THE DIVINE SHARINGAN
By: Lady JenDragon
Disclaimer: Don't own it.
Author's Notes: It's going to be a while before I put up another chapter after this. I'm close to graduation. I'll be back but school needs to be my first priority. Hopefully, I'll have something sooner than then. Until then, enjoy this one.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Jumbled Emotions
Sakura paced back and forth, her thoughts a thorough mess of turmoil laced with chaos. Kakashi failed to mention a lot of things. But it was not just to her. He did that with most everyone. She could hardly hate him for doing what he always did. Keeping people at arms length was Hatake Kakashi's forte. But he did not tell her about Sasuke and his little mission. That ate away at her. Why would he do something so hurtful? Lost in thought, Sakura did not notice the second shadow appear next to hers.
"What, Sasuke's not enough?" An irritated voice asked from behind.
"What are you talking about Ino?" Sakura spun around to face Yamanaka Ino.
Great, the last person she wanted to see. And Ino had a smile on her face that read 'I know something'. Sakura wanted to sort out how she felt about these rumors unfolding all around Konoha about her. Where they came from and who spread them.
"First Sasuke and now Kakashi?" Ino folded her arms. "Sticking to just your team? Wow, I thought you were better than that."
Sakura's head hurt from Ino's mind game. What the hell was she talking about now? First Sasuke? Now Kakashi? Game? What game? As if she had time for anything else let alone rumor games. What kind of sick game was being played here? And why was she at the center of it?
Ino frowned at just Sakura's confused look. "Why so confused, Sakura-chan? Finding it difficult dating both Sasuke and Kakashi at once?"
"Are you on something?" Sakura returned angrily, hands on her hips. "Honestly, are you still sick? I don't know why you constantly want to start something with me!"
"Does that mean you're not dating both of them?" Ino pushed.
"I'm not dating anyone!" Sakura insisted. "Where have you heard these crazy rumors?"
She had to fist her hand to keep her anger in check. Not that it would stop it altogether. Nothing would hold her back if Ino would ever make her point. Talk about beating around the bush. Sakura just wanted to escape Konoha for a while.
"Doesn't really matter, does it?" Ino kept her arms at her sides. "Two men at once? Why, many girls wish they could have just one. But you, you have two!"
Ino held up two fingers for Sakura, in case she could not count. The girl looked ready to explode. Considering everything she heard within the last 24 hours, Sakura could handle just about anything. Besides, Sakura was the smartest of the class.
"Please." Sakura rolled her eyes. "I don't know where you get your info but you are mistaken. Kaka-sensei dates no one. Let alone Sasuke. And I'm not interested in either."
"Ah, the denial comes at last!" Ino shook her head. "You shouldn't be so obvious, Sakura! A woman rarely wants her true emotions to be read by others except for the men she wants most. And to think I thought you gave up on dating when Sasuke left all those years ago."
"I don't have time for this!" Sakura rubbed her face impatiently.
"You mean you haven't noticed?" Ino smiled at getting Sakura to pause long enough to listen. "The way Kakashi looks at you? Seems he can't keep his eye off you lately. Don't tell me you haven't noticed."
Ino covered her right eye with her hand and lingered longingly on Sakura with the other. Sakura's eyes widened, the slight crease between her two eyes were of silent realization. Did Yamanaka Ino know how to read her old friend, or what?
"How he lingers on you when you're not looking?" Ino continued making sure she kept eye contact with Sakura. "Judging from your expression I'd say no. Well, he IS a Jounin after all. If he'd gotten caught then he'd need to go back into training. Anyway, I'm digressing here."
Ino paused, finding Sakura stricken into silence. She turned away to keep from smiling openly. Sakura-chan appeared ready to breakdown at any second. Ah, the stress must be getting to her that she had been caught red-handed in such obvious misdealings with Uchiha Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi.
"Word is you're after both men. Guess you're still not sure which is the better catch." Ino waved her left hand as if she took some time to figure this whole mess out, a slight smile on her face. "If not the reliable Sasuke, why not the laconic Kakashi. Both are exceptional ninja's, I admit. Kakashi's not really my style though. Now, Sasuke…"
She turned to find Sakura gone then breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was too easy." Ino smiled wider. "Hokage owes me big for that load of crap."
