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Cherry Bridge
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Summary Chapter 28
Uchiha Itachi takes Rokukan Sakura deep into the heart of the Indra's Realm. There, they first run into Uchiha Shisui, Itachi's playful and mischievous cousin, and then Chang'e herself, the Lady of the Moon. After an initially cold start to their meeting, Sakura and Chang'e conclude that Madara may be hiding his true self in the Well, a transdimensional pathway that connects all realms in existence with one another. Chang'e, descending in a fit of rage, disappears.
In the meantime, Uchiha Sasuke discusses Sakura with the Denka, who hints that he has the ability to tell that Sakura still loves Sasuke. This troubles Sasuke, who realizes that, despite his past actions, he may actually still want Sakura's affection. He also decides to investigate the underground lake just outside the Yumihari Temple, sensing that something is amiss with it.
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A/N
Exams. The bane of my existence. Actually, no, scratch that, math is the more specific source of my panic. Oh well, c'est la vie!
Anyways, moving on! This chapter is going to be packed to the brim with loads of sentimental, mushy stuff. I hope you enjoy it!
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She learned that Iryō Ninjutsu can only heal so much.
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Chapter 29
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Their footsteps echoed loudly as they fled the courtyard at a run. Shisui, his hand firmly gripping Sakura's elbow, steered her hurriedly away from the heart of the village, back towards the outskirts. As they sprinted past the night market, Sakura caught a glimpse of it from the corner of her eye. To her surprise, people were streaming out of the night market, each little group and company hastily moving towards different compounds, leaving the market lanes abandoned. An ominous feeling hovered restlessly in the air, prompting Sakura to follow several villagers' gaze as they looked to the sky.
She gasped in horror.
"Shisui—!" she choked out.
"Aa, I see it," he gritted out from between his teeth, "keep moving."
"But it's red!" Sakura hissed back.
And indeed it was. The moon, which had been a soft, luminous white upon her arrival, was now a burning scarlet crescent. The harsh, blood-red light shone fiercely over the land, casting razor sharp shadows on the ground.
"What is going on?" the pinkette whispered, stricken. Shisui didn't respond, yet his grip tightened further and his speed doubled. After what felt like hours, but was in reality a matter of minutes, the two of them reached a compound placed at the lakeside, on the outskirts of the village.
Sakura's pace slowed as she stared at the looming gateway uncertainly. As she hesitated, Shisui glanced back and said reassuringly:
"Don't worry, it's fine." He tugged her underneath the imposing archway, decorated with red and white streamers, and into the gardens beyond.
Sakura stared in open wonder. The garden was so alive – it glowed. Flowers nodded their heads to an invisible beat while the tall willows and firs swayed in harmony. Fireflies flitted over the waters of a beautiful pond, while glittering koi swam just beneath the surface, their flashing scales catching the crimson light radiating from the blood-red moon overhead. It was a breathtaking sight.
Blinking, Sakura hardly noticed as the Uchiha tugged her along the pathway and towards a building situated towards the far end of the garden, right beside a magnificent magnolia tree. She was so distracted that she nearly choked when Shisui called out:
"Fugaku-san! Mikoto-san!"
The names echoed in the pinkette's mind, playing on the chords of her memories. And suddenly, recognition sparked and she gasped.
'M-Masaka…!' she thought numbly, her head reeling. With wide eyes, she watched as a woman appeared in the doorway, the sight of the lady's face making her feel as though she were being transported back in time.
Sasuke and Itachi's mother smiled serenely at Shisui, her poise and posture impressively balanced. Her dark eyes, the exact same shape and color as Sasuke's, crinkled at the corners. Brushing back an errant strand of black hair, she greeted kindly:
"Why, Shisui, what a pleasant surprise! How are you?"
"Just fine, Mikoto-san," the younger Uchiha answered. "However, I have an urgent request for you and Fugaku-san." He tugged on Sakura's arm, pulling her around into the forefront. Immediately, Mikoto's gaze latching onto her, bewildered.
"Shisui? Who is this?" she inquired. Catching herself, she shook her head and then addressed Sakura directly.
