Sakura Demon of the Leaf
Chapter 13: The Power of a Bond and the Destinies Lain Before Them
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY NARUTO!"
With a big grin on the newly turned Six year old's face, the Namikaze was overjoyed to have been surrounded by friends, family and those closest to him celebrating his birthday.
Scenes of laughter, joy and the occasional Earthquaking yell of SASUKE! upon a hurricane of bad birthday puns from the blonde's best friend. But this day was no less a wonderful surprise for the Namikaze prodigy. For it was on this day that Minato decided that it would be time for both Jiraiya and himself to tell him about his destiny as The Child of Prophecy.
Of course this would come later on in the day, as Jiraiya opted to make his appearance a surprise and being a father first and foremost Minato would allow Naruto to spend his birthday free of the knowledge which would soon have him placed in a position of great importance.
Something which Minato was doubly glad for as this allowed him to settle into a more comfortable role as he could be excused of his duties in dealing with the heavy political aspects of the Hokage job and instead spend time with his family, shuddering to think that his son would become a negligent parent to his children upon attaining the Hokage position.
Coinciding with this was also how jovial of a time this was. It was good to see a side of life that hadn't completely fallen apart in this era of peace that was slowly beginning to heal from the effects of the last war.
While it was true that Minato wished that Kakashi was here to have spent this day with Naruto he knew that such matters of the heart couldn't be rushed and if they couldn't heal then Kakashi would learn to put it beside himself in time as he did with Obito and Rin's deaths.
It would have been better having him know that there was nothing he could've done and subsequently easier for one to accept what has happened knowing that Sakura was out of reach rather than have him lament what if scenarios.
Minato was willing to let him and Anko grieve, but to have ignored one of the last people who connected him to his team was only doing more damage than Kakashi knew by severing himself from such connections like that. But soon he would come to learn that he would be teaching someone who would truly determine the future of the world during their genin years.
The afternoon sun was setting and so too was the time where Naruto would come to learn of what was to come.
xXx
"Ow" Sakura squeaked as she tried to suppress the pain.
"Sit still child, I told you long ago that under my command you will not cr-"
"I understand Zabuza-sama but it doesn't make it hurt any less" Sakura interjected as she bit her lip as a distraction from the pain while Zabuza removed the Kunai and shuriken lodged within her abdomen, luckily missing any vital organs which would lead to almost instantaneous death.
To any other child this would be dangerous if not fatal to say the least.
To Sakura… It was Tuesday.
Whether she was in Konoha or in Kirigakure one thing remained the same. She was always in pain. But unlike Konoha where her torment was meaningless outside of a petty desire for revenge despite the ignorance of Konoha regarding Jinchuuriki, this pain had bore a lesson.
Look for a weakness in the Silent Killing Technique.
As of yet Sakura was unable to find one. And Zabuza wasn't even using his Hiding in the Mist Jutsu in conjunction with the technique.
"You know that blade does not suit your size as of this time" Zabuza remarked as his eyes looked in the direction of Sakura's katana indicative of what he was getting at while removing one of the Shuriken to which the jinchuuriki winced at, biting down harder at her lip.
"Why is that Zabuza-sama?" queried the pink haired child.
"Because your movements are sluggish and your strikes far too wild. Our target sought death and was testing you as he revealed before dying. Any other opponent will not make the same mistake and as such I will have to appropriate another weapon for you" answered the Mist Swordsman pulling out a kunai.
"What kind of weapon will I be using?" Sakura asked as Zabuza pulled out the last of the kunai and shuriken stuck in her body.
"I'll have to decide that in due time. But for now you are sleep so that the Fox may heal your injuries and you will be ready for tomorrow… The Mizukage requests your presence again" Zabuza growled, despising the attempts the Mizukage made to turn his weapon away from him.
"You know that I'll never leave you right? No matter what the Mizugake says" Sakura commented knowing how her master hated her being in the clutches of Yagura. Zabuza found her loyalty touching to say the least. But he tried not to let this feeling overcome him lest he suffer great pain at the hands of the Mizukage turning her against him or worse having Zabuza kill her in order to get to the Mizukage.
Zabuza answered with a soft growl and instead had left his Jinchuuriki to sleep while he left to seek out some weaponry for his subordinate to use in battle.
