PLEASE READ So I need to clarify a few things until I commence this chapter PLEASE READ
-1- My goodness me oh my, we're nearly at 50 reviews, followers AND favourites! I've never thought I'd get this far – all your comments have been so supportive and I'm so happy you guys love the storyline thus far – Like legit I wake up in the morning to check my emails for reviews they just make my day because it makes me feel like I'm doing something right lol
-2- I was wondering if anyone has any idea who our mysterious man was…I tried to drop a few hints (*cough cough* Uchiha who has plans to take a baby…) hmmm… ;-) I'd like to know if any of you know.
-3- Ok this is VERY importante (Spanish I know) so to clarify this 'Sakura business' if some of you are a bit confused…the current Sakura that we've been with so far in this story is named Sakura Kisosha (See chapter 4 for further clarification of her name) and the one that was 'born' last chapter is Sakura Haruno – I know I know this may seem confusing as in "wtf Oxza that means they're different people?! You can't pull this shit on us man?!" But in actuality if you give me some time I'll be tying the two together (heres a secret (not a secret anymore) but they are actually the same person its just the genjutsu triggered something which you'll find out in later chapters)
So without further ado – I'd recommend a tissue box in this chapter just sayin'
We're going to flash through lots of time as well so hold on
'The one that holds us together'
-11-
'Anko' Genma shook her shoulder with worry, 'Come on we gotta go.'
'I'm not going back to the apartment.' Anko spoke with dead voice, 'Whenever I'm there all I can think about is her.'
'I'll take you to Kurenai's then' Genma spoke gently, but Anko didn't regard him.
She sat at a bar stool nursing a large bottle of sake. It was her second one within the hour. Her figure was hunched over the bench and her glazed eyes starred at the open space in front of her as if looking for an answer. Genma sat next to her sober. He just gazed at the women like he had for the past three weeks. Each night they'd sit at the bar, the one that was always empty at this late hour, he'd let her drink her fill and he'd pay the bill. After letting her empty her stomach in the bars toilet, he'd drag her to Kurenai's to stay the night. She hadn't even bothered going near the apartment for the past three weeks as if it were taboo, only if she had someone with her, but even then she'd need coaxing to open the door.
'Make it stop.' Anko choked, 'Kami why does it have to be her?'
She had now swiped the two bottles onto the ground, Genma was quick on his feet trying to grab a hold of Anko.
'Settle down Anko.'
'Settle down? Don't act like your any better.' Anko sobbed, her head now rested on the bench and her form shook, 'F*cking hell…why?'
The bartender came by and Genma moved to quickly apologize about the racket, but the bartender raised his hand and gave Genma a solemn look of understanding, 'Just take her home young man'
Genma carefully walked around the broken glass and looped Anko's arm around his shoulder hoisting her off the stool.
'atta' girl' Genma whispered
Genma moved to pull out money for the tab but the bartender stopped him, 'On the house tonight.'
Genma simply nodded and turned around half dragging Anko's body out of the bar. She was still sniffling quietly. In all honesty it was hard for Genma to see Anko like this especially after their last mission.
Three weeks ago on the way back from their mission with Asuma and Raido, they were ambushed. They had crossed paths with Orochimaru. They had managed to retreat but Anko had gotten badly injured. One of Orochimaru's summonses had managed to bite her, it didn't seem as bad of an injury at that moment, but when they were on the last leg of their journey to the village gates she collapsed.
The bite had turned out to be a seal that Orochimaru had placed on her. The seal unlike Sakura's who inhibited the access to her chakra made Anko's chakra system go haywire. Her chakra network began to produce more chakra than she was capable of using. If left untouched the outcome could have been fatal. Some of the village elders' knew a way to counteract the seals activity which required another seal.
She was fine after that, only every now and then she'd feel pain in that area but other than that she was fine. But it wasn't the physical pain that racked through her body on a daily basis but the psychological internal pain.
It just so happened that they arrived the same evening the incident happened.
Anko wasn't one for emotions, but everyone knew she held a soft spot for Sakura.
