Disclaimer: I claim ownership of the story plot, but not this story's characters. They, unfortunately, are not mine to claim rights to.
Chapter Nine: Near & Far
Bit by slow bit they made their way back through the woods and up to the wooden door that led into the back entrance of the kitchens. By now the sun had all but set and the soothing sounds of twilight began to gather around the pair.
Sakura was lost in her own thoughts, wishing that the moment would never end if this was as close as they would ever be, but as the door came closer she knew what was to be expected. So before she could feel the sting of being shrugged off she decided to make the first move.
They stopped in front of the door, just before the step up and through the door, and she made the move to lift his arm off from around her shoulder, but was startled to find that Sasuke wasn't relenting his grip on her. Either he's really in a lot more pain and feeling weaker than he's willing to let us know, or…could he-? Would he even-?
She glanced at his face, curious to see him staring determinedly before him, avoiding her gaze but incapable of preventing the slight coloring on his cheeks from appearing.
Well, if that's what he wants. She smiled secretly to herself. She wasn't going to push him if he didn't want to. So she reached out her free hand and grasped the door handle, turned it and opened it wide to allow the two of them inside.
They were greeted with astonished silence.
Not one person in the room could make a sound, but every person had his or her eyes fixated on the pair before them. Naruto was beside himself with a wide, satisfied grin making no attempt to hide itself.
Sakura looked at Sasuke in a questioning manner, and he merely made the slightest tug to indicate where he wanted them to sit; a pair of unoccupied chairs in the back right hand corner of the haphazard circle. Acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary, but struggling to hide the small smile on her own face Sakura eased him into his chair before sitting down neatly beside him.
There was continued silence for another moment, until Shikamaru broke it awkwardly. "Right," he started breaking his fixated gaze and glancing around the room. "Now that we're all finally here. Let's begin."
Everyone sat still and awkward with the apprehension that seemed to permeate the room with Sakura's presence, as they threw her furtive glances. Eventually a few people relaxed once Sasuke reached out to grasp Sakura's hand lightly and holds it, trying to reduce her stress. She blushed madly, but his face was nearly as calm as ever with only the faintest of colorings gracing his cheeks.
"The only thing we're really lacking is information," Shikamaru explained. "We've gathered as much as we have been able to since we've all been here, but even the Resistance is sketchy on certain details about the beginnings. Sasuke has told us what is useful from his point of view, but we need an outside view as well. None of us were all too interested in each other's concerns at the time except when to next make war on them."
"Where are we going to find a source like that?" Kiba asked, dumbfounded. "Our parents didn't care at all at the time, and we were all too young to even completely understand what was going on."
Sakura felt a slight pressure on her hand and she glanced over to see Sasuke still staring right ahead, not catching her eye. Instead, she followed his gaze to see Naruto and him seeming to pass something on unspoken to each other. Then Naruto looked at her intently, trying to convey the same message without words.
She could only look at him blankly wondering what in heaven's name they were trying to ask her. And then it hit her. The constant weight in her inner pocket suddenly seemed to double and she realized how she could help, but at what cost to her own privacy.
Her journal was just that. Her journal. It contained more useful information to the Resistance then anyone could possibly imagine, but it also contained her personal feelings and thoughts. It was like a trusted friend that she could share the world with, and know that it would never speak a word aloud. Was she ready to let the world know?
Sakura broke her gaze with Naruto and looked down at her lap, her eyesight gliding to her right to see her pale slender fingers entwined with Sasuke's even paler ones. I can do this. I have to do this. I want to do this. She convinced herself until she found the strength of mind to speak up, squeezing Sasuke's hand unconsciously in an effort to draw strength of heart to survive the embarrassment she knew would follow.
"I have one," Sakura's calm, strong voice interrupted an ensuing argument that was beginning to form.
Once more all eyes turned toward her and Sakura sat a little straighter in her chair, determined to follow through.
Ino snorted. "Really? And just who is this 'reliable source?'"
Sakura looked eyes with Ino. "One that has been with me for a very long time."
Ino glared back. "Just how long?"
"Nearly all my life."
Ino's gaze narrowed in disbelief. "If it's one of your servants, that's going to be a bit impossible."
"Ino's right," Kiba interjected. "We can't bring anyone else here. You shouldn't even really be here."
"Thanks," Sakura muttered sarcastically. "Between the two of you I feel as welcome as a plague."
"They do have a point though," Shikamaru interrupted before the sparks could fly between the three. "It would be impossible to bring anyone here before tomorrow from your home country. Reliable source or not."
"Tomorrow? What's going on tomorrow?" Sakura's brows furrowed, and tensions tightened slightly.