Though truth be told her 'very PRIVATE lessons with the Mizukage' were more than worrying to him in the sense that he was attempting to teach her philosophy based upon his experiences which soon after finding out that she was reiterating the information to Zabuza had been forbidden to speak of it altogether.
It angered Zabuza more than it should've. The Mist Swordsman felt himself becoming too attached to his Jinchuuriki and he needed to stop before the bond between him and his subordinate had shared. Such bonds were dangerous and should they grow beyond what was necessary for survival such bonds could lead to unnecessary pain for both of them.
And Zabuza wanted that bond between them to stop here before it grew into something stronger. The stronger the bond the harder it would be for the two to sever once Sakura outlived her usefulness.
Walking across the streets of Kirigakure with a light drizzle of rain indicative of the storm to come the dark grey skies had blackened as the night came in thick. Much was on the Mist Swordsman's mind as he tried to keep it clear and focused on his current task, but even such a focus had eluded the Hidden Mist Swordsman on this night.
It was a time in which the Shinobi world feared most. Peace was a powder keg waiting to explode, tensions between lands which had been released by the Third Wars end had begun to build up again with their vitriol this time being based upon the aftermath of the most recent war with its survivors using that as justification for more warfare out of some lust for revenge.
Truth be told the cycle of these conflicts were becoming somewhat tedious to Zabuza.
There would always be conflict whether internal or on a large scale. What was the point if nothing was gained from these pyrrhic victories?
After all, the Hidden Mist had known full well what came of such things and yet now the Village was in a true state of disrepair with seemingly nobody aside from Zabuza trying to do anything about it.
True, there had been insurgents from time to time and rebellions here and there. But what they lacked was subtlety and the means in which to defeat a Jinchuuriki. Zabuza had his weapon of choice, and now it was merely an issue of honing that weapon's skills so that she could destroy the Three Tailed Beast Container.
"Fancy seeing you here my Handsome Handyman" called a womanly voice from the darkness, her figure half illuminated by the street light with the other cloaked in the pitch of night, her sly grin forming as she had heard the annoyed groan of the Hidden Mist Swordsman, satisfied at her easy attempts of rousing a reaction from the man.
"What do you want?" Zabuza asked scowling at how his thoughts were disrupted by the dual Kekkei Genkai user's presence.
"Just to talk" Mei answered simply, remaining where she was, her alluring voice sounding as if she wished for the Mist Swordsman to join her in the cover of darkness.
"Are you here to waste my time or is this something that I should consider important?" Zabuza queried with his ever present dry sense of humour creeping into his tone.
"Is Sakura-chan someone you consider important to you?" Mei asked
"If you're trying to goad me I'm not in the mood" Zabuza replied bluntly avoiding the question.
"Answer my question Zabuza, is she important to you?" Mei asked again, this time her voice sounding more stern in tone.
"She is only as important as her abilities are drawn from the Nine Tailed Fox, had she been anyone else she would mean nothing to me" Zabuza snapped with Mei's reaction one of amusement.
"Then why are you so frustrated?" Mei queried, her tone now returning to her typical teasing one as seen in their many past encounters
"Because you see fit to bother me" Zabuza answered no longer wishing to indulge the woman about the bond between his subordinate and himself.
"Hm… I don't think so. This is different from all the other times you've spoken to me. If I could harbour a guess I'd say our dear little Sakura-chan means more to you than killing Yagura" Mei remarked which had earned the ire of the Mist Swordsman.
"No. All that child is and everything that has corresponded to her existence was a mistake, by all accounts she should have died long ago and if not dead then in the claws of those who seek to use her. I simply got to her first and as such I will use her until I no longer need her" Zabuza explained with such ice cold bitterness and straight to the point conveyance in his tone that he wanted Mei to get a loud and clear message that the bond shared between the two were a means to an end and nothing more.
"So tell me, when will you no longer need her?" Mei asked which had Zabuza cornered as he attempted to utter a response.
True, Zabuza needed Sakura to kill the Mizukage, but Zabuza had realised that upon doing so he'd be branded a Missing Nin and have no choice but to escape with Sakura as a power play insurance that no money hungry fool thought him an easy target on his own lest his reputation fail him.
If that was the case then why did he feel guilty about this? Before Sakura entered the picture all Zabuza had planned everything out but now it felt harrowing to say the least now that he had to watch over more than the cold steel of a weapon.