She got so angry and frustrated all at once and she took it all out on Kakashi. Kushina tried to sway Anko into leaving Kakashi alone as he too was worse for wear but it proved pointless.
'WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU HUH?' Anko spat in his face, 'SHE'S BEEN THERE FOR YOU ALL THE TIME WHY COULDN'T YOU BE THERE FOR HER?'
She was fuming and her anger was fueled by Kakashi's inability to respond. He just stood in front of Sakura's cot starring at the endless cords connecting her body to machines.
Anko shoved him violently, 'I'M F*CKING TALKING TO YOU BASTARD.'
Kakashi whipped around immediately and grabbed at her uniform aggressively, 'I DON'T NEED YOU TO REMIND ME WHAT I FAILED TO DO.' He growled
He let go of her, 'PUNCH ME. I KNOW YOU WANT TO.'
Anko didn't hold back she aimed a clean right hook to his jaw.
A few individuals moved to stop the quarrel, but Shikaku pulled his arm out, 'Let them be. They need to get all their anger out.'
'But they'll kill each other.'
'They won't' Asuma spoke levelly as he eyed the two, Genma and Raido were still not convinced as they looked at the two anxiously.
Kakashi and Anko now sat on the ground both looking away from one another, 'Are you happy now?' Kakashi whispered. Anko looked up at him and for the first time and noticed his tired eyes. 'You don't think I feel accountable? I've watched both my teammates die and you think I stand here like an asshole you think I am and think this is okay? '
Kakashi looked at her that moment, 'F*cking hell Anko I feel like punching me too.' And he stood up to move out the room, he stood by the door for a moment, 'But at least I don't take it out on people.' He spoke before he walked into the corridor.
'Asuma' Shikaku spoke
Asuma gave the man a nod and followed Kakashi with Gai in tow.
Genma and Raido moved to check on Anko who sat on the ground her head held in her hands, Kushina held them back, 'You guys should go rest up, you had a long mission. I'll take care of Anko.' She spoke gently.
The two men nodded and bowed in respect before walking out the door.
Kushina hobbled towards Anko and kneeled down beside her placing her hand gently on her back, Anko looked up, her eyes red and lined with tears, 'She's like a little sister to me, she's the only one that keeps me sane.' She whispered
Kushina nodded knowingly and allowed Anko to weep quietly into her shoulder. Kushina's eyes lay on Sakura's unconscious form, 'You need to wake up soon Sakura. Everyone needs you.'
Kushina didn't move to wipe away her own tears that fled down her cheeks at that moment.
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Minato and a few other clan heads, that he could round up that late in the night, sat in his office trying to decode or somewhat understand the note left by the assailant.
'This just makes no sense' One head said flabbergasted
'Nothing will at this ungodly hour' Another grumbled
Minato sighed, 'I apologize for calling you all out at this time, you may leave if you must. But please be weary we are up against something or someone we aren't familiar with.'
But his words fell on deaf ears as many of the clan heads had already made their way out of the office. Uchiha Fugaku and Nara Shikaku stayed seated.
'One thing I'm certain of Hokage-sama if I may.' Shikaku spoke
'Please' Minato spoke
'Let these words only be known between us three.' Shikaku spoke again
Minato and Fugaku nodded.
'One thing that I'm certain is this person will strike again soon.'
'When?' Fugaku queried his attention piqued.
'The day your child is born Hokage-sama' Shikaku spoke with conviction.
Minato and Fugaku looked at the young man in shock beckoning him to continue.
'Pardon me, but your wife isn't she the container for the nine tails?'
Minato slowly nodded.
'My father told me, as he was well acquainted with the Uzamaki clan before they perished. He spoke of the passing of the bijou in the clan. I put two and two together and figured your wife must be carrying the nine tails.'
Minato sighed and gave gentle smile, 'You Nara and your perception never cease to amaze me'
The Uchiha gave him a smirk.
'As I was saying the stanza, 'for on the day yonder the ninth spirit is born, the land of this country will be scorn, and the babe from its mother's womb will be torn.' This indicates the 'when' of their next appearance.'
