He was at the highest peak of his city, his feet precariously swaying off the cliff of the mountain, staring at the never-ending rain, his eyes boring into the vast expanse before him. It was the one place that set Pein's mind at ease, staring out at his nation -his people, and Konan knew she would find him here, especially because of recent events. It was clear as day to her that Pein must have sensed that something was amiss too.
"I ask for some time of leave."
Pein did not respond immediately, waiting several moments before he slowly turned his head towards her and acknowledged her. There was only ever one reason for her to ask for a time of leave -in fact, it had only ever happened once or twice before hand, many many years ago. Pein was no fool to know that Konan's family was on the other side of the war, but he wouldn't bat an eyelash at questioning her loyalty to him. She was family, after all.
Yet, it did concern him that the climax of this war was approaching, much sooner than he had expected it to, and he knew eventually this would put Konan at a crossroad. He knew the day would come, but had never allowed his mind to linger on it for too long.
But they were running out of time, truth be told, and it wasn't something that could be put off much longer.
"Go". It sounded like a demand but Konan knew better.
And even though no more words were spoken and Konan promptly turned around and left, Pein watched her retreating figure with hidden turmoil burning his insides, almost as if this would be the last time he would see her -because it could possibly be that way.
He was asking her to choose him over her family -asking to choose a life of crime over one of peace and tranquility. And if she chose the latter, chances were he would never see her again as an ally to his cause. He was selfish for asking this, he knew -but without Konan he was a man with an empty purpose. Sure he was doing this for his people, but more than anything, he was doing this for Konan, to see her smile and no longer having to worry over a nation she had grown to love.
Ironically, she was doing this for him too.
Because it had been too long, and she had grown to care for this man too much to back down now. They were in this together -they always had been.
It had been about two days since Mei's departure, and things had more or less gone back to normal. For the first time in what felt like years, Sakura had clocked in to work at the hospital -now that she thought about it, she hadn't even gotten one day of work since her arrival at this timeline. Then again, if you ask Sakura, this wasn't entirely a bad thing; this proved that she had been too busy. She had made changes to this timeline, and was busy because of them.
And it was on this day, particularly on her lunch break, that Sakura so happened to be approached by a little slug, no doubt a summon from Tsunade. "Sakura-sama, Tsunade-sama wishes to see you in her office for a mission description."
Although not entirely surprised, Sakura couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Was this perhaps about Kumo? It would make sense -they were already allied to Suna, and Kiri was well on its way, so the next feasible option would be Kumo, in order to once and for all unite all the Jinchuuriki under one. "Right now, or after my shift is over?"
"Tsunade-sama has already made arrangements to have your shifts covered." The little slug explained.
Sakura couldn't help but notice the plural ending in the word -an extended mission. "I'll be right over."
With one last thank you and a bow, the slug disappeared in a puff of smoke. Sakura waited a minute or so, indulging in this silence, before she finished her sandwich and clocked out of work.
Truth be told, Tsunade had told her to not even bother with work for now and to just rest, but Sakura had to do something -she needed to be kept busy, or the events of the previous week would drive her mad. No, not the events pertaining to Kisame, but the events pertaining to Itachi.
He had danced with her.
He had held her in his arms, intimately so, one hand on her waist and the other engulfing her smaller hand. If she thought hard enough the very parts he had made contact with felt like they were on fire, truth be told.
Did this mean anything to him? He had been so calm -so collected it could almost be irritating, the way he could just steal her from someone as if it was his right, and not reveal anything to her about him or his feelings. Then again, it wasn't like he had ever been keen on doing that anyway, even in the past.
As she thought, her feet carried her to her destination, and it wasn't until she spotted long, luscious hair and ivory orbs that she was finally snapped out of her thoughts. "Neji-san?"
Neji turned his head, having not noticed Sakura until she had spoken (she was rather short, after all). He looked at her and nodded, a sort of greeting to acknowledge her presence. "Are you here to see Tsunade-sama?" he questioned.