"No, how rude of me. Who are you?"
Sakura managed to tear herself out of her nostalgic daze and struggled to regain control of her mouth and tongue.
"Ha—Um, no, R-Rokukan Sakura, Uchiha-san."
"Sakura." Mikoto repeated thoughtfully, "A lovely name. It suits you most aptly, Rokukan-san." With a questioning look at Shisui, she added:
"Yet how is that you are here, in this Realm?" Obvious confusion saturated her voice.
Shisui spoke up then.
"That's what I have to ask you about," he said, "Mikoto-san, Sakura needs a safe place to stay for little bit. Something's happening, I know it." Pausing briefly, he continued in a softer tone:
"Itachi brought her here."
Pain lanced through Mikoto's eyes and she swayed, clutching at the doorframe.
"Itachi…?" she whispered, incredulous. Her gaze snapped back to Sakura, this time sharp and probing.
"You know my son?" she asked almost accusingly. "How? Where is he now?"
Sakura's heart clenched in sympathy. The hurt and torment was written so plainly on Mikoto's face, that, woman to woman, Sakura could completely understand the sorrowful longing evident in her voice.
'How hard must it be for her to know that both her sons both suffered so much and are still suffering?' Suddenly she felt the urge to comfort the other woman, though they were virtually strangers.
"Mikoto-san," she said quietly, "I am here on a mission for the Stellar Council, of the Realm of Soma. Among the living, I was – no, I am – Sasuke's teammate."
Understanding dawned in the lady's eyes. She was silent for a moment, absorbing the new information, before she nodded once, briskly.
"All right, then." Turning to Shisui, she bowed her head at him. "Shisui, I will watch over her. Sakura-san, please, you are welcome in our home."
"Arigato gozaimasu, Mikoto-san," Shisui said sincerely. Accepting his thanks, the dark-haired woman voiced the other question that must have been burning on the tip of her tongue.
"Shisui, do you know if Itachi—?"
At that, the younger Uchiha male pressed his lips into a hard, white line. Regretfully shaking his head, he said gently:
"I don't know where Itachi went. I think… well, I think he may not be ready yet, Mikoto-san."
A long-suffering sigh escaped the lady's lips and her face shuttered into the emotionless expression all Uchiha were so famous for.
"I see. Thank you, Shisui. You may leave." She whirled around, her long, dark hair swaying behind her like a liquid void, as she called over her shoulder:
"Come, Rokukan-san, you must be exhausted. I'll make some tea."
The pinkette hesitated, glancing at the Uchiha beside her. Shrugging, Shisui muttered:
"I always give the same answer. I think she's starting to get desperate."
"Itachi never comes to see them? But why?" Sakura couldn't understand. These were his parents; why would he refuse to see them?
"Hell if I know." Shisui sighed gustily, turning on his heel. "Well, go on. I'm gonna go look for that rascal. Maybe, since you're here, he'll come."
"Me? Why would it make a difference that I'm here?!"
"Because he's responsible for you as your guide, right?" Shisui smirked in a very familiar way at Sakura's scandalized expression. "Yeah, he told me that bit of information while you were talking to Chang'e. And, you know what?" here his eyes regained their mischievous spark, "I think Itachi's got a soft spot for you. So, yeah, I think he'll come if you're here. Fingers crossed, eh?"
With those words, he disappeared, leaving a bewildered kunoichi behind. Slowly, she turned back towards the house, shaking herself. Following the sound of water simmering, she found Mikoto hunched over a stove, her shoulders trembling. Sakura stopped short in the doorway, feeling as if she were intruding as she watched the older woman. It was obvious that the Uchiha matriarch was crying.
"Ano…" the pinkette hesitated, "Uchiha-san?" The woman jerked as if stung and she hastily dabbed at her face with her apron.
"Ah! Rokukan-san! How careless of me," she hurriedly said, rushing to remove the teapot from the stove. "Go ahead and sit down; this won't take a moment." She gestured towards the sliding panel to the left. Immediately accepting the dismissal, recognizing Mikoto's need of privacy, Sakura quickly crossed the kitchen and quietly slipped beyond the sliding door. She surveyed the comfortable living room with its clean tatami mats and the long, lacquered table. She knelt down in front of the table, examining the glossy surface as her mind whirled.
