Another update! Woo! I'm on a roll! Go baby yeah! Go me, it's my birthday, go me, it's my birthday. Well, okay so it's not but…W00T!
-Crickets chirp-
Ahem -Coughs awkwardly- In other matters…SCHOOL SUCKS! T-T Now, being as I have nothing of real interest to say, on with the story!
Sound's Gate: Shadows of Fire
Chapter 11
Unburdening – Sasuke Shares and a crime is solved
The door creaked and Sakura's head jerked up. She observed Sasuke stood by the door through puffy, red eyes, and quickly swiped away the last tears on her cheeks. Giving as best a smile as she could manage, she stood up off the bed where she had been sitting.
"Good morning Sasuke-kun! Did you sleep well? Why are you here? Is there something you want to tell me or did you just come to wish me good morning? Could maybe hurry up because I'm in an awful hurry and I need to get dressed really." She babbled.
Sasuke remained where he was, calmly watching her as he leaned against the door frame coolly.
"Why were you crying?"
She gave a small, completely fake giggle. "I wasn't Sasuke-kun, I'm just tired. I didn't sleep much last night you see and it's getting to me and…"
"Your pillow is sopping wet."
She glanced at her pillow, silently cursing herself as she saw there was indeed a large wet patch, the result of her sobbing heavily into it earlier that morning. Sighing, she gave up the act, dropping all traces of a smile and sitting back down on her bed wearily. She gazed up at him, waiting for some kind of comment. When he was not forthcoming, she gestured towards the bed.
"Sit down then."
He crossed the tiny room in two strides and sat next to her, a decent distance away, watching warily for any sign of tears. She merely fiddled with her hair quietly, not meeting his eye, trying to figure out where she should begin. Deciding she was probably better off just starting from the beginning, she recounted everything that had happened in her dream.
"Normally such a small thing as a dream wouldn't concern me, but I just got these deep feeling of unease and I just know something is wrong. It's like a gut feeling and I just can't shake it. Plus, I don't ever recall having such a morbid dream before…Something is not right. I'm certain of it." Her hand dropped to her lap, and she fiddled with the hem of her dress, just peeking out from under her armour.
She glanced at the raven haired boy beside her. He appeared to be deep in thought, so she said nothing more. After a few awkward minutes of silence, Sasuke finally spoke up.
"It's probably just your Ita-spawn side playing you up since you won't kill anyone."
Her temper flared. "Will you stop that?! I am not some monster going round killing everyone and everything in sight, so stop treating me like it!" She jumped to her feet as he stood up and glared up at him.
He shrugged. "Don't blame me for your dark-side."
He just knew how to push her buttons. If anything got Sakura riled, it was calling her evil just because of her father. Heck, it wasn't her fault the God of Murder was her dad. She tried so hard to be good and follow what Haku had taught her. Having one of her so-called 'friends' wind her up about it was not something she would take lying down.
"Now you listen to me!" She caught the front of his collar and pulled him down to her height, so she could see eye-to-eye with him. "I am not a blood-thirsty vampire! I am not a rampaging killing machine! I am not a soul-sucking demon! Get your head out of your arse, stop beating your almighty chest and for once treat me with a little respect. I have done nothing to deserve this kind of attitude and I won't stand for it. You certainly won't make it into the Konoha Shinobi like that!" With that she let go of his collar, marched to the door and opened it. "Goodbye I will see you later. I need to get ready."
She shut the door mere moments after he was out of it. Before she leaned her back against the cool wood, breathing heavily and trying to soothe her raging temper and sore wounds he had caused to resurface. Once she had regained enough control of herself to breathe normally again, she went about pulling her weapons and backpack and various other adventuring items on, stopping every once in a while to mutter something, such as, "Insensitive git. What crawled up his ass and died?!" and other curses of the like. About ten minutes later, she stomped out of the door and downstairs to her team mates, ignoring Sasuke completely.
The cold air outside hit them all hard, and everyone was shivering by the time they got to the bridge district. As they made their way through the town, a large gathering of people caught their attention. In the centre of the group appeared to be some kind of creature. Sakura pushed her way to the forefront and grimaced at the sight that met her eyes. Some poor soul had been killed, skinned and left to rot in the middle of the road. She backed off looking disgusted, listening to the talk of the locals as she did so.