Apparently, Sakura was going through a rough patch emotionally. Ino caught on once she heard the rumor about Sakura and Kakashi that something unusual was occurring in Konoha. Not that the new rumor was a complete lie. It did point out several facts everyone knew about but the remainder could be anyone's guess. A little twist here and a little twist there, you could fashion an entire line of rumors about two people from a few details.
Though she admittedly thought Sasuke was trying to date Sakura at first, Ino quickly realized that such a notion was an obvious façade. Sasuke did go out of his way for some reason to make Sakura-chan think he was interested. A play on Sakura's feelings from the past? Something in Konoha involved Haruno Sakura.
What made her wonder was the cloak-and-dagger tactics to protect Sakura by placing her in the company of excellent ninja for several weeks straight. And no one grew suspicious of the whole thing, not realizing the purpose of its intent. Sakura was the mission. That was the most difficult motive to decipher. But why?
Why was the Hokage was going through a lot of trouble to create a love triangle between Uchiha-Haruno-Hatake? All it appeared to her was a big mess on the surface. If anyone knew the secrets ninja's kept there was one person who just might know what was really going on. The village idiot could come in handy every now and then.
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Here she was safe. Away from people, away from everything. A small garden tucked in the back of the street just down from her house made life a little more bearable when she could spend time alone. But, now that time alone proved to be her enemy. All these crazy thoughts seemed to swarm her all at once. Choking her with chaotic lines of illogic and forming pointless hopes and dreams for happiness. No one knew what happiness was here.
Yet, she still hoped. That single glimmer of need to believe that something magical could happen never faded even though her childhood did. But, even that shook on its innocent foundation. Realizations blind-sided her from Ino's words. And now all she could do was dwell on them and their importance.
Sakura slid down the wall at the back of the garden, shocked that Ino was right. Kakashi did always look at her. She caught him on so many occasions and just smiled back thinking it was because of his children that bonded them. Every time her heart warmed that he even thought about her. But she thought nothing of it. Until now. Ino knew what she was doing planting such crazy thoughts in Sakura's head. And at such a time when everything seemed to be closing in on her.
'Kakashi and me?'
Absolutely insane! Why was this happening to her? Could she not find someone else completely unrelated to fall in love with? 'Fall in love with?' Where did that come from? Love? How could she even trust herself with that? She gave that possibility up a long time ago.
Tears fell from her eyes uncontrollably, her arms wrapped around her for the only warmth she felt. It was not fair. Nakane made her promise that rainy day when they shared dinner after a particularly difficult training session.
"You cannot just give yourself away, Sakura-chan." Nakane eyed her sincerely over a bowl of rice. "You must not allow yourself to follow in the footsteps of other Kunoichi in this village. To master Woman's Wrath no Jutsu you must keep yourself as pure as possible, Sakura. Only give yourself when it's real love you feel in your heart. To do so any other way will affect the power of the techniques."
"I…can't date?" Sakura asked slowly.
She had set her bowl on the table shocked to the core. Sakura never realized that dating had been the farthest from her mind since training with Nakane. Her new sensei worked long hours, spent little time on friends and kept her nose out of the village gossip. Uchiha Nakane liked to keep herself mysterious.
"No, you can date." Nakane sighed and paused before continuing. "Sex, Sakura-chan. Prevent pointless sex. This will require a lot of self-sacrifice on your part, a lot of self-discipline and determination. It won't be easy. Men want a woman who responds."
That was the secret to Woman's Wrath No Jutsu? Not having sex? It was not like she dated anyway since Nakane came into her life. Hell, she had little interest in other men since Sasuke left the village. Besides, as a ninja, if she could not focus and concentrate on learning a technique no one else could master then she had no business being a Kunoichi. But, this presented another question.
"How will I know when it's…real?"
"There'll be signs given to you." Nakane smiled. "You won't notice them until someone else points them out. But, remember this. If there's doubt, then it is not the love you're looking for."