"There's a meeting for the Resistance tomorrow night," Sasuke explained evenly. "Why don't you just show them your 'source' before someone gets hurt." He said to pacify her and everyone else. His face showed that he didn't care one way or the other, but his reassuring grip rid Sakura of a sharp retort.
She dug into her pocket and drew out her faithful old journal, and set it on her lap. "I've recorded everything in here from the time I first learned to write," she explained to the group. "It goes through all the events leading up until today; facts, rumors, everything. I give you permission to read through it and take what you need from it, though I do request that anything take out is on a copy-only basis. I wish my journal to be returned to me in the same condition I am lending it out in."
Everyone's eyes began darting from Sakura's face to the old and worn book lying across her skirts. Sakura could feel a flush beginning to form across her cheeks. "I understand that you have no real reason to trust me right now, and for all you know I could have fabricated every bit of information in here." She skimmed her journal's cover with her fingertips protectively. "But as I have stated before, you really don't have any other choice, and I have no reason to trust any of you as well. I have not been involved in this Resistance; I didn't know it even truly existed anywhere but outside these walls.
She looked up from her lap and turned to each member of the group in turn, holding his or her eyes with a level of determination and pride that equaled if not surpassed theirs. "However, I am here now. And I am willing to help in anyway possible if you could just try and trust me. Believe me when I say that we are all in the say spot in one form or another, and that this shouldn't and won't stay the same for much longer. Things need to change. For the better."
"Nice little speech there, Princess," Naruto grinned at her with shining eyes.
Sakura flushed clear to her hair, she hadn't meant to do that. She wanted nothing more than to run from the room and hide her face underneath a pillow for the next decade or so. The only thing keeping her anchored to her seat was that no one was laughing, and Sasuke's hand was still holding hers to reassuringly. And she'd rather face Itachi and his entire force on her own than break that contact.
"Well then, let's see this 'star witness' of yours and test just how reliable it is," Shikamaru broke in, ever the peacemaker, but with a shadow of a smile on his otherwise cautious features.
Hesitatingly Sakura relinquished her grip on her journal as she placed it in Shikamaru's waiting hand. He skimmed through it at first almost disinterestedly, but with more focus and intensity the more he read. Noticing his sudden enthusiasm, Chouji peeked over his friends' shoulder to read along, before sending a surprised glance over at Sakura. "You're certainly honest in what you write about, aren't you?"
Sakura caught the rest of the meaning in his words. Her face flushed in embarrassment; inwardly mortified at what they were reading, but trying to pacify herself with the knowledge of how much she was contributing with the amount of facts contained inside its pages. "I had no reason to hide what I thought or felt from myself," Sakura responded evenly.
"And you never worried about someone getting their hands on it?" Shikamaru questioned as he passed it on amongst the group.
"In my own home, no," Sakura responded. "My parents witnessed everything that I went through; they probably knew more than I did. For a while they were free to express anything they wished to say in front of me. I don't think they were entirely aware that I could still hear just about everything that was going on around me." Sakura felt a flash of the inner darkness that had consumed her after 'the news,' but shook it off. "By then, I had heard much more than a young girl was supposed to know, and I had become very skilled at listening." She grinned almost mischievously to herself. "Which I am sure most of you have picked up on in the short time we have all known each other."
"Obviously," Kiba scoffed, but grinned good-humouredly all the same.
Sasuke had his eyes closed, but a smirk was present on his face as he observed everything around him, inwardly proud at Sakura's unwavering ability to stand on her own. Naruto sharing the feeling in his own way, and also pleased to see that everyone slowly seemed to be coming to an agreement and working together instead of against each other.
The journal was passed from hand to hand, each person taking time out of their scanning to steal a glance at Sakura of incredulity, before shaking their heads and moving on.
Sakura tried her hardest not to squirm under scrutiny, but couldn't help but fidget with her hands, Sasuke finally having to take both of them into his one good one to calm her down.
And as each person finished reading, they joined in on the discussion of what was to come next, especially the plans for the following day.
"I think Sakura should go," Ino spoke up, refusing to meet Sakura's astounded face. "To the Resistance meeting with Sasuke and Naruto." She clarified. "It sounds like she knows as much as the rest of us, if not more. She could be very useful to them, especially if she takes her journal with her."
Sakura felt the immediate trepidation course through her veins like a sleeping draught, immediate and seeming to reach every part of her body simultaneously. Her face flushed an even darker shade at the mortifying thought of the entire world knowing her every thought and feeling.
Sensing her discomfort, Sasuke spoke up. "Just having Sakura there will be enough of an aid, as she experienced everything first hand, and technically the journal is a second hand testimony."
Shikamaru nodded in acquiescence. "If she is willing to go, it would help immensely. How are you with the plan, Naruto?"
