DISCLAIMER: This is purely a work of fanfiction based on the works of Masashi Kishimoto.
This fanfiction author is (still horribly pathetic at writing but) hoping she will one day find her literary wings.
Once I had a Sister
Chapter 11
A change of scene
Another twelve days and it would officially be four months since Haruna had begun teaching Sasuke – nearly six months since the unspeakable event that left one side of the village permanently vacated behind yellow tape. To take a break now from the happenings to survey the change that has taken place since then, one could see clearly that Konoha was not the same it had once been. Too many lives and too many unheard councils had taken place to ever bring the city back to its former ease. The Uchiha manor became an area seldom passed by and never on your own, jounin took the places of policemen, and while one boy in orange was given a wider berth than before, another who clad himself in dark cloth pulled further and further away from those who wished to help.
The village seemed to be waiting for something, anything, to happen; and if not, it was going to continue its song-less silence until something did.
The crow that had alighted on Haruna's windowsill three months ago had visited twice since then. Itachi's letters were short and gave no mention of his feelings but Haruna read between the tiny lines and sent detailed messages back about his little brother, little Sasuke who was trying so hard to grow up and grow strong. She wouldn't mention the candles Sasuke refused to light at the shrines, the dark rings underneath the boy's eyes some days when she'd come over to tutor him. And in the nights, while everyone stayed behind doors until morning, she'd send the crow back and watch it disappear into the darkness, never knowing where it alighted at the end of its journey.
Naruto yawned loudly as he walked into the kitchen, his nose following the smell of hot ramen because his eyes were still clouded with sleep. Haruna, who had risen at 5, gone for a perimeter check around the entire village for a morning run, and then showered and dressed before coming over to the apartment and making breakfast, moved away from the window she had been looking out from as she'd been thinking and gave the seven year old a hug.
Seven years old now, the Uzumaki was still a skinny, smaller-than-average kid. His seventh birthday had rolled by a month ago, a day that Naruto had never looked forward to before. They had skipped school that day and went to one of the best eateries in town for breakfast– a place that kept a roaring fire even though it was past nine and where they enjoyed pancakes with ice-cream and eggs with hot bread. (Haruna didn't mention that she'd henge-d (transformation jutsu) the boy to hide his whiskers and blonde hair so that he wasn't denied a seat at the restaurant. All the other customers saw was a hyperactive kid with unsuspicious black hair who said 'dattebayo!' after everything before his "elder sister" told him to hush.) They'd even made it a free day for Sasuke. Runa-senpai cancelled lessons while she took the three of them around the village, buying ice-creams and cookies and whatever Naruto was set on tasting (Sasuke maintained a steady silence throughout the day but he finished his chocolate ice-cream at the same time Naruto did). It had drained all the cash she'd earned from her job tutoring Sasuke yet on the other hand, there were six other birthdays she was trying to compensate for.
Naruto grinned, showing pearly white teeth with a gap in front, and held up a bright, shiny coin. "Look neechan! Money!"
Bless the obliviousness of a child's heart, the kunoichi simpered. Or more correctly, her stealth skills honed by years in the field. Naruto possessed a slightly higher than average ability to sniff out a trap (because of the many he was perpetually planning) but it was easy as breathing to slip the change from last week's pay under his pillow. "Aren't you the lucky one to have the tooth fairy forking out cash towards your dental bills," Haruna congratulated, seating him at the table at the same time. "No scary nightmares?"
"Not this time," the boy answered, to Haruna's relief.
His elder sister smiled. "Good to hear! Now, eat up before you're late; Today I'm teaching Sasuke how to watch clouds."
Ten minutes later, she was helping Naruto put his bag on and closing the door securely.
Then, while Naruto ran ahead of her (all the while telling her she was slow and needed to hurry up or else he'd tell the ANBU people she lost to a seven year old) the kunoichi turned, let fly a kunai, and barely registered the grunt of pain from the unknown ninja who had been waiting from the opposite street. Even if they were snubbed by everyone else, jinchuurikis still attracted more enemy nin than Haruna could bother counting.
Time: Afternoon, a week later.
