Chapter One: The Bridal Party
She was not happy.
Surprisingly it wasn't just because she was being shipped off to be married to someone, she had never met…though that did weigh heavily on her mind too.
She was not happy at the fact her butt fell asleep…again! Her lower half was almost completely pinning and needles getting closer to all out numb. This was because they couldn't just run through the countryside, leaping along the tree branches like normal ninja, oh no. The Daimyo had to insist that she be treated like a proper bride-to-be (more like sacrificial offering) and shoved in a strange metal and fiberglass monstrosity of a carriage called a "Limousine".
'Dammit! What, I wouldn't give to get out of this damn thing and stretch my legs!' she thought in her usual manner…internally that is. Honestly, if people knew the things she said in the privacy of her mind.
Sakura Haruno had never seen such a contraption as a car, for one thing it had no horses or even pallbearers, it moved along at fairly high speeds that some ninja would have trouble matching and completely under its own power. Their escorts had to ride in vehicles much like this one called vans or else they would be left behind. She was grateful she was used to going at such high speeds or else she would have definitely gotten motion sickness (Like a certain green beast was dealing with), but even so the journey still had taken several days, and she was not used to just sitting around doing nothing for so long. The vehicle honestly intrigued her, a distraction giving the pink-haired girl a welcome reprieve from her situation, she learned that it ran completely mechanically with an engine much like what was found on trains. However, it didn't use burning wood or coal to create steam, or any liquid fuel-based combustion engine that she had read about, like the incredible electrical generator her father had bought for emergencies that ran on a crude oil derivative called gasoline. Whatever it ran on the ride was smooth and quiet…now if only they could find a way to stop the inevitable numbness of one's rear from prolonged rides.
Despite her rebellious glutes protesting at being squished from sitting too long (And the added anxiety of not keeping busy), the limo as the Daimyo called it, was quite comfortable.
The Limo had enough seating in the cushions (That reminded her of sofas) for like ten people and could fit her and her five companions (Oops, six actually) comfortably to the point that they practically could lay down. The eldest of the two blondes present, who just so happened to be the Hokage, was in fact lounging on her side in a manner that a male would find provocative. Sakura looked to the only men, being her father and her sensei, making sure that both were not sneaking glances and behaving themselves.
Her father was too busy watching the scenery whiz by the window, but she never known him to be a pervert, her sensei on the other hand was a huge one but he was satisfied with his usual trashy harlequin romance novel. Tsunade Senju was on the side sofa, that ran the length of the limo, reading reports that had been sent via summon by Sakura's senpai who had been left behind to watch over things in the Hokage's absence.
Another amazing innovation was that the limo somehow had central air like an office building or grocery store. Hi no Kuni, or the Land of Fire, was a northeastern country with four seasons, right now it was in the middle of the summer so the air outside the limo was particularly hot (Especially with all this humidity, fucking sage does that make it worse). They were traveling southeast to the coast where they would head to Nami no Kuni, or the Land of Waves, and from there to their final destination. The cool, but not cold, breeze manifested from the small vents kept the sultry air outside at bay and the inside temperate and comfortable. Something that would not be remotely possible in a more traditional wooden carriages made of oak and/or mahogany.
Sakura looked around the compartment, she resided with the people that were her closest family whom she loved. To her right, reading a fashion and celebrity news magazine, was one of her childhood best friends whom she saw as a sister (And often times rival) Ino Yamanaka
…Correction just Ino.
The platinum blonde had to leave her clan when she made the decision to join Sakura in her soon to be new home. The only way Ino could come along and also stay with Sakura, was to give up her clan's name and swear fidelity to her best friend as her handmaiden, abdicating her right as heiress to the Yamanaka (And placing herself in servitude to Sakura). Inoichi and Inamura (Ino's father and mother) was saddened but they respected and understood her decision. Ino had already been pretty much written off by most of the village so she would never be taken seriously if she had taken her father's place as clan head when the time came anyway.
