AN: Note that I do not own Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, or any of the characters from either Anime. This work is a fanfiction written out of my love for the series and not in any attempt to make a profit.
Proofread by: Author and Kyluxia
And so, the unorthodox date continues.
Chapter 53: Pressure for pleasure
The conversation continued changing from there, as the differences between ROOT and the rest of the Shinobi continued to be discussed by Sai and the twins. After all, Shinobi didn't stop learning after graduating and becoming Genin, and neither did ROOT recruits after they graduated their own exam.
"In ROOT, fresh graduates continue their training in the field. If they've shown any particular talents, they are put wherever their talents have the chance to develop the most. While ROOT doesn't typically have any standardized teams or groups, graduates are always sent on missions alongside a more experienced agent sharing their specialization so they can learn from them. Once they are considered proficient enough, they're considered a regular agent and are from there free to choose how to proceed with their training themselves, although it is greatly encouraged that they further themselves in other areas besides their specialization, while continuing to work on it. As a result, it isn't uncommon that ROOT agents teach each other something new whenever they're on a mission together, and there's time to spare. I believe I've taught an agent or two how to paint while learning how to sew and perform a technique that allows one to perform reconnaissance using sound waves. I don't know the actual name of the technique, however." Sai explained how further education worked in ROOT.
The twins couldn't help but be a little envious. Kakashi hadn't been that kind to team seven when it came to sharing new techniques. All they had done was practice the basics and do D-rank missions until their first C-ranked mission. Only then, had he bothered to teach them all something new. Although, in hindsight, Sakura had needed to catch up to her teammates in the physical aspect of their training, and Naruto lacked theoretical knowledge, so it might have been the right thing for Kakashi to try and have them focus on the basics for so long. Granted, such an argument was less convincing when one learned how lazy Kakashi really was, and it had driven the twins to eventually figure out how a Genin team was supposed to work. The truth had turned out to be rather… disappointing.
"We're envious. That's not really how it works in Genin teams. Apparently, while a Jōnin is assigned to a Genin team, they're not obligated to teach their Genin any new techniques. The Genin, as of their graduation are considered adults and therefore count as employees of the village. A Jōnin-Sensei is merely their senior, meant to guide them and teach them how to perform their missions, and how to follow orders. It's up to the Genin themselves to further their education, and unlike in ROOT, freshly minted Genin have very little they could offer their Jōnin-Sensei in return. I suppose they could learn from their own teammates, but being the stupid kids we were back then, we were too prideful and unaware of how things were meant to be. While I might be part of a clan now, I have no clan techniques or mentors to take advantage of, and neither does Naruto. Sasuke and Naruto were rivals, so neither of them was willing to share techniques or material, and I was a stupid fangirl, unable to think ahead, or realize that Kakashi wasn't obligated to teach us anything related to fighting. The fact that Naruto and I are now apprenticing under Jiraiya is closer to how I had imagined Kakashi's duties to be before." Sakura admitted, sighing, as she shook her head at the idiocy of her past self. She should have looked it up herself, but hadn't done so, convinced she knew better.
"That seems terribly inefficient. What's to ensure that all Genin continue to better themselves for the sake of the village?" Sai inquired, not seeing the logic.
"Well, I suppose that the possibility to be promoted to Chūnin, as well as the Will of Fire is meant to be our primary motivators," Sakura replied with a shrug, not really certain of how it was supposed to work herself. Something the twins decided to rectify after the date, by asking Jiraiya.
"The Will of Fire?" Sai asked, looking confused, making the twins pause, as they realized that Sai hadn't been exposed to the same Shinobi codes or teachings, and might not have been taught the will of fire, like every other Shinobi in the village.
"The Will of Fire. It's a philosophy that came from the Senju clan and spread to the rest of the village after its founding. It states that the entire village is like a large family unit and every Konoha shinobi with the Will of Fire loves, believes, cherishes, and fights to protect the village, as previous generations have done before them. There's even a sculpture in the cemetery representing this will." Sakura explained while Sai looked thoughtful.
"I see. We were taught something similar I think, but it was more along the lines of everything being for the village because the village was what made us. We weren't supposed to feel emotions, so we wouldn't have any attachments to the village or its people. I believe it might have been seen as a weakness that could be used against us, so instead, we were taught to only serve the village because it is our mission. In 'Root', you have no name. You have no feelings. You have no past. You have no future. There is only the mission." Sai explained, sounding sad, although it was hard to tell, even if it would make sense. It seemed like a really sad existence, after all.
"That sounds horrible. I think I prefer the idea of the Will of Fire instead." Sakura joked, hoping to liven the conversation up again.
"Indeed, though achieved through different methods, the underlying message seems to be the same. To protect Konoha. I think I'd prefer to do so because I care for the village and its people, rather than simply because I was told to." Sai decided, and Sakura smiled.
"That reminds me of a boy we met on our first C-rank mission. He wasn't really a Shinobi, but he was the apprentice of a missing-nin who was after the life of our client. Naruto had stayed out late, training, and fell asleep outdoors. He was found by Haku, who was pretending to be a civilian, and they ended up talking. Haku believed that we become stronger when we're fighting for someone else's sake, and Naruto took Haku's words to heart." Sakura explained, smiling at the simple thought.
"You say Haku was your enemy? Was he strong?" Sai asked, confusing Sakura as to why he wanted to know but decided to answer nonetheless.
