Disclaimer: Do not own any of the characters in this story except for Hashi, Haruka & Ryou
10 Chapters of foundation building based chapters, it's time to enter the plotline ;D
Reviews ;D
Thanks OpaquexSmiles! ;D I have this...problem. I get out of point realllllll easily. The original thing was to let Sasuke think about Haruka, but I got lost in the typing soon after... urgh I really need to keep myself in check sometimes! I'm trying to make use of Hashi's bubbly personality before he runs out of time...hoho
Thanks ani-sand! Letting him be a ninja was the initial idea, but I found that it's not logical to have six-year old children carrying sharp pointy knives screaming "kill kill!" ;D Ah well!
Thanks imm0rtal! No offenses taken ;D At least I have an idea how the story is going, it gets hard since I'm kinda weak at recognizing some of those mistakes ;D Tons on appreciation for the note, and I'm serious!
Thanks bLo0d-rEd-r0se! Heh, I need to really read over the chapters before posting, it gets boring but its effective! Thanks for the note, I really appreciate it! And if there's any mistake in the chapters do let me know! ;D
Thanks Kouyan! It's late, but it's done! My head is spinning, I need sleep ;D
Thanks 13Lulu's! Awkward? hmm... I'll go back and review that chapter again! ;D
& to all readers, thanks for reading!
Broken bonds.
Chapter 12: Facade
His hand was stuffed deep inside his pocket, one feet planted firmly on the ground while he the other lightly tapped the ground with the heel of his shoe. His messy, dark brown hair faintly covered his eyes as he glanced at the blonde woman with a tilted head and a small smile.
"A pleasure to meet the Hokage of the Konohagakure."
Tsunade offered a small scoff and leaned back on the chair, hands over her chest as she smirked devilishly. "Cut the formalities."
The figure chuckled and raised a hand, running it through his hair once before placing it behind his neck. Tsunade reached forward, her hands gripped on the ink-filled paper and giving it a short glance. Her eyes hardened as she fixed a gaze at the young man before her again.
"Of all the times to break the news, may I ask why you chose now?" her voice strong and filled with indescribable authority. The youth lowered his eyes to the ground as his hand slid off the back of his neck.
"I promised Sensei to do something before I start looking for her." His voice had suggested that the rest was private and he was unwilling to reveal anymore. Tsunade closed her eyes and sighed, leaning back to rest her head on the top of the seat. The figure fidgeted restlessly, feet drawing randomly on the ground as he contemplated the right words to speak.
"If it's possible, may I request a favour?"
The blonde Hokage slowly peeled open her eyes as they rolled to stare at his curiously. Sensing nothing menacing or suspicious, she offered a nod.
Satou Ryou smiled.
When a beautiful family is torn up.
When a beautiful fairytale ends.
When everything's made to be broken. When everything comes to an end.
Would you cling on to something that is begging to leave? Or will you chose to let it fly?
The soft scrunching of dried up grasses being stepped on and the chattering of a young boy were the only sound that filled the forest. His fingers slipped and intertwined with the older girl's hand firmly.
Tighter than usual, actually.
The two trailed behind the raven-haired Uchiha, who was leading the way, hands deep in his bottom wear. His eyes were closed, taking in the serene scenery. Hashi took a moment to examine his surroundings again, the glint in his eyes dimmer as he tightened the hold on his caretaker's hand.
Trees… everywhere…
He groped on in the darkness, stumbling over every now and then under the gloom of towering trees and the oppressive silence.
Darkness… engulfing… threatening…
He continued on, sweat rolling down as his clothes clung on him stickily. His head swerved to the right, then the left. He fidgeted and his lips trembled in fear.
'Where…am I?'
His heartbeat accelerated as he wandered deeper and deeper into the maze of nature, the moonlight no longer showering him with any more direction or help as the thick canopy of leaves covered him. His breath came out faster and more uneven, his brains going haywire from confusion and terror.
His anxiety deepened. Pushing away the low branches, he was too distracted to feel the sharp edges cutting and scraping away his skin. It took forever, just when he thought he was doomed, the last tree disappeared from his view as he stood; his wary eyes scanned the clearing.
His eyes stopped and locked on a figure crouching over, back facing him. The figure was lying on the ground…
Lying… on the ground?
A feminine looking figure, black hair trailing down and tumbled to the ground behind her as streaks shone distinctly under the now full moon. Her legs crossed awkwardly, only the grey on the back of her top, the little hood that was slightly covered by her hair.
Black hair?
Even just staring at the back of her figure, the tears on the fabric was visible, the sole of her sandals soiled with mud.
"Nee…san?" his courage melted away as he felt her cries grow louder and louder. Gulping down his fear, he steeled him and took a step forward. He whispered her name again and again. Finally, right behind her, he got down on one knee and reached forward, murmuring her name again.
"Haruka nee?"
"…shi? Hashi?"
The concerned voice and the gentle tug on his hands brought him back to reality as he blinked several times, eyes scanning his surroundings again before looking up at the face of the teen. Ashamed that he had been caught zoning off at such a bad timing, he directed his gaze forward, only to find that the Uchiha had also stopped and was staring at him sceptically.