Even if he tried to keep her away and his bond with her as simple as it could possibly get. His decisions affected those he travelled with, his influence directly tied into her wellbeing and especially considering her developmental years would ultimately shape up the kind of person she would become.
None of this had occurred to the Mist Nin before, having been so consumed by his goal that he had yet to understand that which he was using was by all accounts, human.
"Now you understand" Mei stated in a grave tone.
"Understand what?" Zabuza queried to make her point crystal clear.
"Just how important it is to a girl's heart that you tread carefully with these bonds, no matter how small or how desperate they are to reach out and connect with you. Know that your actions are only going to cause more pain by severing them than you would embrace them!" Mei stated coldly, with a seething anger to her words yet a tone that conveyed some kind of tender emotion that Zabuza had recognised within himself regarding his own feelings towards the woman who stood before him.
A deafening silence had hushed over the two as Mei realised her position and why it was important to remain discreet so long as Yagura remained in power for the two of them.
Even despite how both of them felt, the two had known such pain would come of it and had hoped that once it ended perhaps something could be done about this wound within their bond.
"So what do you suggest?" Zabuza queried despite the stinging pain he felt in his chest, still fresh from the woman's words who had cut far deeper than he expected.
"We organise Sakura a little 'birthday present'" Mei replied with Zabuza sighing but ultimately relenting considering that this may as well tie into his plans of getting the child a more suitable weapon for her combat capabilities.
"As much as I disagree with your intent to coddle her, I already have something in mind" Zabuza stated before going into the details of what he wished to get her.
xXx
Shogi was a game Hiruzen had often found quite amusing.
Unsurprising considering the game being one of the mind and of tactics. To some it may have been long and arduous. But to those of patience and intellect, they could plan ahead and usurp victory from the first move.
Unfortunately he and Toru's first game didn't go so well.
The vengeful look in the boy's eye had returned this time directed at the shogi pieces he had played and subsequently failed him which had Toru half tempted to smash the board in anger had it not been for the fact that he was in the presence of somebody else who had invited him to play.
"Don't fret, Shogi is a game that takes time to master. Even I have trouble with from time to time when facing off against the Nara clan" Hiruzen said, before going to Segway into what he wanted to speak with Toru.
"For what reason did you have to test me with this game?"
"To see how you were feeling. From what I could gather back in the Hokage's office you appeared closed in. Shogi is a game of the mind, and one doesn't need to be psychic in order to gather one's mind during an emotional state no matter how closed off" Hiruzen explained which sounded reasonable enough.
"Then why did you not ask or demand?" Toru queried seemingly skeptical as to why this method was preferable to a more obvious one.
"Would you have told me if I did?" Hiruzen asked which had Toru's eye widen as he began to realise what the old man was getting at.
"From what I know of you, you're not easily trusting, and that in among itself is part of the problem, but one that takes time in order to earn. Much like most things in this life really" added the former Hokage taking a drag from his pipe.
"So to what end are you trying to convince me?"
"I'm not trying to convince you of anything. Just show you the positives of reaching out and forming bonds with others" Hiruzen replied, wishing to provide his insight onto the mummified child's little predicament.
"What difference does it make? They do not wish to befriend me and as such I do not wish to befriend them."
"It makes all the difference. In fact a simple misunderstanding can be cleared up only if both parties are willing to seek knowledge to better understand those different from them" Hiruzen replied to a skeptical Toru but the boy opted to listen to the rest of what the former Hokage had to say having been curious at the response to say the least.
"It's so simple it's actually quite comical to say the least" Hiruzen added sounding almost sarcastic as he lightly chuckled at the notion.
"You see the root of all ill intent as I have come to know it stems from fear. Not in the sense of your status, though I'm sure their parents probably won't help in that matter… Nor the incident now that I think about it" Hiruzen began still thinking up of ways in which he could help heal the rift between Toru and the Village's precognitive bias against any associated with the Hidden Stone Village.
"Never the less, it is from fear that misinformation spreads, and the farther it spreads the more likely it is that those acceptant of that information will come to strongly believe it to be the truth due to the majority having perpetuated its own variant of the subject matter" Hiruzen explained giving his insight onto how the source of conflicts he had fought and had seen Shinobi all throughout the years die for erupt from a simple case of misunderstanding.