"…say it's a serial killer…"
"…twelfth one this week I hear…"
"…not even the lieutenant knows what's going on…"
"…tried everything they can…"
"…only three witnesses…"
"…total mystery they say…"
The kunoichi had heard enough to convince her to intervene, and none of her friends were surprised at the news, in fact, Tenten even said that she had taken the liberty of getting the lieutenant's name for them. Sakura gave her friend a wide grin of thanks, and together, they all headed to a large, burly man, with rippling muscles and a ferocious looking spear in one hand, that looked like it weighed a ton, though he held it with ease.
"Hi there Lieutenant Aegisfield. I hear you've been having problems with a serial killer around here. Can you tell me what's going on?" She asked politely. He looked at her carefully.
"It's nothing for you to worry about citizen. Yes there is a killer, but we're hot on his trail."
"That's not what I heard. I hear you're having trouble catching this guy, so I've come to offer some help."
"No thank you."
"Can't you at least give us the names of the witnesses? No harm in that is there?"
The lieutenant hesitated, but gave them 3 names anyway. Rampah, a beggar man, Rose Bouquet, a prostitute, and Faraji, the young boy who found the latest body. She thanked him for his time, and the team decided to head towards Faraji first. The small boy was eager to speak to them and retell his adventure, but came up with nothing really useful, so the 6 left him and headed towards a small camp for the homeless in the northwest of the district. Sure enough, they found Rampah near the edge of the camp.
"Hello, Rampah?"
"I don't know nothin'!" Was the short, sharp reply.
"But I heard you spoke to the guards and we're here to help…"
"I said I don't know nothin'. I ain't said a word to them there guards and I don't know nothin'!"
Sakura was losing patience slightly, but kept a check on her temper.
"Well, if you don't know nothing, that implies you know something, and I would like to know what that something is." She countered.
Rampah opened his mouth, but seemed to be at a loss for a reply to this statement. Haruno continued her onslaught.
"It'll be worth your while." She sang, jingling a bag of coins in her small, pale hand. His eyes followed the bag greedily.
"Fine. 50GP and I'll tell you something I didn't even tell the guards!"
"That would be just lovely. Thank you." She said smugly, counting out the required amount where he could see. She held the money tight in her fist. "Give us the information and you can have it."
"I found this here exotic hide." He licked his lips, his eyes hungrily watching her hand. "You can have it if you give me that money." He held out a small patch of animal skin, and the two exchanged.
"Thank you very much." Sakura said primly, keeping a hold on the hide and twirling on the spot, heading off in the other direction and leaving Rampah to count his money.
Their next port of call was Rose Bouquet. The woman was tall and proud, but she had a face like a boot and it was covered with heavy make-up. Her clothes emphasised her small cleavage and stumpy legs, and she point blank refused to tell them anything unless they paid her for her time. Another 50GP exchanged hands and suddenly the old woman was all talk, pleasant as you please.
"Well hun." She directed her words to Sasuke, who looked thoroughly irritated by this. "I saw a guy running from the scene of the crime. He had some kinda weird looking cloth dangling from his arm…" She thought for a minute. "Come to think of it, it was probably the poor victim's skin. Anyway, as he was leaving, I smelt something awful funny. Kinda like Guril berries…or maybe it was something else? Bel Dalemark over there would know. He works with stuff like that, exotic hides too. Funny man he is." She pointed to a large merchant just a little down the street.
"Thank you. Would it be okay for us to come back and talk to you again in a few minutes?" Sakura butted in before Sasuke could say anything.
"Um…sure, I guess sweetie. You did pay for your time after all."
"Thanks." She then marched over to Bel. "Excuse me, are you Bel?"
"Sure am little lady, what can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you could identify this?" She handed him the hide that Rampah had given her.
"Why, this here's elephant, I'd recognise the course skin any where. You'd probably want to talk to the tanner about this. It's most likely his since he always buys this sort of thing." Sakura's eyes narrowed.
'Bingo our first suspect.' She thought. "Thanks." She said aloud. "Um, I hate to be a bother but, do you have anything that smells similar to Guril berries?"
Bel put his head on one side, looking at her curiously, but he nodded nonetheless. "Of course. There are three things that have a similar scent. Guril berries, Solik berries and Oak bark. Since you've been such a pleasure to have around you can have them for free. Business is kind of slow anyway."