Naruto's enthusiasm was almost tangible. "I'm ready whenever those two are ready to go."
"Sakura?" Sasuke asked, looking at her with the full intensity of his midnight-colored eyes.
Sakura felt her breath catch somewhere in her throat and her heart pulsate erratically. Can I do this? Join the Resistance as a member instead of a by-standing informant? "…Yes. I will go," Sakura made sure to keep her voice even and level as her heart pounded in her rib cage.
There's no looking back now.
----------
"Are you really sure this is okay?" Sakura asked for what she knew must be the hundredth time.
Naruto looked at her almost exasperatingly. "Princess-"
"Sakura," she interrupted.
"Sakura," Naruto relented with the correction. "You'll be fine. We won't let anyone harm you."
Sakura bit her lip. "That's not what I'm nervous about." She fidgeted with her hooded cloak as she stood watching Sasuke and Naruto ready two horses.
"Then what?" Naruto asked, his brows furrowed, finally stopping and giving her his full attention.
Sakura darted a quick glance at Sasuke, and Naruto's eyes followed. He knew that Sakura didn't approve of Sasuke going with them to the meeting for the Resistance, what with his injuries still healing, but there was no way of talking Sasuke out of it. They would have better luck convincing his horse not to take him for all the good it would give them.
"I'll be fine Sakura," Sasuke stated shortly, but not unkindly. "And he will never know. He left for a reason of his own just after you ate remember?"
Sakura felt her heart jolt at how well he had pinpointed her troubles. "And you are sure that the Resistance will accept me?"
"We're not going to let anyone hurt you if that's what you're asking," Naruto assured her.
"Are you satisfied now?" Sasuke inquired, looking her full in the eyes.
No, Sakura wanted to say, but instead she just nodded her head. Naruto swung himself up and onto his horse. "I'll check to make sure the coast is clear. You two get on yours." He trotted out of the stable, cloaked in the darkness of the night.
"Ours?" Sakura asked, confused. "There's only one horse. Where's the other?" She looked at Sasuke, tilting her head in question.
A light blush spread evenly across his cheeks and he awkwardly looked away from her puzzled eyes. "We'll be sharing mine. The less horses missing the better, and…just in case."
Sakura's eyes went wide in understanding. Just in case he can't handle control of the horse because of his arm. "Good idea," she smiled. She slid her foot into the stir-up, taking care to keep her dress clear and swung herself up into the saddle without another hesitation. She sat sidesaddle, hooking one leg over the saddle-piece for support, and once she had balanced herself she held her hand back out for Sasuke.
He looked at her in surprise then his gaze narrowed. "Don't give me that look," Sakura scolded with a gentle smile still on her face. "I don't want you straining that arm anymore than you should, and you won't need to if I help you up." She winked at him. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
Sasuke merely rolled his eyes in response, but didn't argue further. He grasped her hand firmly and she leaned back as he pulled himself up into the saddle behind her. Once settled he reached around her slim waist and took hold of the reins before guiding the horse out and into the night.
"What took you so long?" Naruto grinned from the edge of the forest.
Sasuke glared in return. "Let's just go." The two encouraged their horses onto a forest path at a relatively comfortable speed, knowing the way all through memory.
Sakura herself was highly conscious of the close proximity of her and Sasuke. She was tucked into his embrace, mindful of the splint, so closely that she could feel the warmth of his body through both of their clothes. She felt herself blushing at the solidness of his chest and how right it felt to be cradled there. The wind whistled past with the dark indistinguishable shapes of trees and brush that rushed by, and Sakura couldn't think of anywhere else she would rather be at the moment.
Tentatively she wrapped her own arms around his waist, under his cloak and held on, encouraged when she felt the echoes of Surprise and Contentment. She leaned closer and could hear the beating of his heart, one that matched her own, fluttering with mixed emotions, and simply reveled in the smell that enshrouded her senses. It felt like…home.
All too soon it felt like to Sakura, they began to slow down and she struggled to pull herself out of her dreamlike stupor.
They were arriving.
She could now begin to see the warm orange glow of fires burning in a small clearing just ahead, and Sakura reluctantly loosened her hold and sat straighter. She needed to look proper-like for this, it was far too important to make a good first impression right now. But she didn't miss the resounding echo that mirrored her own feelings, and it eased her resurfacing nerves. Marginally.
The dark shapes around her finally merged into distinguishable shapes of trees and moving figures again as they drew nearer to the dancing flames. Sakura felt the butterflies in her stomach increase ten-fold as she began to make out the physical appearances of those they were meeting.
They pulled up short just behind Naruto and the two princes effortlessly slid of their horses, Sakura taking her time so as not to accidentally catch her skirt on anything and reveal much more than information to this crowd of strangers.