Place: Hokage Tower, Sandaime's Office
If there was any time when it would have been helpful to have a civilian manhandle a seven-year-old jinchuuriki, it is when the Sandaime is watching through his all-seeing crystal orb and a dark-haired kunoichi is standing nearby silently, not needing to prove anything anymore.
Hiruzen looked up from the scene for a second, only to signal to the shinobi standing nearby to stop the scene. The old man's heart ached to see Namikaze's son, his blond hair so alike to his father's, curling into himself while other civilians either watched or walked away.
"Sandaime." Haruna said in a low voice. "I would not let Naruto go through this any longer. If you would listen to my proposal, I am sure you would find it satisfactory." The Hokage looked at the kunoichi for a long moment. She continued. "Hokage-sama, are you aware that Sasuke Uchiha is not happy in the village? I have seen with my own eyes his dislike of being around the villagers. Every day is a struggle for him. He cannot breathe freely here. If anything, the best thing he needs right now is a change of scene."
Hiruzen still remained silent, watching the orb with a growing apprehension for, though frightened and hurt, Naruto was refusing to cooperate with the shinobi he had sent, an orange-clad bundle now racing as far as he could away from both his attackers and defender. He closed his eyes, exasperated, disappointed, and opened them again. "Tell me all in full," he commanded tiredly, "then I will let you know what I think."
The kunoichi bowed her dark head low then raised her hazel eyes to the Hokage's wise ones. "Hokage-sama, if you would grant me the permission, I would be honoured to take Uzumaki Naruto, our jinchuuriki, and Uchiha Sasuke, my student under your orders, out of the Academy and out of the village where I will be the one to take charge of them. I can teach them, I can protect them. I can give them what they both seek and that which I can't, I will do my utmost to provide for them. This is for their sakes and not for mine that I ask this of you, Hokage-sama. Please believe me." She bowed again at the finish, and kept her eyes respectfully lowered.
The Sandaime gave a small, wistful smile. "I can see you have given this much thought."
"With all due respect, Sir, the reasons have long since been accumulating." Deep down, she knew the Hokage understood. "I understand that I am not in the league of the legendary Sannin, or like many of my peers in the ANBU. Yet if I am confident in anything, it would be that I, ANBU Wolf, would be capable of guarding them."
"Haruna," Hiruzen intoned lightly. "Why do these boys matter so much to you?"
Haruna thought before she spoke. There were a multitude of reasons, some which were too long and too intricate and too based on her own untrustworthy conjecture, to begin relaying. She finally replied, "One is my little brother. The other is the little brother of who …was once my friend." Haruna felt heat rise to her head, her tongue beginning to water in response to the seal on it burning. "This place cannot help either of them. I would take them out of the village and train them myself until they are ready for the chuunin exams five years hence."
"Are you asking me to make them both exceptions to our rules – that they would enter the chuunin exams with no Academy record? What of the genin exams as well?"
"If it is necessary for them to complete the shinobi levels officially, the Hokage must be assured that I would not take our jinchuuriki and last Uchiha to far for a visit at the village at the end of every year." Haruna paused to change her tone. Disrespect was enough of a reason for a Hokage to refuse someone's request. "Furthermore, Academy status is determined by exam scores alone, allowing the possibility of success even in times of imperfect attendance. If the boys can achieve the end of year exams, then I do not see why they should not be able to spend the rest of the year somewhere else, with my undivided attention."
This time the deep voice was stern, a hint of command layered into it. "Haruna, I can see you want to help but you must understand that, were you not such a well-known ANBU agent, I would suspect foul play and plot to capture two of Konoha's potential trump cards from you. Even now, this plan borders on ludicrous."
"H-Hokage-sama," she stuttered in disbelief, pained at the implication that she would have ulterior motives. "I would never—"
Hiruzen held up a calloused hand for silence. "My child, I have seen enough trusted soldiers betray their village for me to agree to your proposal on my own. Far too many. Do not forget that the neighbouring countries would not hesitate to lay their hands on these two boys should they know that they are far from the security of their home village. Do not forget that human hearts can change with the right amount of leverage, that they are capable of choosing lives over others. Itachi, your teammate, can testify." He stopped abruptly, the entire room deathly silent. It did not escape his notice that Haruna had paled, her hands shaking in her fingerless gloves.