'Poor Mikoto…' Indeed, the more she thought about it, the more pity welled up within her for the woman. Sakura had no idea what it was like to be a mother, yet even just thinking of Mikoto's predicament made her stomach twist unpleasantly.
'I wonder though… was she even involved with the conspiracy? Did she know about the coup at all?' Troubled, the pinkette stared unseeingly ahead.
"Sorry for the wait!" Mikoto's voice jarred her out of her thoughts. Looking up, Sakura watched the older woman elegantly balance the teapot, pouring the tea with effortless grace.
'No wonder both Itachi and Sasuke move so smoothly,' she thought absently. Then she blinked in confusion at the number of cups that Mikoto had brought along.
"Um, Uchiha-san? Who is that cup for?" she gestured towards the third teacup.
A small smile lifted the corners of Mikoto's perfectly shaped lips.
"My husband, Fugaku. He should be coming back any moment now."
"Oh." Sakura tried her best to recall Sasuke's father's face, but gave up when she couldn't remember. The two women sipped their tea in companionable. Mikoto waited for a polite amount of time until Sakura had drank nearly half of her tea before she began to speak.
"So, you were Sasuke's teammate. How was it? The team, I mean. How was he? Did he fit into the team? What was it like?" A shadow crossed her face. "Was he… happy?"
Sakura stared down at her tea, wondering how to formulate her words. Clearing her throat, she said softly:
"Uchiha-san—"
"Call me Mikoto," the woman insisted, her entire face and expression brightening when she smiled kindly.
"Then you must call me Sakura," the pinkette responded with a smile of her own. That smile faded, however, when she recalled what it was that she wanted to say.
"Mikoto, it's a long story."
"We have time, do we not?" the lady asked immediately.
"… True." Sakura nodded, already lost in her thoughts. Memories swirled before her mind's eye as the voices of the past echoed through her head.
"Well, then make yourself comfortable, Mikoto," she added, "The story began when we were assigned as a team. Our sensei was Hatake Kakashi, and then there was Sasuke, me, and Uzumaki Naruto."
"Uzumaki?" Pure delight washed over Mikoto's face. "Ah, how fortunate! Kushina would have been pleased, too." At the pinkette's puzzled look, the woman explained:
"Kushina and I were the very best of friends. We were even pregnant at the same time." The simple pleasure in her voice somehow broke the last remaining ice between the two of them. Sakura grinned right back at her and agreed:
"I'm sure she would have been just as happy to know that Sasuke and Naruto became friends."
"So, did you have many missions?"
"You bet!" Sakura laughed, before launching into her story.
"Kaka-sensei first had us do this ridiculous test. Somehow, we made it through and didn't fail, although I'm sure sensei regrets his decision to let us pass." Both women chuckled at that. "Anyways, after we passed, Sasuke and Naruto formed this sort of 'rivalry' – they were constantly trying to outdo each other. Whether it was mastering jutsu, perfecting chakra control, or simply eating more ramen than the other, they were always competing."
"Oh dear."
"Oh, but that was nothing compared to when Sasuke called Naruto a coward!"
"He didn't!"
"Yes, he did! So, we were on a B-rank mission to Wave, escorting a bridge builder, when out of nowhere, these Kiri-nin appeared…"
A sense of cozy contentment filled the space between the two women as they bonded over the one of the most beloved subjects in their lives. Neither noticed how the hours flew by, nor did they hear the nearly silent footfalls padding up the veranda and into the kitchen. Only when the panel slid open with a sharp snap did they look up in surprise.
"Fugaku!" Mikoto stood in an instant and went to greet her husband. "Come, we have a guest."
"I can see that." Sakura worked hard to keep herself steady as Sasuke and Itachi's father stared down at her with unconcealed mistrust. The chill he emanated was palpable, and tension levels in the air shot up at a moment's notice. Everything about Uchiha patriarch screamed for respect.