"Hai." Sakura nodded, her head shifting to her left in confusion -missions with Neji were few and far in between. In fact, from what she knew, Sakura herself was usually only ever accompanied by her former Team 7, Kakashi being the only one aware of her status as Haruno Clan heir, and her boys already extremely protective of her. And that was the sole reason -for her protection. Besides, who's going to notice a pink-haired girl when standing before one of the last remaining Uchiha, the 9-Tailed-Beast for crying out loud, and the highly esteemed Copy Cat Nin? No one, that's who.
Sakura was snapped out of her thoughts when suddenly someone else called her name.
"Sakura" And she turned to look, only to be met with a familiar face.
"Sasuke-kun." she greeted with a smile, waiting until the male figure approached her and Neji. "No Naruto?" she raised an eyebrow.
Sasuke simply shook his head. "I was with him when I was called in. Tsunade has strict orders to keep him in Konoha for the time being."
"Understandable, considering Akatsuki's attack last week." Neji responded briefly.
"He's not going to be happy about this." Sakura frowned distastefully. Not only was he confined to Konoha, but his two teammates were being sent off to a mission without him.
"He'll live." Sasuke couldn't help but roll his eyes.
And just as he said this, the door to Tsunade's office opened, Shizune appearing with TonTon in her hands. "Tsunade will see you three now."
The three shinobi looked at each other one last time, almost as if asking Do you have any clue what this could be about? before they went in.
"Before you ask, no, this isn't about Kumo."
It was the first thing Tsunade had stated, catching Sakura off. "What?" It only made sense. Two treaties were already successful -it was best to complete their treaties before Akatsuki struck again.
"As you two are aware," she directed her attention to Sasuke and Sakura, "part of the treaty with Suna included a medical exchange program." she began.
Sakura visibly slumped in disappointment. "Shishou, that's beginner work." she frowned.
"Nevertheless, I want you there." Tsunade shook her head, and then directed her attention to Neji and Sasuke. "In addition, we promised to help boost relations by combat exercises and the like. This is where you two come in."
"No offense Tsunade-sama, but Sakura kind of has a point. This sounds like busy work." Sasuke stated.
"It may be tedious, but it does not make it busy work. It is crucial we show our best to Suna, not so much for their Kazekage, but for their Elders. We promised them lavish treatment and the best of the best -who more than our future Head Medic, our very own Uchiha heir, and one of the Hyuga's most elite members?"
"And why not Shizune? Why not Hiashi or Shikaku?" Sakura frowned. "You should put us where we are needed most, Tsunade-shishou. We have yet to make contact with Kumo, Kami knows how long it'll be before Akatsuki strike there too."
In response, Tsunade merely shook her head. "Shizune is currently busy with other things I have tasked upon her and it would be rude of me to demand anything of the Clan leaders without at least a month's worth of notice -you all know how Hiashi can be, no offense to you Neji. In addition, we have two treaties underway as it is. We do not want to spread ourselves too thin." She began. "In addition, relations with Kumo aren't strained -if anything, we're already on well enough terms. An alliance with them will not be difficult -the same could not be said for the latter."
Sakura opened her mouth to protest, but could find nothing to counter Tsunade's logic -it made sense, after all.
"How long will the duration of this mission be?" It was Neji who spoke.
"It'll be a two week mission. I am making this a rotational project. You will all leave once Shizune, Shikamaru, and Shino take your places respectively. But do not misunderstand -this is not a solo mission. You must all work together to make sure no program falls behind. Within the day of your arrival, you will be approached by Suna nin and be given a list of names -people who will be participating in the given programs on Suna's behalf. The following day, a wave of Konoha nin will arrive," and as she said this, she tossed each of them a file, "who will also be participating. You will do somewhat of a switch. Although the point of this exercise is to learn to work together and boost relations, the majority of your students will be Suna, and vice versa. Included in these files I just handed you are curriculum Gaara and I have established we want taught. It is the itinerary for the courses, essentially. Follow this timeline to the best of your abilities, but do note that it is a very rough sketch and we don't exactly know how much time it'll take to teach what. You guys are the rough draft, being the first batch of students and captains being sent respectively. That is why I specifically chose you three, as I am sure you are all aware that you are potential candidates for a future Hokage-ship. Think of this as a test of sorts."