"Haruna," he rumbled, his tone dropping to gentle. "I appreciate this venture of yours. But I will not come to any decisions without informing the rest of the elders and the civilians. And that is final."
He stood to leave. He walked past the kunoichi standing in front of him and reached the door and felt an ANBU shadow fall into place behind him, before Haruna spoke again. Not quite catching the words, he looked back over his shoulder enquiringly.
"Hokage-sama. I think Naruto's beginning to feel the Kyuubi inside him."
Hiruzen stopped. Not bothering to mask his surprise and anxiety. He stepped towards her. "What do you mean?"
Haruna looked at the old face for a long moment before squaring her shoulders and telling him what fears had been gnawing at the rawest part of her consciousness for a while. "Lately, especially whenever Naruto's had a hard day and he goes to sleep unhappy, he gets nightmares. I've seen the effects many times. He doesn't know what or where he is but he tells me he hears growling and just the other night he heard it say his name." As the words left her mouth the Hokage paced back to his seat, head on knuckles while thoughts hurtled at the significance of this news. "I believe this happens when he is agitated and emotionally unstable. After all, the village has been doing a good job hating him for the past seven years - and I am not heedless enough to assume there were no effects. Hokage-sama, this is why I saw the need for this."
"Very well." Hiruzen leaned back in his chair and Haruna moved back, respectfully. Both of them, it seemed, were done with the conversation. The only thing needed now was the Hokage's verdict and Hiruzen felt like sighing at the prospect of a sleepless night over this. "We will discuss this matter in three days' time, where I hope we can come to a conclusion that is for the best."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." She bowed and made to leave the room until the Hokage stopped her once again.
"Haruna," he told her gravely, "you provided a convincing enough argument today, but I would have you bear in mind the burden you are asking permission for. Remember that the elders and civilians will not be as ready to listen," he refrained from mentioning 'without prejudice' as well since they were both aware of the fact. "It astounds me how you appear in my office so many times." he murmured as an afterthought.
The kunoichi fixed him a long stare. "Well, with your blessing, Hokage-sama, it won't be for much longer." Haruna bowed again, and walked out the door.
The morning of April 24th dawned clear and bright in Konoha. Umino Iruka, rising with the dawn, took a very long time getting himself ready for the day; an uncharacteristic languor in his movements quite unlike his usual briskness. He washed, combed, and slicked his hair back lightly. Instead of wearing his chuunin vest, he had asked Mizuki for a black jacket the day before and now put it on, thinking he looked hardly like a normal chuunin now. Half an hour later he was striding north along the main street, in the direction of the Hokage Tower. There, it had been decided, was where a council was to be convened - and where he had to be before nine. For a brief second he was tempted to turn back and get to his class at the Academy where his homeroom class was covered by Mizuki-sensei that day.
Iruka had received the news about three days ago. Haruna had visited him again and told him that he was desperately needed. And that the council was going to be a fairly quiet affair and that no one who wasn't involved had to know. She didn't have to mention it was likely to be stressful and even more likely to fail; at the very least, she had said, it would be good not to look like they'd walked into their doom.
The receptionist led him down a long maze of corridors where he'd never set foot in or even knew existed. She stopped at a door, and after returning a nod to his thanks, left him to open the door on his own. After wiping his hands on his shirt, he did.
It was a large room, high windows letting in big shafts of sunlight, and a large table in the middle where the majority of the people present sat on one side of the oaken expanse. On the side nearest the door – and facing the people head on – sat Haruna. She looked up as Iruka paced gingerly in, and patted the cushion of the seat next to her invitingly.
There was just the slightest shade of dark under her eyes and a few strands of hair out of place from a hurriedly done bun that now inched closer to a ponytail, but other than that she looked fine. Not excited, but not daunted either.
"Were you up all night because of this?" Iruka whispered as he took his seat, bowing to the elders as he did so.
Haruna shook her head. "Sasuke had a nightmare and Naruto tried making ramen at four AM. I'm totally fine."
"Ah."
Now that Iruka had joined, the Sandaime, who had been sitting silently at the head of the table since he'd arrived now motioned for the doors to be kept closed and guarded and addressed the assembled party before him.