"Uchiha-san," the pinkette murmured, bowing her head. She didn't dare look up before she heard Fugaku speak again.
"I suppose I have you to thank for commotion outside."
Sakura's brow furrowed, confusion filling her until it overcame her fear and she blurted:
"Commotion? What commotion?"
Fugaku's gaze hardened minutely and he strode purposefully to the window, drawing back the curtains in a single, sharp movement.
"That commotion." His voice was cold. Sakura followed his gaze and her focus was immediately captured by the red disc of the moon.
"Oh." She grimaced. "That."
"Yes, that." The Uchiha agreed with her, stone-faced. "Explain yourself. Who are you? Why are you here?"
Before Sakura could utter a word, however, Mikoto came to her rescue. Laying a gentle, yet firm hand on her husband's arm, the woman spoke clearly.
"Fugaku, this is Rokukan Sakura. She apprenticed under Tsunade and was in Sasuke's Genin team." That caught the Uchiha patriarch's attention. His eyes widened the tiniest bit and for a moment, he even looked almost surprised. Snapping his gaze back to the pinkette, his tone tightly controlled, he demanded sharply:
"Is Sasuke here with you?"
"No, sir," she answered right away, "Itachi was my guide." Again, she had the privilege to see Uchiha Fugaku flounder in shock for a split second. She was pretty sure very few had seen the man this startled.
"Itachi," he repeated blankly. Mikoto, taking pity on her emotionally stunted husband, pulled on his arm, leading him around the table and tugging him down until he sat across from Sakura. Taking his cup, which was now cold, she stood to refill it. Fugaku didn't react to her departure at all, his eyes focused solely on the pinkette with piercing intensity.
"Tell me everything," he ordered. Sakura repressed her next sigh, sensing the man wouldn't take it too kindly, and proceeded to outline her task for what felt to be the hundredth time. Mikoto rejoined them and helped Sakura recount her story, adding her own two cents here and there.
By the time they finished, Sakura had lost a good deal of fear for the man. Instead, she gained a newfound sense of respect for him, when, during her story involving Itachi and Sasuke, flickers of emotion appeared in the Uchiha's eyes. It was evident that, no matter how stoic he presented himself as, the man was very much a grieving father, just as Mikoto was a grieving mother. It was difficult for Sakura to discern what kind of emotions flashed through Fugaku's gaze, but she could only imagine what he was feeling.
Falling silent, she tried to gauge how the two parents were feeling. They exchanged a quick glance before Mikoto spoke up softly.
"I am so very grateful to you, Sakura, for telling us all this." Her eyes grew misty. "But to think that… that Itachi was… Sasuke, he killed—" she cut herself off, looking stricken. Abruptly, Fugaku laid his hand over his wife's in an unspoken gesture of comfort, his face likewise troubled. Taking a deep breath, Mikoto looked back at the pinkette.
"Thank you, Sakura."
The sentence pulled on her heartstrings, and, with a melancholic, wry smile, Sakura confessed:
"Sasuke said that to me, too."
Mikoto's eyes sharpened, narrowing in on the younger woman's conflicted expression. Suddenly, realization flooded over her face and her dark eyes widened in shocked comprehension.
"Sakura," she gasped, "I… This is incredibly rude and forward of me, but… What is your relationship to Sasuke?"
When Sakura simply stared at her in silence, completely taken by surprise, Mikoto received her answer. Inhaling sharply, the woman breathed:
"I knew it. You love him!"
Both parties gazed at each other, astonished. To add chaos to the shock, Fugaku seemed completely unperturbed, as if he had already guessed it. His black eyes on Sakura, he asked in his deep, serious voice:
"Does Sasuke return your feelings?"
"I… I…" she stuttered helplessly. Letting her gaze drop in defeat, she mumbled to the table.
"I don't know." Quickly, she added, almost pleadingly:
"Please don't be angry with me!"
"Angry?" Mikoto sounded taken aback. And suddenly, the strained atmosphere split apart as rich laughter rang through the air. Completely baffled, Sakura watched as Mikoto laughed heartily. Beside her, Fugaku simply closed his eyes, appearing completely used to the merry outburst.