"No doubt." Sakura repeated.
Even that was sketchy at best. How did she know what to look for? Nakane gave her no clues in this arena. Did anyone really know about love? Naruto had a few girlfriends who just wanted to get with a ninja of Konoha. But he was never in love. Was any ninja ever truly in love? But was that the real key to Woman's Wrath no Jutsu? She asked this question before and never got an answer. Her techniques improved but not enough seemingly.
Since Nakane's death, she kept to the 'no dating' rule just to avoid making that difficult decision. Besides, no one took interest in her anyway. Some were afraid of her Wrath techniques, others seemed to think she took an oath of celibacy over Uchiha Sasuke's leaving the village. Sakura made no attempt to correct either of them.
Just another choice made to carry on the memory of the woman who died for her.
First Sasuke then Kakashi. Would no one see the truth of these bizarre rumors? Ino actually believed them? Crazy, Sakura concluded. Hell, how could anyone who knew her fall for such obvious crap? Still, there were many who knew nothing about her.
And now, she faced everyone thinking there was some love triangle between Sasuke, Kaka-sensei and herself. Date? How could she do that to them knowingly? Sasuke was ordered to date her to protect her from some threat. What was it that the Hokage wanted kept safe? And protect it from Orochimaru? What could she possibly have that a powerful ninja like him would want her for? Did it involve someone else in the village?
Sasuke perhaps?
There was only one person to ask. Sakura perked her head up, hopeful for some answers to the many questions in her head. If anyone could help her, this one friend could. The only one she trusted in Konoha.
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The rain pelted the grass around the memorial, the blades bouncing with each drop. The green of the trees and grass turned grey-green with the on-set of the storm. Yet, there he stood in the rain, his head bent in respect at the names carved in the memorial stone. One his best friend and the other of the same clan, Uchiha. One he loved, one he grew to despise.
'I blame you.' Came the ugly thought.
Kakashi eyed the woman's name carved on the memorial stone. At the moment, he wished her name permanently erased for everything going wrong. The bane of his existence even in death. Harsh? Perhaps, but not without merit.
'You should have chosen someone else.' He gripped the inside of his pockets with fists. 'You should have left the secrets far away from Konoha.'
'What would you have done, Kakashi?' Nakane would ask him. "Afraid to trust someone else?"
She always enjoyed pushing his buttons when she got the chance. And pushed she did when it suited her. Uchiha Nakane did not fall for his façades or his laconic demeanor. She saw through most of his techniques and excuses. Hell, the woman knew more about him than he did.
"I would not trust something so…" Kakashi stopped, cut off by his wife.
"To someone so weak?" Nakane challenged over the breakfast table. "Sakura may be weak physically compared to you and I. But, her qualities far exceed my expectations. And she's improving. Doubt your previous student?"
Kakashi did not know how to take her statement. Sakura was 'improving'? More like molded Haruno Sakura into a soldier. And worse, Sakura did it all willingly, determined to become the best ninja she could. Nakane worked the girl to death practically. Everyone in Konoha watched Sakura's weight drop, her concentration grew severely focused and her techniques improved over 100 within a month's time. It scared some of the other ninja in the village. Sometimes, it scared him to watch Sakura being pushed so hard. Improving? Nakane downplayed Sakura's progress.
"What are you doing to her?" Kakashi had asked evenly.
"Nothing you need to know about." Nakane eyed him confidently. "Like Hatake Kakashi cares what happens to others?"
"She was my student." He returned.
"Operative word being 'my'." Nakane pointed out. "She's my student now, Kakashi. I'll do what I wish with her as long as she's willing."
That had been a long time ago. Not so long that he forgot about the conversation with Konoha's most mysterious ninja. He often found himself watching from a distance to verify Sakura's health. Some of the other Jounin kept close tabs on her when he was out on a mission. Not only as a favor to him, but to learn more about Uchiha Nakane as well. Nakane never cared what the others in the village thought.
"I'm sorry Sakura." Kakashi lowered his head more as the rain fell harder. "I wish I could save you from the journey and the danger you must now face."