Silence filled the room as their mission objective sunk in, nevermind the whole "Hokage-ship" thing. That had been established long ago. Although Tsunade didn't look it, she was getting old, and could hardly care for being Hokage for another twenty years -she just wanted to gamble her life away. As such, she had taken on a lot of six potential candidates to follow in her stead -Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, Neji, Marika, and Shikamaru. Of course, only two of the bunch actually cared for the position; still, it was important to learn nonetheless, in case things took a turn for the worst. "Are there any more questions?" Upon hearing nothing, Tsunade nodded her head. "Good. You guys leave today. I'm assigning Neji as leader. You guys are excused."
All three of them exited the office, meeting briefly outside of the Hokage's building to establish a time and place to meet. "Let's meet by nighttime at the front gates. If we make good time we'll make it in two days in the morning if we work through a majority of the night."
Although Sakura wanted to grimace, she nodded and said nothing more -it had been so long since she had gone on missions with Neji that she had forgotten that he could be a slave driver without even knowing it. Then again, it couldn't be too bad -missions with Itachi had probably been worse.
They bid their goodbyes, Neji walking away, and Sakura and Sasuke were left to walk home together in relative ease. "I can't believe we're going back after having just left from there." Sakura sighed.
Sasuke peered at her for a few seconds, before focusing his attention back on the road. "Although I don't particularly like it, Tsunade's logic is sound."
"I know." she frowned. "I just... I feel like we should be doing something else, you know? I come back from the past with loads of knowledge, you'd think we'd use this to our advantage to get shit done before Akatsuki can see it coming." Sakura sighed bitterly.
Sasuke put a comforting hand on Sakura's shoulder. "You've done a wonderful job as things stand now, Sakura. Take this as a vacation of sorts. You need it."
And although it was true, Sakura didn't want to accept it. Things weren't nearly the way she wanted them to be. Then again, she probably had unrealistic expectations, and she was biased anyway. "I appreciate your words, Sasuke-kun."
No more words were spoken between the two until they reached the Haruno Compound. Mikoto greeted them with her kind smile as always, and after words were exchanged and their mission explained to Mikoto, they both dismissed themselves into their respective rooms to pack and rest up for the mission later on that day.
Upon entering her room, Sakura immediately tossed herself on her bed -never mind the mission, she was glad she now officially had time off work. It had been an unusually exhausting day, but she didn't know if this was because she hadn't been there in so long, or because there genuinely seemed to be more patients than she last remembered there to be.
'Is this really for the best?' Her thoughts were disrupted by a sudden blue glow coming from her nightstand. 'Matsuro-sama?' Sakura crawled to her night table and pulled out the ancient scroll. She hadn't spoken to her Fate God since her capture by Orochimaru, if she remembered correctly. She opened up the scroll and almost immediately she was taken to a familiar all white scene, Matsuro appearing before her relatively quickly.
My child, she greeted with a smile. I am glad to see you are safe
Sakura smiled. "Matsuro-sama. It's good to see you again."
Matsuro approached Sakura and sat down beside her. I feel you are worried about this mission.
Sakura nodded. "I feel we should be trying to form more alliances. She should be sending me to Kumo, not Suna." Sakura explained.
There was silence, almost as if Matsuro was trying her best to formulate words. I believe this to be the best course of action for you, my dear.
"But why?" Sakura asked.
You should lay low for a while, Sakura. You are still the heir, after all. Orochimaru has identified you as such, and so has Mei. If we are not careful, your secret will be revealed much too early. We should keep you away from the spotlight for a while. Travelling to Suna will be good for you.
Sakura didn't understand it. Why did it even matter if people knew she was the heir now? She was 18 -old enough to fend for herself. She was no longer a Genin -if that were the case things would be different. But she was strong -she could hold her own against Akatsuki, so what was the big deal?