What the old man said had made sense to the boy. And though it was painful to admit his own actions had indeed been rather violent and perhaps unnecessary to have solved this problem. But the truth of it all was that friendships were of no concern to him. Only the death of the bloody demon who had taken his parents lives and left him to deal with the aftermath.
"I understand what you're saying Professor. But I don't want to befriend others because they will distract me from killing that monster who killed my parents"
The former Hokage bore a much more contemplative look after reading the boy's writings. Perhaps it was too late that he had come before the Toru had lost himself to the allure of revenge and the false promise it brought of fulfilment.
But to give up was allow apathy to set in. And such a thing was pathetic and the mere inverse of the idealism that any Hidden Leaf Shinobi. The former Hokage had promised his successor that he would do all he could to help Toru and he was going to keep that promise.
But matters such as this weren't easily healed.
However hatred grew and festered over time to the point where it would overtake and consume beings whole like a dark creature that looked over all people. To whisper hateful things into their ears and convert them into a slave of their own desire and twist the context by which they could be freed into a perpetual cycle of hatred.
It was armed with this knowledge that Sarutobi sought understanding to properly dictate his next choice of words to guide Toru to a lighter path.
"And do you know why this monster attacked your family?" Sarutobi asked which had Toru ponder for a bit.
He… Wasn't actually sure. He was initially going to retort because he's evil, but that wouldn't have made sense. Why spare him and not his parents? Monsters didn't feel regret or remorse.
While Toru pondered Sarutobi could already see his work unfolding upon the boy.
To ask and question was what would allow one the clarity in which to see beyond hatred and allow one to seek the source in which emotion would have no smokescreen to mask the truth and how it is perceived.
Such queries only drove one to seek the answers and fill in the gaps of knowledge and eradicate desire for more until it is completed. Such is human nature.
"What are you trying to teach me?" scrawled the mummified Toru as he tilted his head to the side confused
"What I seek to teach you is how bonds can strengthen not only yourself but how their influence can be a positive force" Hiruzen replied gaining the Toru's attention for which Hiruzen took as a sign to continue.
"Bonds, whether through friends, family or those closest to you influence the other, and vice versa. Our actions shape the world around us, and the people who we call loved ones" Hiruzen began.
"It is from this that when we feel pain, whether emotional or physical we feel comfortable in turning to them for help and in turn draw strength in companionship as their influence grows between two people on a more subconscious level"
"You feel at ease, as if you could talk to them like you would a family member. And out in the battlefield Shinobi become closer than family when in the thick of battle" Hiruzen explained before taking a drag from his pipe.
"Know, that it is not combat prowess or chakra reserves that make great Ninja, but rather than ability to adapt and use the ties that bind you and others together to use your combined skills as one and work together to create something better"
"It was from these values that I had learned from my predecessor Tobirama Senju that with equal amounts of unity among your allies and friends combined with your talents that you will uphold the Will of Fire" Hiruzen concluded, being a firm believer in the strength carried by bonds as a force for good and the love for others.
Such a thing had indeed rung true with the Ino-Shika-Cho formation and for a time even the Sannin he had trained held a kinship that up until the point where they had all drifted apart was one that was closer than family.
But that was a long time ago, and Hiruzen would prefer not to dwell on the past lest he let his mistakes turn to grief and from there have such thoughts consume him and decided to return his attention to the matter at hand which in his case was the child who stood before him consumed with thoughts about what he had just heard.
"I don't expect you to be able to truly understand such a thing yet. But in time you will learn of such things child" Hiruzen added, his tone warm shortly before he had sent the boy home to take in the information he had come to learn here.
Perhaps the result wouldn't be immediate, but Hiruzen knew that Toru would come to understand the true power held by bonds and just how important they were.
xXx
Sakura heard the feint patter of footsteps above her as she awoke, slipping into the shadows brandishing Kunai as her mask glistened while she moved into the deep darkness, attempting to sense who might be coming inside.
Thankfully this time it was a familiar presence. She saw Mei Terumi and her Master enter the room prompting her to lower her guard as she stepped from the shadows to meet them.
"You really should stop hiding your beautiful face Sakura-chan" Mei stated cheerily as she approached the child who was in for a very special surprise.