Kakashi decided to stand just a little longer. The chill of the rain did not bother him, hardly a distraction. He would find a way to keep Sakura safe from Orochimaru. Nothing would stand in his way. Naruto and Sasuke could look out for her as well, but little would stop Orochimaru from trying everything to lure Sakura from Konoha.
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'DAMN!'
Too bad the person she wanted to ask was not around when she needed him. Sure Naruto would have discovered more info about the rumors and possibly about Orochimaru's involvement, Sakura stood with her arms folded. She brooded while she stood eyeing the memorial.
The storm finally passed, the sun peaking through a partly cloudy sky. Not wanting to stand in the cold rain, she decided to stop here before heading back to Naruto's to see if he made it home. Her eyes read Uchiha Nakane's name several times. Too many thoughts intruded her brain to make any attempt at a cohesive logical question to regain her focus. Suddenly, she felt a presence beside her.
"You look so glum, Sakura-chan." Tsunade made no attempt to smile.
"A lot's been going on lately, Hokage." Sakura shook her pink head. "I can't understand why everything appears to revolve around me. Gossip, rumors about me dating men I've never dated. And they believe it like its actual truth. It's driving me crazy. Everyone knows something but me."
"It'll pass in time." Tsunade shrugged. "Villagers survive on gossip whether it's real or not. Breaks up the monotony of the day. Not worth paying attention to."
"It's different when you're the subject." Sakura replied depressed.
What she needed most was someone to turn to for advice. The Hokage would not do in this instance. The older woman had opinions she often did not share. Even Naruto was out of town due back some time today, earlier she believed. She could not even talk to him about what was going on around the village. Her brain wanted to scream out loud just to blow off steam.
"You up to a quick mission?" Tsunade interrupted the girl's silence.
"Mission?" Sakura frowned. "You always ask me to your office."
"I decided you needed a tender approach." Tsunade smiled, holding a small square brown package between her fingers about two inches thick tied shut with blue string. "I need this taken to the town at the edge of ocean about two days journey from here. It's just a return message to a dispute they asked for guidance. You shouldn't run into any trouble of any kind. That area's quiet."
"I…guess." Sakura agreed. "A change of scenery will do me some good. Who's on my team?"
"You should go alone." Tsunade turned to Sakura, placing a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "I think it's time you attempt something on your own. The Jounin exam's coming up quickly, isn't it?"
"Hai." Sakura forgot about the exam with all the rumors stressing her out.
"I expect you back in a three and a half days." Tsunade nodded then turned and walked away, leaving the package with Sakura.
She stared after the Hokage then looked down at the innocent package. Looked more like wrapped candy to her. Perhaps it was. But who was she to argue? A mission was a mission. And the sooner she got started, the sooner she got back. Sakura set her jaw and walked off towards Konoha's main gate. Three and a half days to get there and back?
Ah, Tsunade was challenging her.
Sakura needed to make good time if she wanted to be back for the triplets pre-graduation try-out with Iruka. He wanted to run them through the steps several times before the real exam next week. And the Jounin exam was coming up very soon. Three weeks time? Hell, she could not keep track of her life let alone time.
If she did not change her thoughts, panic would strike her down. Shaking the confusion trying to form in her head, Sakura set off to get some quick supplies before leaving.
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Tsunade walked towards the edge of Konoha. People passing her waved and continued on. She smiled and waved back as if an automatic duty. She rounded the corner of the white building near a secluded section of the small park on this side of town. Glancing around, she entered the park and walked behind the thick bushes away from prying eyes.
She paused under the large tree, sure she was safe from curious eyes. Looking around, her face transformed in a man's as he took out a pair of glasses from his shirt pocket. Kabuto smiled to himself on a job well done. Haruno Sakura was on her way to the fishing village.
They would have her in a few hours time. He needed to contact the four ninja hired to track her progress from Konoha and hijack her along the way. Preferably the farther away from Konoha the better. A boat waited to take her farther north to Orochimaru's new hideout.
His job now was to prevent his ruse from discovery.