Almost as if reading her thoughts, Matsuro answered. Sakura, my child. There are certain things you have yet to realize. They'll be explained to you in time. But for now, trust in Tsunade.
"I know..." Regardless, it wasn't like she had a say in this anyway. She owed this much to Tsunade -and then some, if she were honest.
In other news, there is someone approaching. Kaede.
"Kaede?" Sakura's eyes widened. "Is she here?"
Not yet. Soon. She'll arrive by nightfall. You asked for her, did you not?
Sakura nodded in response -Itachi really had passed on her message. Kami, it was hard to understand that man. He says not to trust him but then he turns around and does this. "Arigatou Matsuro-sama."
But onto more pressing matters, Kaede was coming -or as she knew her to be, Konan.
She knew she had specifically wanted to speak to Konan, sought her out even, but now that the opportunity was actually presented upon her...
What exactly would she say?
By the time Konan had arrived in Konoha, the sun was setting, just about gone over the Hokage monuments.
She hadn't been here in about eleven years, she reckoned. She didn't know where exactly to look for her heir, but she imagined the Haruno Compound was her safest bet. Sneaking into the village was fairly easy, and after five minutes of travelling she found herself at the main household -a place she had lived in for a very short duration.
With her chakra still well hidden, she approached the compound -she could feel chakra signatures, and none of them did she want to alert, after all. She noticed that the back yard that slowly turned into a forest was filled with cherry blossoms -the perfect spot for her to remain hidden. And so she made her way there, going deep into the cherry blossom tree'd expanse until she came upon a rather large one. She placed a palm there, closing her eyes, and allowed a pulse of chakra to be sent directly into the tree.
Sakura would no doubt know it was her.
It didn't take long -by the time Sakura had arrived, the sun had all but gone, and she was leaning casually at the base of the tree.
"Konan" she greeted.
"Sakura-sama." Konan gave a bow, as was respectful. "I received word that you wished to see me..." she trailed off.
Sakura nodded. "Did Itachi relay that message to you?" she asked.
"Hai" she gave a curt nod, not entirely sure why it was Sakura was asking that of all things.
Sakura approached Konan, a smile on her face. "It's nice to see you are doing well. I never got to properly thank you for releasing me from Orochimaru."
"If this is why you called me, there is no need to thank me Sakura-sama. I simply did what I had to do." Konan shook her head fervently.
Sakura's smile wavered slightly. "I wish that was all I had to discuss with you..." It was silent, Konan simply staring at Sakura while she searched for a way to say this, turning to face away from Konan as she pondered her words. "Do you remember what I told you the very first time I met you, eleven years ago?"
Konan swallowed the lump in her throat. "You told me to choose between Nagato and Yahiko, and you." Konan had never forgotten.
"Is your answer still the same?" It was silent in the small clearing, Sakura finally turning around to face Konan. "You know why I ask. War is looming just over the horizon, Konan. And although I trust you fully I can't help but question Akatsuki's true motives. This doesn't sound like the peace you and Nagato envisioned."
Yet, Konan remained silent, not exactly knowing what to say. At this, Sakura came closer, gripping Konan's hands into her own. "Please Konan, help me understand. If peace is what you are really seeking, why are you trying to prevent us from unifying under one peacefully? Tensions in Suna have all bone dissipated -we're even making great efforts to erase the bad blood between Konoha and Kirigakure. So why...? Why destroy everything we are trying to accomplish?"
It was then that Konan finally looked up at Sakura, her eyes expressing an inner turmoil Sakura would have never expected. "I sincerely don't know anymore, Sakura-sama..."
"All Nagato and I have ever wanted was a more prosperous future for Amegakure, and eventually all of the Shinobi Lands." She began bitterly. "Somewhere along the line, we lost sight not of our purpose, but of the way to achieve this. He's been tainted, Sakura-sama."
"What is his goal, Konan?" she didn't honestly expect an answer -she was essentially asking the motivations behind the foundation of Akatsuki, a question that had remained a mystery since the very beginning.