And then Sakura suddenly found that she couldn't move forward. Her feet had grown roots and she felt that if she were to move, the uprooting would kill her. Her mind argued that it was better to sit put in the darkness of the shadows and merely observe.
Don't get involved. I shouldn't get involved. I mean, who am I kidding? I have no idea what I'm even doing. I don't even know if I should actually be here. I'm risking everything! If Itachi ever found out that I was here, he would harm my parents, my kingdom, everyone! She looked up, startled, to see a hand reaching out toward her. She followed the hand up the arm and to the face of the body it was attached to. Sasuke. Her heart panged once against her chest. And suddenly it hit her that she wasn't the only one risking everything.Every single person here was risking not only their own lives, but also the lives of everyone they knew to secure something infinitely more precious, and longer lasting.
Shakily she reached out her own hand grasped Sasuke's firmly, placing all of her trust in him as he pulled her forward into the torch light. She clung close to his side for support as he in turn rested against her to support what his body was still not quite ready to do on its own just yet. They both had their cloaks securely tied around their necks, Sakura for familiarity and comfort, Sasuke to hide his injuries from the group; he wasn't about to appear weak and incapable in front of the Resistance.
Sakura felt her blood rush through her veins with increasing rapidity, as she knew her part in this was coming to a head, and drew upon the strength of Calm Serenity Sasuke was echoing out.
"And who have you brought with you, Uchiha Sasuke?" A strong feminine voice called out from the half-shadowed group.
Sakura immediately stiffened in fear, but Sasuke spoke out clearly and evenly. "Haruno Sakura, she wishes to help us with her inside knowledge."
"Haruno? You are aware that that particular kingdom has allied itself with the target of our mission?" The voice continued mildly.
"My kingdom made a contract with the Uchiha kingdom a long time ago, one that we have both held to faithfully. They offered us protection in the time when all kingdoms were warring against each other," Sakura spoke up unsure at first, but with more solidity as she continued, irritated by the jab.
"And what did the Haruno kingdom offer in return?" The feminine voice asked with the knowledge that it knew exactly what the bargaining price had been.
"Me," Sakura stated firmly.
Murmurs swept faintly through the crowd.
"In the usual way, I assume?"
"Yes."
"And who were you promised to marry?"
Sakura hesitated for a fraction of a second. "The youngest heir, Uchiha Sasuke."
The murmurs increased in volume.
"And now?"
Sakura blanched. "The only known surviving Uchiha," she emphasized and appreciative chuckles were heard from a few.
"And you are not willing to uphold your promise to wed Itachi?"
Sakura scowled at the hidden voice. "I was, until I found out that my original contract was still feasible, making the current situation null and void."
"So what do you wish to do now?" The voice asked in an unrecognizable emotion.
"Keep my first promise," Sakura answered back immediately.
"How?"
"Anyway I can," she continued unfalteringly.
"I do believe you have grown since the last time I saw you, Sakura," the voice radiated pride and delight, and a hooded figure stepped forward into the center of the group, shoving her hood back in the process.
As a mass of blonde hair and bright eyes met Sakura's face, all she could do in return was stare in shock. "Tsunade-…?"
"I would expect nothing less from one of my star pupils," a smile gracing her youthful features.
At Tsunade's acknowledgement, the Resistance immediately felt their fears shunned aside and welcomed this newcomer with open arms. The meeting continued without further interruptions, and Sakura felt herself drawn further into the discussion than she could have ever dreamed. She was fascinated by the amount of determination, willpower, and information that had all collected in one place, and for the first time, really began to believe that it was possible to bring Itachi and his reign down.
As the meeting drew to its close, Tsunade made her way over to Sakura, Shizune not too far behind, and embraced her bright-eyed pupil. "Your parents are proud of you," Tsunade whispered.
Sakura pulled away from Tsunade and looked at her in shocked puzzlement. Her teacher smiled fondly, "You know how well news travels along the right lines. They've heard about your involvement and are prouder than they could ever say." She looked intently into Sakura's eyes. "Your mother is especially happy for you, in finding what you were you looking for." Her eyes darted to Sasuke and back in the briefest of movements.
Sasuke was flushing slightly, but looked pleased for Sakura nonetheless, as Sakura felt a broad smile light up her face. "Thank you," she whispered back, overcome by all the emotions racing through her system.
And then suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Sakura caught a sharp movement angled in their direction. Her heart caught in her throat as she realized that it was directed at one of them, particularly her and Sasuke. She whirled in an exact movement to counter the incoming force; drawing out a dagger she had hidden away in her cloak as the sound of clashing metal rang out and rebounded off the surrounding treetops.