"Members of the gathered today, I have kept the subject of this meeting from you as I expect you all to be aware that this is a matter of importance and no bias or prejudice is welcomed or called for. Anyone who forgets his composure is free to leave." He fixed the table with a cowing glare that everyone else understood. He nodded. "Very well. We shall begin."
As the Hokage laid out the reasons of the council and what he hoped to come to a conclusion with, Haruna – having heard it already – pointed out the members of the council to Iruka, who was doing his best not to feel horribly out of place. There were the three elders, backs ramrod straight and dignifiedly surveying the council, as was Danzou, a few of the ANBU commanders and at the Sandaime's left there sat members of Konoha's prestigious clans, all of who had their own standing in the shinobi ranks. Yamanaka Inoichi sat next to Nara Shikaku, Hyuuga Hiashi beside Akimichi. They all bore the same expressions of attentiveness, pupils flicking to where she and Iruka sat, and trying to gauge the gravity of the situation.
"We have here Haruna, some of you may remember her as ANBU Wolf-" Haruna nodded politely and made sure to ignore the cold glare Danzou was shooting her way "—and Umino Iruka, a chuunin Academy instructor who is the homeroom teacher of both the Uchiha and the Uzumaki who also supports this position." For the briefest pause it seemed the Hokage was finished speaking until he raised his head and announched. "As am I." A ripple of surprise and maybe dissatisfaction went around the room. Haruna allowed herself the smallest of smiles.
"I had been thinking that action was expedient and unless anyone else has an option, I will join this proposition." Hiruzen sat down. "The members of this council may now discuss."
A long silence followed; the Hokage's unexpected opinion had its considerable weight. Then, from the far end of the table, the commander, an ANBU man whose name had long been only known to the elders and who was capable of arousing duty and respect from those underneath him, spoke forward. "As… wise, as this plan appears, I am curious as to its necessity at this moment in time. I have not heard of any attempts on the subjects' lives nor reports that are particularly alarming. Is the current state of affairs truly calling for a change?" Several heads nodded their agreement at the statement. "Both the Uchiha and the jinchuuriki hold value that enemy groups would be dying to get their hands on. At the very least, there are multiple shinobi who would die to protect them should the need arise. In the village they are safe."
"Respectfully sir," Haruna returned, "I would not have asked for this if I really thought the village was so safe. I do not doubt the security of the village but there is more to a child's growth than making sure they aren't kidnapped. Our Uzumaki, the Yondaime's son who gave his life to protect the village, is treated with open hostility that has not decreased even after I came to his aid."
"The jinchuuriki is unstable and a highly-probable threat to the safety of the village. It is only natural for civilians not to desire interaction." Homura-sama, tall and stately beside the Sandaime, noted analytically. "The boy is not hurt. He is still provided with basic necessities."
"And furthermore," Hyuuga Hiashi cut in smoothly, "if the primary concern is to shield the Uzumaki from the possible negative effects of living in isolation, to group him with the last of Uchiha clan must be recognized as counter-productive. They are entirely different in every aspect, require different needs, and may very well affect both of them in ways that are irreversible." The pale-eyed man shifted slightly, "If I may suggest again, one of Konoha's clans may be a better solution for a home…"
At this point of the Hyuuga's monotone statement, all three elders sat a little higher in their seats. "That is a solution that cannot come to a compromise on any side, Hyuuga-san." Lady Koharu's voice dismissed any argument. "We have had that conversation far too many times to believe we can possibly use it."
The Hyuuga leader bowed low and for some time no further comment was made. Iruka was surprised to see that nearly an hour had elapsed since the meeting had adjourned. For a moment, it seemed that no one would say more until one of the clan leaders stood up, Nara Shukaku, as his spiky ponytail pointed out. He turned calmly, quietly confronting the adviser, Homura and everyone else as he commented – as uninterestedly as possible - "This is a fairly simple issue. The only thing I would like to question in Haruna-san's proposal is why taking Sasuke and the Uzumaki and going on your own into the wide beyond would be helping fix this problem of isolation?"