"Sakura," the woman finally managed to say, "Why on earth would we be angry with you?" She smiled radiantly at the bewildered young woman. "To say I'm pleased is an understatement! I always worried—" she darted a look at her husband and rephrased, "—we were always afraid that, after we passed, Sasuke would never get over the past and find happiness. We were so worried about him – what if he never recovered? But here you are," she waved her hand at Sakura, "and you bring news of your affection to our son. Sakura, it is wonderful that our son has not just one precious person in his life, but two. You and Kushina's boy… We cannot thank you enough!"
Overwhelmed and speechless, Sakura stared dumbly as Fugaku nodded in silent agreement with his wife's words.
"But… I failed him…"
"The only one who failed anyone," Mikoto countered, "was us." Glancing at Fugaku, she went on in a more serious tone:
"We failed more than any of you ever did. We failed as shinobi of the Hidden Leaf, and we failed Sasuke and Itachi as parents. We failed as a family. It's something we came to realize only after our ascent. So you see—" she suddenly stopped in midsentence as both she and Fugaku flinched as if shocked by electricity.
The abrupt silence startled Sakura. Whipping around, searching for whatever had interrupted the woman, she asked urgently:
"What is it, Mikoto?" Sasuke's mother ignored her inquiry, her eyes wide and wild.
"Fugaku," she said, sounding strangled, "Did you feel that?"
"Feel what?" Sakura inquired, confused, at the same time as Fugaku nodded, strain showing on his normally blank face.
"It's Itachi," he stated without preamble. The pinkette jerked, surprised, and her mind raced.
'How could they sense him here? There's no chakra in the heavens…'
Looking at the parents, she concluded with a rush of warmth:
'There must be other ways to sense someone. Maybe, just maybe, the bond between parent and child is strong enough to last beyond death.' Her heartbeat picked up as she braced herself.
"What—" The screen door was ripped open, cutting her question short, as, in a single, breathless moment, a tall, imposing figure appeared in the doorway. As if in slow motion, Sakura's eyes ran from the sandal-clad feet all the way up to the stoic, expressionless face.
"Itachi." Mikoto choked out, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. "You—"
"Kaa-san," he acknowledged curtly. His gaze traveled over to Fugaku, who was equally frozen. His voice lowered a notch.
"Tou-san."
Without waiting for an answer, her pivoted and, ignoring his parents, called out:
"Sakura."
She tilted her head questioningly, vaguely aware of the disappointment and hurt radiating off of Mikoto beside her.
"You have to leave at once. Something's happened."
"What? What is it?"
"You are needed. Now." His voice was perfectly controlled, not giving away even the slightest hint of emotion. He promptly turned and made to exit the building, leaving Sakura staring after him incredulously. Her mind went blank.
'Wait, that's it?! Did he just…?' A slow sort of disbelief flooded through her. Then shock. And then outright anger.
'He totally did!'
"Uchiha Itachi!" she called sharply, watching how he froze on the porch outside. His shoulders tensed and his back went ramrod straight. She didn't care, she was just too mad.
"Is that all you can say?" she almost yelled at him, incensed. "After all this time avoiding your parents, you show up, deliver a fucking message – and then you just walk away?!" Leaping to her feet, she cried out:
"How can you not see anything wrong with this picture?!"
"Sakura," Mikoto's small, soft voice cut through her furious rant, "Mou, yamenasai."
She swallowed back the rest of her tirade, ripped from her hot-headed outburst. Her embarrassment finally caught up with her and, feeling herself flush from crown to toe, she stuttered:
"Oh my god, I-I'm sorry; I—"
"No."
Everybody froze. Time stood still. And then Itachi swung around to face them all, his voice hard and clipped.
"You are right," he said from between gritted teeth, "I was not taught to be a coward." He was visibly agitated, his black eyes briefly flaring red. Striding forward almost angrily, he breezed past Sakura and came to a halt merely three feet away from his parents. For a long, agonizing moment, they stared at each other. Father, mother, and son. And then Itachi spoke up again.