"Thank you so much, we're very grateful." She smiled.
As they were walking off, Naruto piped up. "Sakura-chan, what's the point of all this?"
"We're going to find out who the murderer is Naruto, just watch and learn."
She went back to Rose and gave her the three items. "Which was it you smelled?"
Rose took long sniffs of each thing. "Hm…well, I'd say it's definitely without a doubt the Oak bark. Used in tanning that is."
Sakura looked like Christmas had come early. She heartily thanked Rose for her time, and led her friends towards the tannery.
"I still don't get it Sakura-chan." Naruto was completely bewildered.
Sakura sighed, but turned around anyway to give him an explanation.
"Look, there was some animal skin found at the scene of the crime right?"
"Right."
"Bel said it was elephant skin right?
"Right."
"Elephant skin is used by tanners, the people who make armour right?"
"Right." Naruto was beginning to see where this was going.
"There was also the smell of oak bark from the murderer right?"
"Right, but what does that have to do with the tanner?"
Tenten rolled her eyes and intervened. "Rose just told you."
"Huh?"
"Oak bark is used to help make armour Naruto-kun." Hinata pulled on his sleeve.
"Ah. So all the evidence…"
"Points to the tanner, you got it." Sakura grinned.
"I take it we will be visiting him?" Neji said.
"Undoubtedly." Sasuke sighed.
The group had reached the tanner's shop by this point, and they all walked through the door to come face to face with the tanner.
"Good afternoon!" He greeted cheerfully. "What can I do for you lovely customers today?"
"How about telling us why you've been killing innocent people and skinning them you sicko?!" Naruto burst out. Sakura slapped her forehead in frustration.
The tanner was unfazed. "I'm sorry but I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, and unless you have some proof I'm afraid I will have to ask you to leave."
"You'll have to forgive my friend, he's always like this." Sakura smoothed over coolly, thinking quickly. "He's had one too many bumps on the head." She whispered. "That frog with him? He thinks it's the son of a giant toad lord." Giggling she leaned back. "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name…?"
"Rejiek Hidesman." The tanner replied, looking a little more relaxed.
"Rejiek." Sakura smiled. "I believe you asked for proof of your guilt did you not?" She had stalled long enough for her friends to block the door, and Rejiek's face fell.
"Yes. I did ask for proof."
Haruno calmly presented him with her evidence. "Firstly, the smell of Oak bark, used in the tanning process is it not?" A nod of affirmation. "Secondly, elephant hide, extremely rare. Yours I believe?" Another nod. "Do you have anything to say?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"Goodbye." He fled down some stairs to the cellar, and the ninjas chased, hot on his heels.
There were several corpses, in varying states of decay at the bottom of the stairs, each one skinned, but they all merely jumped over them, chasing Rejiek down yet another flight of stairs. This flight led to some docks, and Rejiek and an accomplice jumped into the only boat and escaped into the sewers. Sakura launched a kunai after them, but even her sharp eyes could not see through the overwhelming darkness. Cursing all the way back into broad daylight, she had no choice but to inform the lieutenant of their discovery.
"Amazing detective work. I'll have every ninja in Konoha looking out for him. In the sewers or not he won't escape." He handed the depressed kunoichi 500GP and sent her on her way.
"I can't believe he escaped!" She ranted to her friends as they headed for the docks. "We were so close! Ooh." She sat down on a rock angrily and pouted.
"Why don't we all take a few minute's break? We'll meet back here in ten minutes or so." Tenten suggested.
They all agreed, and paired up. Tenten dragged Neji to a nearby weapon's shop. They had a gorgeous sword that she'd had her eye on for a while, whereas Naruto and the gentle Hinata headed to a nearby park to spar for a bit. Sasuke was left alone with the still sulking Sakura. He sighed and flopped down next to her.
"You remind me of my sister." He said unexpectedly. Sure he liked silence, but this was too overbearing, even for him.
"How so?" Good, he had her attention.
"You sulk in the same way she does. It's unnerving since you're both normally so cheery and friendly." He glanced at her. "I'm sorry."
Her head shot up in surprise and her rosy lips were parted in shock.
"I haven't been treating you fairly, you're right. Shika(1) would be ashamed of me."
"Shika?"
"My sister. She stays at home and looks after my father."
"Is he ill?"
