CHAPTER 7: UZUMAKI NARUTO

Yamato is a liar, because Naruto does not get to see Jiraiya or Kakashi.

After two days on the road, they set up camp at a small village somewhere along the border of Wind and Fire. It's tiny, with a single main street and filled with civilians who dress in various shades of dull brown clothes. "We're training here," Yamato explains as he weaves some hand signs, building them a sturdy house.

"My geography isn't the best, but even I know this isn't Suna," Naruto replies, crossing his arms over his chest.

"It's safer to practice the Kyuubi mode here."

"Because it's okay to endanger the random villagers here instead of the ones in Konoha?'

"Practice using chakra, not your mouth," Yamato repeats but there's a smile in his voice, even if his eyes are stern. A branch bursts from his palm, pushing Naruto into a wider clearing, oblivious to his protests.

From here, the days turn into weeks. Training with Yamato at the border is actually more fun than he expects, because the house he builds them is sturdy and comfortable, and there's even an adjoining hot spring where they would soak for hours in the evening. Still, something feels off, like when his favourite ramen is missing an ingredient and he only realises it when he's done with the bowl.

"What were you doing before you started training me?"

It's another evening spent at the hot spring.

"You mean babysitting you?"

Naruto forms a mini Rasengan and presses it into the water, sending a small wave over towards Yamato. It means Cut the bullshit without as many words. Yamato counters easily with a wooden shield that sprouts from his hand.

"I was in a division within ANBU." The answer is some sort of truce.

"You mean there's something even more secretive than the ANBU?"

Yamato clears his throat, but stays silent.

"Why is someone from an elite force babysitting me," Naruto says, thinking aloud.

Yamato sinks into the water, ignoring Naruto. He thinks he's beginning to understand.

"What do you know about the massacre?"

Sakura tells him about the scroll, about her exploration of the Uchiha compound, which leads to her feelings waterfalling out of her, about how serene she finds Naka Shrine, about Sasuke's unwillingness to ever talk about anything related to that day, about how Sasuke would always have tomatoes in his bento box.

Itachi listens politely, and the strange thing is that the more she talks, the less afraid she becomes of the man who sits before her. Itachi is less guarded than Sasuke.

She's never talked this much since the incident and when she's finished, her throat stings and her chest rises and falls erratically.

Itachi's dark eyes are kind. "You really care about my brother."

"We all do - Naruto and Kakashi and I. Unlike you," she adds sharply and Itachi allows his eyes to close. If Sakura can't kill Itachi right now, she will use whatever she can to hurt him, even if they are just shards of syllables.

When he opens his eyes, they are whirring red. Sakura gasps, her eyes snapping shut but it's too late. "There are a lot of things that I couldn't do right," he says. "Let me show you."

Sakura opens her eyes and there's no water, no smiling Sasuke. Nothing hurts.

It's nighttime in the village, and a much younger Itachi stands before Danzo. There's a temple behind them, flanked by two towering statues of gods. She's watching Itachi's memories.

I'd like you to make a choice. Danzo's silky smooth voice says. Either align with the Uchiha, launch the coup d'etat, and die along with your clan...or side with Konoha, save your little brother before the revolt, and help us eliminate all other Uchiha.

Sakura's blood curdles in her veins.

Itachi, in his ANBU uniform, is quiet. Even from the memory, she can feel the cold edge of his anguish, like surgical metal against tender skin.

Itachi...it will be a hard mission for you...but in exchange for that, I can let your younger brother live.

"He couldn't keep his side of the bargain," Itachi's disembodied voice envelops her, drawing her back to the present; to the cold cave, to the sight of the man before her, a single drop of blood running down his face.

Why…?, she wants to gasp, but nothing comes out. It's like the second time they removed the seal over her mouth, and for a astounding moment, there is no sound, just wet rasps. Her voice is gone. Why did you do it, she wants to scream now. Why did you show me?

The world tilts, and she drops to her knees to suck in shallow breaths as her vision realigns itself.

"I trust you with the truth," he says simply, answering her unanswered questions. "Danzo lied, so he has to pay. I returned to Konoha to kill him, but I was too weak. I don't know how much longer I have, but I'm dying. The next time, I need-"

Her head is clearing now. The sudden realisation that slams into her is cleansing and pure, blue flames of a fire.

There is only one way forward.

"I will kill Danzo." Her words surprise even herself, but even as she breathes, she can feel the resolve sliding inside muscle, hardening between her bones.

Itachi's dark eyes are pained.

Sakura clenches her fist and feels rough fingernails dig into the soft skin of palms. The jolt of pain is real; this is not genjutsu. Reality is the hell that they're both living through now. "Train me."