"I am sorry."
He may just as well have dropped a bomb in their midst. Mikoto, her eyes widening, gasped and immediately began stammering something in reply, while Fugaku simply sat back, his expression blank.
"Itachi! You don't need to apologize! It was—I mean, we—no, how can I ever—" Mikoto's panicked rambling was cut off as Fugaku finally stirred. Slowly, every movement perfectly controlled, the Uchiha patriarch rose, his eyes never leaving his son.
And then the world turned upside down and the silence splintered as Fugaku dipped his head and bowed at the waist, lowering himself in front of his son.
"It is not you who should be apologizing. If anyone… it should be me. I am sorry for failing you… my son."
Itachi took a step back, his composure shattered in an instant, completely floored. Undefinable emotions flickered rapidly over his face, so fast that Sakura couldn't possibly keep up. The young Uchiha swallowed, hard, his voice strangely thick, as he replied:
"It was not your fault."
"Oh, but it was!" this time, it was Mikoto who spoke. Regaining her balance, the frantic woman smoothed her apron out, calming herself. Standing as well, she said softly:
"We have done you a great injustice, Itachi, and you suffered so much from our folly and pride. So much. Both you and Sasuke… Will you ever forgive us?" She moved forward, her slim arms outstretched and her voice to heartbreakingly pleading that Sakura was forced to look away, clenching her teeth as tears smarted in her eyes.
Itachi stiffened for a moment, before a look of wonder entered his eyes. Carefully, he moved forward into his mother's embrace, accepting her touch. His actions spoke louder than any words ever could, and Mikoto knew it. Finally, she allowed the shining beads to flow down her cheeks as she ran her hand over Itachi's pony-tailed hair fondly. Fugaku entered the moment as well as he laid a strong hand on his son's shoulder.
Sakura blinked frantically. She wished with all her heart that Sasuke was there, too, to witness his broken, scattered family reunite at last. She felt distinctly uncomfortable, feeling as if she were intruding on something inexplicably precious. It was clear to her that in this one, simple meeting, the nightmares of the past had begun to dissolve around the three Uchiha before her.
'Oh Sasuke… if only you could see them now!'
A gentle cough interrupted her thoughts. Glancing up, she saw Itachi gingerly disentangling himself, his eyes on her.
"Sakura, thank you. I needed that." The last sentence was uttered in a dry, almost humorous tone.
"Um…" her mind scattered, "You're welcome… I guess?"
Mikoto laughed then, sounding as if the years of torment had been lifted from her heart.
"Yes, Sakura, your intervention was most welcome. But now…" she gave her son a questioning look, "wasn't there something important you needed to hear?"
All happy, fuzzy, warm feelings dispersed immediately. The full urgency of the situation came crashing back down on her and she returned to the present in a flash.
"Right! Itachi, you said something had happened…?"
His face grave, he told her:
"I cannot explain it here; we most go to Well as soon as possible."
"Then let's go!" Darting to the door, Sakura remembered in the last second to turn and bow before the two Uchiha.
"Mikoto-san, Fugaku-san… thank you so much for letting me stay."
"No, we thank you." Happiness shone in Mikoto's eyes, "You have brought the beginnings of peace back to our family. You have all our gratitude and more, Sakura!"
Fugaku nodded, adding:
"May your task be successful… Sakura-san."
It was the first time he'd addressed her by name. Almost choking on all the emotions, Sakura bowed again, saying:
"Thank you, Uchiha-san. When… when I go back… I'll tell Sasuke about this meeting. I'm sure hearing about his parents will make him happy, especially how his family has finally been reunited."
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As Sasuke carefully placed Sakura's unmoving body on the couch, he unintentionally caught snatches of Tamaki's voice as it floated out from the room next door.
"—and I also saw him, that horrible man…"
"Madara?" Neko-baa rasped angrily. "Was he also in your vision, Tamaki?"
"Hai… He was sitting on a throne of bones, baa-sama…" Disgust coiled in the young woman's voice. "Somehow, the air around him rippled, almost like water. He wasn't doing anything, but his hands were locked in some sort of sign. It wasn't any of the twelve normal signs, either…"
"It must be a bloodline limit sign, then."