"No. Just drunk. He's always drunk." Sasuke said bitterly.
He glanced at her again, but she did not have that irritating look of sympathy or mocking people usually wore when he told them about this. She had a, 'you can talk if you want to' look. And he did want to. It had been bugging him for a long time, and he knew Sakura was good at solving problems. Sighing, he began his tale.
"My father runs a business, it used to be very successful. He loved my mother very much, and for the first few years of my life all was peaceful. We lived as a normal family, and were very respected. Then a new merchant came on the scene, called Danzou. He and my father were very competitive. After a few years, my mother died unexpectedly, the medics could never figure out why. My father, Fugaku, was convinced that it was Danzou's doing, and saw little reason to carry on without my mother around. He began to drink more. More and more and more still everyday. Things worsened, and my sister was restricted to the house more and more."
His voice was cold, as were his eyes, but inside, a raging fire burned.
"He didn't want to let her out of his sight, in case something happened to her like it did to my mother. She had no friends and was constantly stuck inside the house. While this was happening he began to train me in the family business, but I found it boring and disinteresting. Even then I had always wanted to be in the Konoha Shinobi, but as each day passed, so too did my desire to escape from the hell hole I called a home. When I came of age, I tried to apply for a place in the Konoha Shinobi, but you had to have someone to recommend you. I foolishly asked my father. He said no of course, and ranted and raved for nights about what I had asked. He called me a disgrace, but it just made my desire to leave burn brighter. I searched the scrolls for many nights, to see if there was anyway for me to become one of the Shinobi. At last, after months of endless research, I found what I was looking for. I could join, but I had to be specially trained in some sort of field, so I began attending a night class that trained people to be ninjas. I did it in the utmost secrecy, so my father would not catch wind of what was going on. I continued in this fashion for two years, and I was finally fully qualified as a ninja. I went back to the Shinobi, but they were still reluctant to admit me without a recommendation from someone. Luckily, one of the very respected Shinobi, Trawl-sama, spoke up for me. He had heard of my struggle and felt I had more than proven myself worthy to be given a chance. He recommended me and I was accepted. My father was highly displeased. He tried to disown me, but Shika would not let him. I wanted to take her to live in my quarters, since I intended to be out proving myself for most of the time, but she declined and said she would prefer to stay at home. Father was so often drunk by now, that he could not even get out of his seat for most of the day. She said she would stay at home and look after him, so I…I left her there."
His voice did something Sakura had never heard it do before. It wobbled.
"She sounded rather content in her last letter. Happy almost. She said father was making good progress, but…I can't help but feel guilty at leaving her there…" He trailed off. "I only wanted his respect. His acknowledgement. Hell, a pat on the back would have been satisfactory. I've worked so hard to make him proud, but nothing is ever good enough." He spat into the bushes angrily and pushed himself off the rock.
It was a shock to feel a soft hand on his arm. He looked down to see Sakura watching him. He had almost forgotten she was there. She had a strange look on her face. Like she understood his pain somehow. His heart felt oddly light too, as though a massive burden had been lifted from his shoulders. It was the sort of feeling he got after telling Shika when something was bothering him. He did something more shocking than he had ever imagined he would do. He gave her a small, grateful smile.
"Thank you…for listening. You are very easy to talk to. Just like Shika."
She smiled back. "You did all you could. Be happy that she is content. She sounds like the sort of person who enjoys helping people. She sounds wonderful and I would love to meet her."
Sasuke nodded absentmindedly. "I think you would get along very well. Hopefully I should receive a letter from her soon. I have not heard from her in a while."
"Well you never know what's around the corner." She grinned. "Looks like they're on their way back." She observed.
Tenten was looking happy as a clam, a large sword cradled lovingly in her arms, with an amused looking Neji by her side. Hinata and Naruto were also returning, the pale eyed girl practicing some medic skills Sakura had taught her on Naruto's larger bruises. Once all together again, the group headed on, going around a corner, towards some stairs…
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Me: So, a little bit of Sasuke-kun's background here. I hope you all enjoyed.
Inner Me: I think they all enjoyed the fast update more. This is a pretty weak chapter.
Me: I know, but it's just a filler and a relationship developer. There's going to be a couple more of these and trouble is close for Sasuke. Don't worry though. We'll have some plot soon.
Inner Me: We'd better. Review please!