"Are you alright?" she lowered herself to her knees and slid her hands to hold on to his elbows, turning him to face her. Hashi took another moment to gaze around at his surroundings again before reaching a hand out to grasp the black-haired female's hand.
He nodded wordlessly, slightly distracted and listless. Haruka frowned and leaned forward, one of her hand moved to cup his cheek. She turned her head and glanced at the sixteen year old questioningly. He never caught her gaze, staring at the brunette blankly.
"Nii-san… wha…" his voice trailed off as he stared at his hands, fiddling with them restlessly. Taking in a deep breath, he shook his little head before looking up at Sasuke again.
"What would you do if someone hurts Haruka-nee?"
He raised an eyebrow at his random question. Of all the questions he could ask…
"What am I supposed to say?" it was nothing but a game to him, but something important to the little boy. Hashi leaned forward and scared intently at him.
"You'll protect her right?" urgency evident in his voice as he pressed further, repeating the words over and over.
And, in the end, a mute and frustrated nod was the promise he got. But that was enough for him.
'Nii-san doesn't lie…'
A dull noise sounded through the silence as the trio swerved their head to look in front. The unnaturally grey smoke subsided and a figure stepped nearer to towards them. Hashi visibly flinched and gripped his caretaker's hand even more tightly, pushing himself closer to the girl.
"Haruka-san, the Hokage asked for you."
What?
She turned and stole a glance at the raven-haired, who returned her with an unwavering gaze. Moving to face Hashi again, she freed and placed both hands on the boy's shoulders and created a little distance. "We'll leave for training next time, I'll be back alright?"
His eyes were clouded with reluctance, hands reaching up to grab one of her hands firmly again. Haruka furrowed her eyebrows and traced his cheek with his finger.
"I'll come back as soon as I can."
Hashi offered one more depressed stare, lips curving to a frown as he slowly, tentatively, released his hold. She gave a weak but reassuring smile before standing up again.
"Wait for me."
And then, she disappeared along with the ninja, away from the forest.
"Let's go…"
Sasuke stepped nearer towards the brunette, his hand reaching out to nudge the boy forward softly before he retreated it back into his pocket. Hashi gripped on to the corner of the Uchiha's shirt as he trudged forward silently.
No one spoke through the entire way back.
Her fist knocked gently on the wooden door as she awaited the usual gruff and irritated voice.
"Come in." She blinked at the seemingly calm voice. Calm before a storm? Her hand slid down and she twisted the doorknob cautiously, her eyes glanced around the room sharply before landing on a strange figure. Her feet slowly brought her forward as she stopped, a few feet next to the stranger.
The Godaime Hokage tilted her head towards the stranger before meeting the eyes of a confused girl. "I like you to meet this young fellow here Haruka."
She turned her head slowly to the boy beside her, offering a small smile and a bow. "Ashiyata Haruka."
The boy – probably no older than she was – eyed her for a moment, his eyes softened when they locked with her forest green orbs before breaking onto a smile.
"Satou Ryou."
She nodded and shot a questioning gaze at the blonde woman, who returned her with a smirk. She waved a single hand at the sixteen year old boy. The youth, understanding the gesture, nodded wordlessly and turned towards the door.
'Click'
She rushed into the interrogation almost right away.
"Why me?"
Tsunade sighed, rising slowly from her seat as she turned slowly to walk towards her, all the while rehearsing her lines in her head. "I hate to do this too… but we're really short-handed right now, and I need to have someone escort him around the village."
She gazed at the woman, her eyes disbelieving. "Who is he?"
'Whew… Luckily he saw that coming just now…'
"He's here on behalf of the Waterfall Country."
"For?"
The blonde Hokage slid an arm around her shoulders and steered her towards the door, "This," she stopped and flung open the door before giving the black-haired girl a gentle push. "You have no need to know for now." The last thing Haruka saw was a wink, a smirk, and the door slammed shut.
Leaving her in an extremely awkward position, in a deserted hallway with some… boy whom she had met merely minutes ago. She wrung her hands together while the stranger offered an amused grin. Ryou pushed himself off the wall he was leaning against as he gestured forward.
"Ready to go?"
She smiled before biting her lower lip, mind only focused on one thing. "Do you mind… if we visit someone's house first?"
"You're not a ninja?"
"Nope." His laughed, turning his head to face the girl beside her as they ambled through the streets of Konoha. Haruka frowned, her head lowered to the ground as she pondered over the news, her hands clasped behind her back.
"What about you?" his voice was unusually gentle, bright.
Such a huge contrast between him and that… that piece of black ice…
The thought itself scared her silly. Why was she comparing someone with him? Haruka shook her head rid of the thoughts as she continued forward. The boy eyed her from the corner of his eyes, scanning her silently.
"She'll be a beautiful flower when she grows up. A beautiful lady that will marry someone worthy of her."
"I'm a natural… dunce in the way of the ninja." Haruka grinned at him, unashamed as he laughed at his answer.
"But I did make it past as a genin," she defended half-heartedly, "Barely… I have low chakra level by nature, I gave up and worked at the hospital now."