"He was. He was a survivor of the Yuki clan from Kirigakure. His Kekkei Genkai allowed him to control ice, and he could use it with lethal efficiency. I thought we were all going to die on that bridge." Sakura admitted, nodding in confirmation.
"Then, why didn't Haku kill Naruto when he found him? Wouldn't that have been the wisest choice?" Sai asked, making Sakura sigh as they realized what Sai had taken from the story.
"From a purely mission-oriented perspective, yes. However, you forget that Haku was technically not a fully-fledged Shinobi. We suspect that many aspects of his training were different from ours, and we can't claim to know everything about him, but we know that despite everything, Haku was very kind. Zabuza himself mentioned that Haku had always been soft, unsuited to the life of a Shinobi, although I disagree. There are times where mercy has its place as well." Sakura informed Sai, who looked like he was contemplating her words.
While Sai did so, the twins studied his expression, trying to identify which parts of it were natural, and which were learned behavior that he exhibited to try and convey his feelings more clearly. While Sai had promised to try and not rely on his habits, they had noticed him slipping several times, although he always realized after a while and tried to correct it. However, while they were doing so, Heikō made another observation that made her chuckle inwardly.
"What's so funny?" Sakura asked, perplexed, only to feel Heikō take control and shift their gaze downwards, where the water was almost clear enough to make out Sai's lower body, making Sakura realize just how close they now were to Sai. "What? How did we get so close?!" Sakura demanded, looking around and noting that neither they nor Sai had remained where they first sat down in the water. All of them had unconsciously moved closer as they spoke, and neither of them seemed to have noticed until that moment.
Unable to keep them from blushing, Sakura took back control and raised their gaze to avoid catching a glimpse of Sai's lower area, as they had done previously when he rose out of the sand bath. Meanwhile, Heikō's chuckling grew into a laugh. "Y-you shouldn't be so embarrassed! He doesn't care, heck, I imagine that if we asked nicely, he'd let us take photos. Imagine him posing!" Heikō told Sakura, bursting into another laugh, her mirth infectious, much to Sakura's embarrassment and annoyance, as she had to contain herself from doing something stupid in front of Sai. Although, she supposed he'd understand if she explained their current situation.
"Of course he'll understand. Dammit, this date is actually going great if you think about it, think he'd be willing to take our virginity?" Heikō inquired, making Sakura's mind blank out for a moment from shock and outrage.
"W-what?!" Sakura shrieked out loud, making Sai look at them questioningly, wondering about the outburst, and the now quite visible blushing, before chuckling as Heikō took back over.
"Sorry about that. I might have pushed a few too many of Sakura's buttons. While she's not a complete prude anymore, she still freaks out about-" Heikō began explaining, only to freeze in place as Sakura recovered and began fighting her for control, while Sai could do nothing but look on in bewilderment as their body froze in place, twitching occasionally with a far off look in their face.
However, eventually, their body relaxed, seemingly calm, as it closed its eyes and let out a sigh before all three of their eyes opened. The third one in their forehead opened up to reveal a black eye, all three of them landing on Sai before they spoke. "So, you're the source of their dispute." They stated in an emotionless voice that made Sai feel as if he was talking to someone new, one that was neither Sakura nor Heikō.
"Who are you?" He asked, suspicious about what was going on. Neither of the twins had told him that there was a third sister.
"Call me Fukō. I'm part of the twin's mental defense. Normally, I only awaken whenever there's a danger to their mental health present, and it seems that their argument this time was serious enough for me to awaken. While they squabble between themselves, I've taken control to keep things from becoming worse." Fukō introduced herself, explaining to Sai what was going on.
"They're, arguing?" Sai inquired, confused as to what had happened. He understood that Heikō had apparently displeased Sakura with something, and had been about to explain it, which must have been against Sakura's wishes. Fukō, if she could be believed, had made it seem as if he was the subject of their disagreement. "Why?" Sai inquired, hoping that Fukō would be willing to explain things to him.
For a moment, Fukō remained silent, studying Sai, before nodding to herself. "Telling you will resolve the conflict. Sakura may not appreciate it, but things will just drag on if nothing changes. Their argument is a result of conflicting stances on sex. You don't seem particularly bothered by topics or taboos that are commonly associated with it, and Heikō thought it would be a good opportunity for them to lose their virginity, or at least, ask you about your thoughts on such a proposition." Fukō explained, surprising Sai, who couldn't really see the value in their virginity and could therefore not understand their argument. To him, it didn't matter besides the vague interest in attempting something he knew was considered as rather intimate by some. If the twins really wanted it, he saw no problem with their proposition. As long as they both wanted it.
AN: And so, the unorthodox date, becomes even more so. I don't really want Heikō to come off as some sort of sex-crazed fiend, but like Sai, she doesn't really care for the taboos, and she can see the benefits of having sex, learning from it or something else. Their mother indirectly supports her opinion, considering they were given contraceptives for their journey, and they are going through a phase where their body is quite… supportive, of the idea. After all, they're a teenage girl going through puberty and have gotten multiple, rather good looks of a very attractive male who is their age and unlikely to object, judge, or exploit them for it. In short, it is a golden opportunity that Heikō thinks they would be fools to ignore.
Kyluxia here. Here's a fun question. Out of the two siblings, who do you think would get more out of an "experience" with Sai? Until next time!