The Pink Haired Jinchuuriki blushed at the praise given by the woman who held a bright smile much to the chagrin of the more downplayed Zabuza who appeared much like he usually did, although this time he appeared less sullen than he was when he had left beforehand.
"What's going on Mei-san?" Sakura asked confused as to what she was doing here considering that Zabuza normally kept his distance from Mei.
"Take off your mask and I'll show you" Mei replied which Sakura had complied, removing the mask revealing her whisker marked face with her eyes conveying confusion as to what Mei was doing, to which the woman had handed Sakura a small box.
Upon taking the box from Mei's hand Sakura opened it to find a silver necklace inside. As Sakura examined the necklace she found a silver ring at the end of it with inscribed Kanji reading 'Love'
Such a simple word with such a powerful meaning. This combined with such a generous gesture had the child's heart tugging at itself, straining as questions began to flow within Sakura's mind, trying to stifle as sound as her most prominent question was why Mei would do such a thing for her.
But this had only further served to flood the Jinchuuriki's thoughts with confusion. Kind acts had felt so alien considering what Sakura had been instilled with due to not only Zabuza's rigorous training sessions but also how she had never been the recipient of gifts since she had first met Anko or Kakashi… And even then those were a rarity considering how little time they were able to spend with her.
Zabuza softly growled under his breath as he noticed Sakura's eyes watering. It was a mistake to have given her such a gift considering her path in life was to either live as a pariah or live as a monster stripped of her moral conscience.
Such things would only bring her pain that stemmed from the heart.
"Why?" Sakura asked, her voice melancholy in its delivery yet absolutely puzzled as to why somebody would go so far as to give her something like this?
Momentarily confused by this behaviour Mei had soon come to realise that such a thing should've been expected considering what Mei could have assumed from her life beforehand. The lives of Jinchuuriki were never easy ones.
"Because you like I have known pain. Different pain perhaps, but pain none the less. So I just wanted to give you this to show you that there's more to life than constant suffering. And that sometimes a small kindness can bestow renewed spirit to those who have lost sight of it" Mei answered, her voice conveying a warm tone and one that was filled with unabashed sincerity as she watched Sakura's reaction turn to one of tearful happiness as she looked upon her gift.
"If you two are quite finished with your little 'girl talk' I have a REAL gift she can actually use" Zabuza cut in, killing the uplifting mood right then and there in his typical blunt fashion. Besides, Zabuza was never one for such mushy drivel… Even despite the sentiment being on the verge of bringing a tear to his eye.
"What I bring you now is a Short Blade and Fuuma Shuriken as your primary and secondary weapons in the field of battle. Not only would the Short Blade be better suited to you in Close Quarters Combat, but the Fuuma Shuriken still delivers the long range attacks and the power in which to defeat your enemies" Zabuza explained as he handed Sakura the Short Blade which had a metallic handle alongside a sheath which looked to be something she would strap to her back with the blade facing down so that if could be drawn in an icepick grip.
"Oh, of course YOU would be the one to give her weapons as a gift meant to cheer her up" Mei sneered, thinking that Zabuza would've at least been a little less lazy in using the weapons he had gotten Sakura specifically for the field as gifts.
"Well they certainly cheer me up" Zabuza retorted as he found himself locked in a glaring contest with the woman.
"Besides, I don't need you corrupting her with womanly possessions." Zabuza remarked which as many would expect fueled the fire of Mei Terumi and had resulted in a back and forth argument between the Mist Swordsman and herself, both of them squabbling like school children, all the while Sakura just sat and stared up at the two confusingly with a small smile on her face and only one thought running through her mind.
"(Is this what it feels like to have a family?)"
xXx
Today was a fantastic day.
Presents, Friends, Family… Cake. In his own words Naruto's birthday was 'the best one EVER!" suitably followed up with a fist in the air and a generally positive vibe throughout. However positive and lighthearted the day may have been, it was also a day in which Naruto would come to learn of his true role in things to come.
The Child of Prophecy.
A grand destiny that Jiraiya had told Minato to be true despite having once believed that Minato could be it. But the Toads were certain it was Naruto. And it only made sense given all that the Hokage had stood for that Naruto would be the one to lead not only Konoha but also the World into an era of peace. It was within moments that Minato had called Naruto upstairs to meet up with his 'ojii-san.'