"And your team?"
She sighed, her shoulders slumped as trampled the ground heavily. "Moved on to bigger and better things, those bakas haven't visited me since two months ago!" She stomped the ground with one foot and frowned grudgingly as her companion glanced at her, obviously amused.
"So you're always alone now?"
"HARU-CHAN!"
"I wouldn't say that…" She smiled mirthfully as the duo turned to look over their shoulders. Her mind barely registered the flash of bright sunshine as he charged and skittled skilfully to a stop right in front of them. Naruto beamed radiantly as his eyes locked with the black-haired female.
"Afternoon Haru-chan!" his energetic mood was contagious. Haruka offered a greeting as the boy switched his attention to the unfamiliar looking boy. Before he had a chance to ask, the chocolate-haired teen offered a polite bow.
"Ryou, nice to meet you."
The blonde ninja grinned as he bowed awkwardly, unused to such formalities. "Naruto." His attention redirected back to the girl. "You're visiting teme too?" Haruka nodded as she turned and started walking again. Naruto broke out into another infectious smile as he folded his arms ideally behind his head.
"Great! I'll come with!"
"Sasuke!"
'BAM'
Before the blonde had a chance to finish his sentence, the raven-haired Uchiha had slammed the door shut right after he narrowed his eyes at the dazzling brightness of Naruto's smile, clearly in a bad mood. Naruto visibly twitched as he trashed the door.
"Oi! Open up bastard!"
Ryou, standing behind the irritated Naruto, frowned as Haruka suppressed a smile. Sensing his disapproval, she nudged his arm before whispering softly.
"It's how they bond. Don't worry about it."
"It's… unusual…" he couldn't find the right words to describe as he continued watching the boy, banging the door like it was something sinister. Haruka broke into a full smile.
"Sasuke knows Naruto would never just leave, he used to taunt him just to evoke some reaction out of the poor boy. Its how they communicate, Naruto knows that too." She reasoned. The door was flung open in one fluid moment as a pair of black orbs glared at the boy at his doorsteps.
"Would it kill you to shut up for five seconds?"
"I'm not stupid teme; you would never open up unless I trash your door." He retorted smugly, his eyes peered over his friend's shoulders as the familiar brunette darted pass Sasuke.
"Nee-san!" He ran, he braced, and he jumped. Right into the arms of the girl as he locked his arms around her neck tightly.
Something was wrong… Something was definitely wrong… Even Naruto frowned. She caught the gaze of the raven-haired teen and slowly released the boy. Cupping his head in her palms, she spoke cheerfully – at least, as blithely as the situation allows.
"Come on, let's learn to be a ninja."
"Speak." She demanded. Sasuke rolled his eyes and cast a look at the female beside her, before turning to look in front of him again.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Haruka puffed her cheeks up and exhaled heavily, allowing the air to be released steadily out of her mouth as she turned her head and stared solemnly at Sasuke. The two of them trailed behind while the three boys strode forward, Naruto's appearance had been a major influence, with the little brunette now talking and expressing more merrily.
"What happened to him?" her voice was calmer, lower as a precaution. The young Uchiha kept silent, his mind reeling back to the recent events.
"He said he couldn't sleep last night."
She raised an eyebrow, her head lowered as she stared at the ground. "And?"
--
"You'll protect her right?" urgency evident in his voice as he pressed further, repeating the words over and over.
--
Hashi took a moment to examine his surroundings again, the glint in his eyes dimmer as he tightened the hold on his caretaker's hand.
--
Hashi took another moment to gaze around at his surroundings again before reaching a hand out to grasp the black-haired female's hand.
--
His eyes were clouded with reluctance, hands reaching up to grab one of her hands firmly again.
--
"Probably something to do with you." He answered monotonously, eyes sliding to observe her reactions again. Her eyes widened slightly, her steps faltered before she narrowed her eyes.
"Me?" he offered no other response, looking forward at the three figures again. His eyes focused on to one of them and he stared at his back quietly.
"That guy."
She blinked, snapping out of her trance as she lifted her gaze up to her face. "Huh?"
"What is he doing here?" His voice was still the same. Not a single emotion betrayed his face. Uchiha Sasuke was never one to meet new friends, heck, he didn't even like associate with those he know...
"Oh," her face twisted into a look of uncertainty as she answered him dully. "He's from the Waterfall Country, Tsunade-sama asked me to be his guide on his stay here."
Haruka shrugged exaggeratedly, "Bah, enough about that, it's not important… Should we… ask Hashi?"
"He'll tell when he's ready."
"But-"
"Trust him." His voice was firmer this time, utterly confident of his statement. Enough to assure her. Haruka's gaze darted forward again, glancing tiredly at the little brunette.
"Alright then."
End Chapter...
A/N : I'm losing my touch at writing these days...sigh maybe the right word would be, 'I'm losing time to write these days'... I just had two papers today, three more to go!
This was a shotgun update, something I've been doing very often recently, sorry for the delay guys!
Chapter 12 marks the start of the plot! What's a story without a proper problem? ;D