Haruna blinked. "It is not so much isolation than beneficial company. It is not just for Sasuke's sake that I ask this. The emotional stress Naruto has been subjected too since his childhood has without a doubt left its impression on him, and therefore, on the seal." A deepening sense of unease settled over the assembled. Mentioning the seal brought vivid memories of the Kyuubi's attack seven years ago. Iruka inhaled and exhaled as slowly as he could, an internal effort to tamp down the emotions that Haruna's words had spurred.
Haruna noticed her companion's unease and continued softly, "I did not think it was a matter worth mentioning before, but now I think it only further increases the need for the status quo to change. Naruto still does not know he holds the Kyuubi no Yoko inside him but in his nightmares he has heard his name being called and growling from somewhere deep in his subconscious. It might only register as a figment of his dreams but these instances seem to be triggered whenever he has had particularly stressful days, thus indicating that the environment of constant exclusion he finds in his own village can affect him."
She took a breath as Iruka gave her a furtive thumbs-up. "I'd be putting him in an environment he can benefit from. And Sasuke as well. That is all this is about. And just for the record, "she added, addressing the elders here especially, "I would not use them for my own personal gain because there is nothing I can gain from it."
With that Haruna sat back in her seat and did not make to speak any further. Danzou took the chance to sit forward and ask, with a harsh tinge to his words, her capability as a teacher. These boys needed to learn after all – and even the experience of a hardly noteworthy ANBU was sure to be lacking.
Iruka's heart sank for as emotive (and articulate) as his partner's speech had sounded, no compromise seemed close. Sensing the impeding danger of stagnated arguments for their case, and noting that Haruna was not going to spend any more time building up the case, Iruka thought he saw the Hokage sigh disappointedly. He had been expecting a series of rapid interrogations but the heavy, thick silences that followed every statement made his insides squirm uncomfortably. He knew he had to say something.
From his position, Iruka had determined that the objections were to be in regards to the importance of having the boys educated – and it was from thinking of this in particular that he had a brainwave.
"If I may be so bold, Hokage-sama…" Hiruzen nodded his assent, which Iruka graciously accepted before standing and facing the rest of the council.
"This is not so very different from a long-term mission. Academy status is based off exam scores at the end of the year and there are often cases where some students are absent for an extended period of time and yet achieve decent marks. If we can arrange for Naruto and Sasuke to be reviewed at times that we can all agree on and maintain regular correspondence with them and their teacher," he beckoned to Haruna beside him, "I do not think they will be missing out on an education that is vital for their future roles as shinobi of Konoha. It can practically be viewed as giving them jounin tutors before they reach the role of genin. And Haruna-san is a member of the ANBU, which means she could teach them far more than any of us chuunin Academy structures can." He stopped for a moment before adding, "And at least she is actually willing to do so."
The Academy instructor could feel the eyes on him, a bead of sweat trickle from his brow. It was always this way whenever he pointed out whatever was left unsaid. As he stayed standing and let his point sink in, Haruna inched her hand to his arm and gave an encouraging squeeze. Spurred at the gesture, Iruka found himself continuing, "As you have stated the value both boys hold to enemy nin, under an ANBU's guidance, they will no doubt learn how to stand and fight on their own." He surveyed the faces before him, such a familiar array of opposing opinions, of selective kindness and hidden fears. It was as clear as if they had shouted it - the village could not help Naruto and Sasuke. These people did not have to hold them back.
Squaring his shoulders, with an assertiveness he never knew he had, he announced, "I believe this plan can work - and I will do whatever I can to help wherever it's lacking. With the help of our Konohagakure's leaders working together, we will not have to deny our jinchuuriki a childhood and our last Uchiha what he needs."
An unexpected ally, Yamanaka Inoichi broke the silence he had kept for the entirety of the morning to voice his own thoughts. "To put this as simply as possible, I have no objections to this proposal at all. The boys will, after all, still be within our reach. The Academy will still be the only option for them if they do not reach the expected standard." He turned his gaze to Haruna and perhaps by way of some consolation for his involvement the other time, continued, "And I think that above other persons, ANBU Wolf has the higher chance of success with the two anyway. I would trust her as capable for this."