"I think so too, baa-sama."
Brooding silence settled over the two. Sasuke, running one last cursory glance over Sakura's form, turned to leave. He was stopped however, when Tamaki inquired:
"Baa-sama, what is Sasuke-san doing here?"
"He is guarding someone," the Elder Cat replied, "a Rokukan by the name of Sakura."
"Rokukan?" A sharp tone entered Tamaki's voice. "Is that the Clan with the silver star on a black background?"
"That is correct."
"I almost forgot, but this just reminded me," Tamaki said urgently, "Baa-sama, that symbol, the symbol of the Rokukan… It was branded into Madara's forehead."
"Nani?!"
At that, Sasuke straightened, suddenly interested. Pushing forward and entering the room, he asked sharply:
"What else did you see?"
When Tamaki only stared at him with huge, round eyes, he sighed in annoyance and impatience.
"You mentioned he was surrounded by water and bones," he quoted her, "Was there anything else?" A sneaking suspicion stole through him, and, on a hunch, he inquired:
"Were there lines on the walls?"
"Lines?" Finally, Tamaki regained her tongue and stopped gaping at him. Her brow furrowed as she pondered his question, trying to remember. Just when Sasuke was about to tell her to forget about it, she brightened.
"Yes! Actually, yes, there were. Black lines, Uchiha-san, running all over the floor and the walls."
Sasuke's head reeled; he hardly heard Neko-baa asking him something in her hoarse, cracked voice.
"What?"
"I said," the Elder Cat repeated, "Does this description sound familiar to you?"
"Aa…" Sasuke finally replied, "I think I know the place." He was itching to leave, and Neko-baa noticed right away. Climbing to her feet with a groan, she called:
"Hina, Denka." The two cats appeared out of nowhere. "Stay here with the others. Watch over Rokukan-san."
"Hai, Neko-baa-sama," the felines chorused. Denka, his ears, whiskers and tail twitching eagerly, asked:
"You have found Madara, yes?" He was almost spitting in excitement while the fur on his back rose.
"We may have," the Elder Cat answered, "But, please, stay put. Your curiosity must be put on hold for the moment. Sasuke," she glanced at the stoic young man, "lead the way. Tamaki and I are coming with you."
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Sakura had never run so fast in her entire life. Sprinting, surging, running – she pushed herself to the very limit, not even noticing how Itachi began to lag behind. After hastily bidding Sasuke's parents good-bye – promising a teary-eyed Mikoto to send their regards to the younger son – Sakura shot off into the dark which lay beyond the compound. From behind her, she could hear Itachi calling for her, trying to catch up.
She sped past the village, dodging buildings and market stalls, dashing down the shore of the lake to the eerie waters of the Well. She nearly tumbled into the water, but a pale hand shot out, grabbing her by the wrist and keeping her from falling.
"Fool!" Itachi exclaimed, "I told you to wait!"
Numb and dizzy with all the excitement, Sakura hung in his grasp limply as he scolded her like an errant child.
"You should have waited for me! I still have to explain what's going on, stupid!"
"I'm sorry," she muttered, still breathing hard. Itachi's gaze softened somewhat before he gave her one last shake and released her.
"Good, now listen," he said, "A while ago, Shisui found me and persuaded me to go find you. On the way to the Uchiha compound, we saw Chang'e." His eyes flickered. "She was hovering on the surface of the Well, in the center of the lake."
"What happened then?"
"I'm not entirely sure," the Uchiha replied, his tone darkening, "There was a sound like a thunderclap and then this roaring – almost like a waterfall. And in the next second, the waters of the Well encircled her and pulled her down into the depths. And the worst part is…" Itachi paused, then gestured towards the sky. Looking up, Sakura sucked in a startled breath. The moon was no longer completely red, but half and half. One side was still scarlet, yet the other side…
"Impossible…!" she gasped.
… the other side was black. Dead. Snuffed out.