Though Jiraiya's appearances were occasional, the Toad Sannin (usually by angry threat of Kushina's wrath) often made an appearance in Naruto's life, if only to give him the best possible childhood he could get in this time of peace.
But Minato couldn't help but worry about how Naruto would take this news. Best case scenario he would be overjoyed and accept his task with the hopes of achieving world peace to the best of his ability. But on the other hand his reaction to such news and at such a young age could place an unbelievable amount of pressure on his young life to the point where anxiety would be at an all time high for him.
As a parent Minto really dreaded having to put such a daunting task upon his son considering the toll it would take on his sanity.
However this burden was one that was necessary to obtain peace.
And knowing how much Naruto resembled his parents Minato held confidence that Naruto would be able to undertake any challenge and persevere through it to achieve anything he set his mind to.
The door to Minato's room opened to reveal the blonde boy who's eyes and smile lit up like a Christmas Tree upon seeing the Pervy Sage.
"OJII-SAN!" Naruto exclaimed, leaping into a tight hug with Jiraiya returning such an affection by embracing the young boy.
"Naruto, I know you're excited to see Jiraiya-sensei but we've both have something very important to talk about" Minato interjected with Naruto's expression changing from a bright, gleaming smile to one of confusion.
"Huh? What do ya mean Dad?" Naruto asked while the Toad Sage just smiled at the innocent young boy, so blissfully unaware of the great task he would soon have to undertake.
"Naruto what we're about to tell you is something that's gonna change the world" Jiriaya spoke which had the six year old looking at his Grandfather figure in awe and wonderment at what they were talking about.
Jiraiya had informed Naruto about the Toads and how Jiraiya had first became aware of them and how he had soon come to learn of something known as the Child of Prophecy from the Great Toad Sage had informed Jiraiya that such a Child of Prophecy existed in Naruto.
Naruto's mind was spinning when he heard the news.
He was the Chosen One, the Child of Prophecy who would save the world from destruction. He would have so much responsibility and so much pressure to live up to the Toad Sage's prediction.
But even despite the weight of the world being thrust upon his shoulders knowing that he would play such a pivotal role in the world and having such a tale with him as the titular hero was an idea that the six year old loved.
As a result Naruto was ecstatic to have been privy to the knowledge that he was the Child of Prophecy who would save the world whenever that powerful threat loomed to destroy the world.
Minato opted to leave out the detail of that masked man he had fought on the day of Naruto's birth, knowing full well that he'd need to be adequately prepared before learning of his enemy.
"I know you're excited son, but you must be cautious. What we ask of you is a lot, but I have full confidence that in training you to become a Shinobi you will be able to fulfil the Prophecy and bestow peace upon the world" Minato stated, with his words intent being one of caution but also ones of confidence in his son.
"Don't worry Dad! I'm gonna save the world, be Hokage and THE GREATEST NINJA EVER!" Naruto exclaimed, triumphantly raising his fist into the air. Excited that he was going to get trained to do cool jutsu and walk the path of the hero.
A/N: *sigh* Sorry for taking so long I've just been suffering writers block… and depression.
Honestly the most joy I've found in my life is writing and doing so has been a pain considering that as of recently writing dialogue is something that I've found myself having trouble with in terms of making it sound natural and in-character with who I'm writing.
It's this and a combination in how my interest in Naruto is nowhere near as strong as it used to be. Again as obvious with my jabs at the main canon I've just lost interest since I've seen the potential Kishimoto squandered with SO MANY characters and plots whether he just ignored them overtime or just threw characters into situations for contrived reasons.
And even with my own story I'm slowly growing sick of it if only because it serves as a constant reminder of squandered potential.
But more on topic when I was in a much better mood I was able to write in a more lighthearted (some would argue more heartwarming, though I doubt my writing abilities made it come across that way)
I was also thinking about switching up some points in the arc which I had planned and as such to ensure readers don't lose interest and move onto something else I opted to include a little bit of the Canon storyline involving a certain Tanuki Jinchuuriki which will end… Well I think you can gander at that.
So I guess the future chapters will reflect my depressed and embittered mood (which people seem to enjoy so fuck it, depressing drama away)
So in the next chapter prepare to see some lovely moments all being set up for some tragic payoff.