But, Konan opened her mouth nonetheless and spoke. "To capture all 9 Tailed Beasts and use their power to not only blackmail the villages, but to erase all corruption as well. He would make himself sovereign over all -King of the Shinobi Lands..." she muttered with a frown. "This hadn't been our goal at first. But with our cause and Nagato's strength came unwanted knowledge and power -now I hardly know what our true aims are." She waited a moment before she spoke again. "...But no matter what he does, there's no possible way I can leave his side... not after everything that we've been through." She looked at Sakura then, her eyes earnestly showing hurt and confusion, and it made Sakura understand.
She loved him.
And because of this, she could not judge her one bit. After all, she had betrayed her own nation because of her feelings for Itachi. She should have killed him -could have any moment he had his guard down. But she hadn't. She wouldn't, even now, and she knew it to have nothing to do with his ultimate innocence or because it would hurt Sasuke or Mikoto.
"I understand Pein's reasons for having founded his organization, Konan." Sakura began. "What better way to make people follow you than through fear -I get that. But if you look around you Konan, you will see many people already fighting for that very same cause. Look at Mei. Gaara. Tsunade. Three Kages trying to establish friendly relations in order to spread an era of peace and prosperity, without the tactics of fear. And even though it seems far-fetched and nearly impossible... isn't it at least worth trying for?"
"Corruption will never end that way." Konan stated.
"Neither will it through fear tactics." Sakura shook her head. "Matsuro-sama teaches us that all life is precious and that we create our own destinies. You would be ripping this away from everyone -and without our freedom to choose, we won't even be humans anymore. I implore you to speak to Pein. To help him understand that this is not the answer."
"...I fear that even if Nagato understood this, we wouldn't be able to stop." She stated hesitantly, a single person in mind.
"What do you mean?" Sakura raised an eyebrow.
But Konan shook her head. "I have said too much as it is. All is not as it seems at the base, Sakura-sama. I have heard you out. Please be patient and buy me time. I will try and get Pein to see the error of his ways."
"I sincerely hope you do Konan. For everyone's sake. I have seen what this war will do to the Lands." Sakura stated. "Devastation and chaos of this proportion should never exist."
"I understand, Sakura-sama." It was quiet between the two Haruno's as the information sunk in. "I should be going now, lest someone starts looking for you and wanders in this forest."
Sakura nodded her head, and watched Konan walk away slowly, sorrow filling Sakura's orbs.
Konan's mission was not easy.
But she had said what she needed to, and she could only hope that Konan followed her heart and made the right decisions.
For now, she had a mission to start. Sakura quickly returned to the household, gathering up her belongings and swinging by Sasuke's room. Before she could even knock, he opened her the slide door, backpack ready. No words were spoken between the two of them, although they spent their time bidding Mikoto and Saki goodbye, before they went towards the Konoha gates, Neji already there waiting patiently.
"Good, let's head out." Neji muttered, not even greeting them.
Alas, the Hyuga was bound to his ways.
End of Chapter
A/N: The strong feeling that Saki had met Itachi before comes from the Prelogue, when Saki had activated her Sharingan as a newborn and seen Itachi, for those of you who didn't catch that =]
So, the plot is slowly starting to unravel itself. Soon enough I will also start unraveling the continued mysteries of the Haruno Clan, in particular the one known as Kikyou ^_^ That's right, Inner =D Trust me, you guys are going to love it ^.^
As I have stated before, if there are any flashbacks you guys may want me to incorporate, please do not hesitate to let me know! No one has mentioned anything on the matter :'c
On another note, this may be kind of sudden (and by no means will it be coming up any time soon) but I wanted to know if you guys wanted a lemon(s) in the story. It's up to you guys really -i can post it under its own separate story if you'd prefer that too. Let me know your thoughts Ox
Anyway, questions, comments, concerns, critiques? Drop a review and I'll be sure to get back to you ^_^
-MarzSpy
P.S. Check my profile to see soon-to-come updates and the like. I know it's been forever since I've done that but I'll try to pick that up again, thank you!