The Nara clan leader voiced his involvement in the discussion once again, his habitually offhand tone hinting his desire to end this simple issue and go back to watching clouds. "Rather than discuss our reasons for this plan, shall we not just ask if anyone is opposed to this plan, then?"
Heads nodded, Chouza-san grunted assertively. "Very well," the Hokage concurred while Iruka felt safe enough to sit back down in his seat again, "who would oppose this plan? For if not, I will assume that we are all in support of this venture or unaffected by it."
No comments in reply were heard. Hiruzen stole an inquiring look at the rest of the elders but with the slightest shake of Homura-sama's head, no further objections seemed forthcoming. Not yet, at least. The ANBU commanders refused to object – the subject of raising children and not potential tools for the protection and security of the village had no further implications for them – and Danzou kept his peace. Half-formed in the rawest part of the Sandaime's mind was the understanding that most of them did not expect it to last.
He turned his gaze to the two at the far end of the table, one holding her hazel gaze intently on his, the other sitting with the bearing of one toeing the line between respectful politeness and obligated rigour. His face softened, for it hadn't been so long ago when he'd wiped a tear from Iruka's eyes and asked Haruna to join the ANBU. And now here they both were, deciding a little piece of Konoha's future on their own.
There was no longer any doubt in his heart this time. Hiruzen gave his assent.
.
.
.
"Now that took a while." Haruna said drily as they paced further from the council room and in the direction of the park. "I am so done with meetings, councils. Talking." She huffed, running a hand through her hair after she'd freed it from the clasps of her ribbons. "Remind me not to ever join a position of power ever in life, okay? If my life is spent in meetings where everyone only says about 5% of what they have in their heads, I'd rather go back to the ANBU."
She jumped over a puddle and Iruka followed, holding Haruna's jacket for her after she'd wrenched it off as soon as they'd left the room. "I'm glad they gave us the green light for it. When do you plan to go? And are you going to help Naruto and Sasuke pack too?"
"I'd say in about a fortnight, or a little longer. There's a lot of stuff to get ready, you know."
"I don't mind helping."
Haruna grinned. "I gotta hand it to you Iruka," she went on as she gave him a playful punch on the shoulder, "You should be a lawyer. From now on, you can do all the talking for me. I'll be the one who makes sure you've got plenty of things to argue for, okay? I'm really glad you did this, you know. Really." She was. The guy was missing a day's pay for this. She paused her internal celebration to work out a token of gratitude that was sufficient.
"I'll shout you out for ramen." Iruka's eyes lit up. Nothing quite like noodles with miso broth and pork cutlets on the side after a hard morning's work. Haruna didn't need to tell him twice. "Ichiraku. And I should probably bring the boys too – how do you reckon I should break it to them? …"
The sky was clear and still tinged with the red streaks of sunrise. Sasuke shouldered his backpack. Naruto hugged the box that contained the things he could not live without closer to his chest, listing the ramen flavours he'd packed into them. They were to be off and making good time before the rest of the village woke up for the day.
Next to them, Haruna readjusted her knapsack and punched the air excitedly. "Off we go! Say goodbye to Konoha because it'll a while before we come back."
They walked past the shinobi at the gate, Naruto waving excitedly to Iruka-sensei – "I never see you at the gate but see you later sensei!" – and on the road. With one raven-haired boy on one side and a sunny one on the other, Haruna turned her eyes to the mountains in the distance.
No one looked back.
Behind them the Konoha Monument watched their departure as birds flew overhead.
.
.
.
-END OF CHAPTER ELEVEN-
Authors Notes:
Done at long last! I guess it calls for a time skip when next we meet again, my sparse audience. You know what I like? Writing arguments. Really, if you haven't tried it then you should. Feels like writing your own debate.
Anyway, I'm trying to model Haruna with Naruto and Sasuke like Ur as a teacher with Lyon and Gray from Fairy Tail (which I used to adore but now just DON'T) so we'll see how it turns out. Now I have to start thinking seriously about how to end the story because I never really thought I'd make it up to this anyway.
Do ninjas drink coffee? Or eat coffee cream cakes? I'm seriously questioning this now.
R&R!
Alatariele C.
- in collab. with NoeticSky
P.S. I think that's just about my holiday quota done. Off to celebrate with hot chocolate and pancakes.