"Is she okay?" Sakura asked frantically. The implications of the sight scared her. If Indra's Guardian disappeared, what would be stopping disaster from befalling the Realm?
"I don't know," came Itachi's dreaded answer. Feeling sick, Sakura stared sightlessly into the lake. A gentle, but encouraging touch on her shoulder called for her attention. Looking up, Sakura found herself unable to look away from the Uchiha's eyes. His eyes, she noted somewhat absentmindedly, were actually gray with a darker rim around the irises.
"Sakura, I know I said that no living person has ever ventured into the Well from here," he said seriously, "but it seems to me there is no other way here. You must try."
She swallowed hard, feeling fear coiling in her stomach.
"And what about you?" she asked, her voice barely over a whisper, "Are you coming with me?"
Shaking his head regretfully, Itachi explained:
"I cannot; if I were to step in the Well, it simply would transport me to the next Realm. There is no way for me to stop between Realms. But you… there's a chance you can, and I strongly suspect that you will find a way to navigate wherever you wish to go."
"But I have no idea what to do!" To Sakura's horror, there were tears brimming in her eyes. Hastily dashing them away with the back of her hand, she tried to steady herself.
"I don't even know how the Well works!"
"None of us do," Itachi's voice was even, soothing, "But you have to try."
"I don't want to," she whispered, staring fearfully at the waters, "Itachi, I'm scared!"
A sudden poke in the middle of her forehead stalled her brain for a moment, draining away the fear in an instant. Surprised, she looked up to see Itachi smiling at her with genuine warmth written over his face.
"You'll find a way," he said, no trace of doubt in his tone, "I believe it you." Releasing her, he gave her a small shove in the direction of the Well. She gawked at him, dumbstruck, as he took several steps back, still smiling.
"I am glad to have met you again," he told her, "And I do believe you are amazing, both as a shinobi… and as a person. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for Sasuke and my family. You have brought my parents and me a modicum of peace, and that is why… that is why I have faith in you, Sakura. Good luck."
XxXxX
A/N
EbonyEye: *bawling in a corner*
Naruto Cast: *staring at her, some more, some less concerned*
Finally…
Sakura: "Um… EbonyEye?"
EbonyEye: "WHAT."
Sakura: "… Are you okay?"
EbonyEye: "DO I LOOK OKAY TO YOU?!"
Sai: "Well, you definitely don't look okay with all those tears and snot—"
EbonyEye: *bashes Sai upside the head* "You disrespectful brat! Have a heart, man! The Uchiha family finally made their peace and you just don't get it!" *starts bawling again*
Hinata: *tugs on Naruto and Sakura's sleeves* "A-Ano… maybe we should just leave…"
Sakura: *glances at EbonyEye sobbing* "Um… yeah, that sounds like a good idea…"
Naruto Cast: *slinks off silently*
EbonyEye: *bawling louder* "AND NOW THEY HATE ME! WAAAAAAH!"
XxXxX
This chapter was difficult to write! I didn't expect the reunion to take so long, to be completely honest. Actually, I also underestimated how much it would take out of me. Family is such a tricky thing, really. They can be so strong, but at the same time, so easy to unbalance. It's always heartbreaking to see families fall apart and crumble into dust. And when I got to the part where Sakura sympathizes with Mikoto's situation… OMG just imagine it! Mikoto was killed be one of her sons and spends her existence in heaven worrying about what had become of both Itachi and Sasuke. And then later she finds out that her younger son killed her elder after sinking into the darkness of hatred. How can anything about this story not be counted as emotionally crippling?
…
Well, um, anyways.
Thank you as always for reading my story. I had expected to reach some more action-packed scenes by now, but this chapter became the closing scene of the sentimental part. From now on, it shoulder be getting more interesting. I'm so, so sorry, everyone! I know this must be getting a little tedious, but please, don't give up on me quite yet!
Leave a review if you like; it helps me immensely! I love you guys.
Ja ne!
EbonyEye
XxXxX
Iryō Ninjutsu – Medical Ninjutsu
"Masaka!" – "No way!" or, "Unreal!"
"Mou, yamenasai" – "Enough, stop", or "enough, give up"