Shikaku then looked to Fugaku, 'Uchiha-san isn't the nine tails linked to the Uchiha clan in some way? Because there is a line, 'to the red nights he is tide' isn't that symbolic of your clan and the sharingan?'
Fugaku looked at Shikaku thoughtfully, 'Yes. The nine tails can be controlled by the sharingan.' He then looked displeased after revealing this information.
Minato eyes opened in shock on this revelation.
'Excuse me Uchiha-san than do you suppose that the person is-'Minato was abruptly cut off by Fugaku, 'Yes our culprit is an Uchiha unfortunately.' Fugaku grumbled kneading his temples with his fore fingers.
Shikaku and Minato regarded him with understanding realizing how ashamed he was that someone from his own clan had dealt this hand onto the village. Fugaku looked up at them, 'There is no doubt about it, the information all lines up. The only thing we need to figure out is the motive behind this and who exactly this vermin is.'
The three men sat quietly all their minds calculating.
'I think we'll call it a night. We will not speak a word of this to anyone?' Minato spoke with fatigue.
Fugaku and Shikaku nodded knowingly.
'I'll see you both here at noon. We have less than two months to prepare for this 'attack''
'That's plenty enough time.'
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The next day, Sakura's grandfather, Sakaero Senso, was found dead in his study. His funeral was held three days after. A week afterwards the standing Sakaero clan head, Sakura's cousin Sakaero Hiro, asked for the clan to be withdrawn from Konoha.
'This village has brought nothing but bad luck and shame to us.' Hiro spoke to the Hokage solemnly.
'As you wish.' Minato sighed as he stamped the release form, 'Where does your clan plan to go?'
'Where ever fate has instilled for us.' Hiro replied cryptically.
'Your clan is always welcome to return to Konoha' Minato spoke good naturedly
'I'm afraid my clan can never call Konoha home ever again, after our history here.' Hiro commented coldly and with that he left the office of the Hokage.
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The third week showed no improvement to Sakura's comatose state. She was stable but had yet to awaken. Kakashi refused to take any missions in that time. He spent his days at the hospital, at Sakura's bedside, reading. Sometimes he'd catch himself not starring at the words but at her face.
Her hair had gone completely white now, there was no hint of the once blossom hue that once stained her tresses. But what took him aback and willed him to believe she'd pull through was her face. It was so calm and relaxed but he could still see traces of determination in her expression. She was fighting.
During the course of the three weeks and now going on four, genjutsu specialists would come in and attempt to dispel the genjutsu but would fail miserably. A member from the Yamanaka clan attempted to enter her mind in order to understand the nature of the genjutsu but all he could see was a black void once he entered her mind.
Sometimes when Kakashi knew they were alone and that no one would be coming around he'd talk to her. Just small talk.
'I heard there was a girl that was born just recently and she looks just like you, and get this she has the same name as you.'
'Itachi's been annoying me to train him. How could you deal with that kid he's got too much energy.'
'I started training Itachi today, he's not half bad. Though he needs stop idolizing you sheesh. He walks around town with your katana on his hip like he's hot stuff.'
'Anko's been drinking a lot. I guess that's not new but it's more than she'd usually let herself drink. She's a mess.'
'I think I'm going to ask her to join Gai on his nightly runs it might do her good. I know it's done me good.'
'Yep we got her to quit cold turkey…Well we bribed her by saying she could drink once she crossed the finish line, but hey it worked.'
'Scratch that, now Genma's drinking. Something about Anko being a pain in the ass.'
'I think I'm doing ok. Well I'm not ok, but I'm not a mess. The guys' won't let me be on my own; I guess that was your doing. Thank you.'
'I-I….really miss you.'
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Dem feels sniff sniff
I love you guys
I'm tired so there may be errors – I'll proof read in the morning, but I didn't want to hold out this chapter any longer because I know you lot.
Please leave your comments in the REVIEW section – they make my day you have no idea :-)
Until next time
Much love
OXZA