Sakura was still beyond pissed about the whole thing. Ino had…well, she did something pretty stupid for a boy she had a major crush on (Who just so happened to be one of Sakura's teammates, a weirdo artist named Sai, she always knew he was a major creep), and then said boy made it so that the whole village knew. Nothing happened between her and the boy in a way that couldn't be taken back (Ino let Sakura check), but no one believed her. However, the worse of it was that Sai never spoke up in her defense. She was branded a harlot by every busy body in the village, it was not that far of a stretch for most people, given that the former Yamanaka already had a reputation for being flirty and wore fashionable (And revealing) clothing.
Sakura never believed a second that Ino had done something so scandalous as just hoping into bed with a guy, but with Ino being an heiress to a fairly famous ninja clan she was constantly under a microscope since she was born (The likes of which Sakura mused was the reason her best friend tended to act out). So, when the incident happened, and the manner it occurred; she was judged unfairly by people who had no business making an opinion in the first place (Cough civilians Cough). Sakura found the whole thing ridiculous and two faced.
Sex before marriage in her village was not uncommon…although still highly frowned upon (Mostly by ignorant civilians; nosy housewives and the odd spinster or old biddy with nothing better to do), but when living in a ninja village birth rates was very important. And when on mission there was no guarantee that you would be coming back, so why leave it to chance. But Kami-Sama forbid anyone found out less a village of nosy busy body civilians drag you through the mud (It was almost Karmic given that gossiping was Ino's favorite pass time…well, not so much anymore). Her village still practiced the art of seduction too…although in the academy they were only taught mild stuff like passing as a mundane unnoticeable girl with flower arranging and tea ceremonies, Ino once posed a princess. So many Kunoichi chose to give their virginity to trusted partners (This was also done in case of rape, but understandably no one talked about that so Sakura had no idea if it really helped), this way they at least can be deflowered on their own terms. Sakura didn't observe this practice of course (Even though she had someone in mind if she did) but she didn't have to, shortly after graduation she had the luck of catching the eye of the Godaime Hokage, the famous Medic-Nin and one of three legendary Sennin as well as the Granddaughter/niece of two founders and Hokage. So, she was seen as too valuable to be risked.
She looked to her mistress. Once again realizing she would no longer be learning from the woman, Sakura had grown up without a mother, having died when she was a baby due to a strange illness that still popped up every now and then back home. The late matriarch of the Hyūga died the same way. Tsunade didn't exactly act like a mother to Sakura, but people could see the woman loved her students like they were family. The Godaime had never married (Or dated from what Sakura saw) and Sakura along her fellow students, her two best friends and their Senpai Shizune, were practically the closest thing the last Senju had to children.
Sakura couldn't help but feel heartbroken all over again. She loved Tsunade, she loved her home village, but she had to be given away so an alliance can be formed to avoid war. Her village Konohagakure no Sato, also known as the Village Hidden in the Leaves, while it was one of the five great elemental villages…was in some major trouble because they were on the brink of financial ruin. Even though most hidden villages (Especially the five great nations) were the only military institution in its respective home country, they were still at the core a privatized military state and almost solely reliant on mission contracts…which have been steadily dwindling as of late.
The Leaf also had made a huge mistake offending the nation she was being offered to.
On that thought, Sakura decided to reaffirm her mission as a political bride (The last she will ever do for Konoha) and reading the files her Hokage, the Council of Elders, and the Council of Clan Lords had given her. It was extremally in depth to the point of obscene (They came in a three-inch thick binder!). It not only stated the normal stuff like what was expected of her (I.E., make babies) but also some info on the mysterious Arashi no Kuni (The land of Storms), her fiancé, and his family. It was just filled to the brim with the intel packets pertaining to her upcoming marriage. There was even a brief (But still very informative) report of why she was doing this.
One of the elders (An arrogant and psychotic warmonger by the name of Danzo) had been caught doing dishonorable acts. Ninja by definition were warriors willing to lie, steal, and murder for payment (In other villages they still practiced seduction too). Sakura herself had done somethings she was ashamed of, if killing wasn't bad enough her first assassination had been a little too tough to swallow, sure the man blackmailed his business rivals…but Sakura didn't sign up to make widows raise their children alone. However, Danzo took things to extremes that even ninja would never do, what finally caught him was a wrongful death which lead to discovering his acts of treason. This was why the village was struggling because clients were starting to avoid them.
The Hidden Leaf had long standing ties with the island nation of Arashi, Tsunade's clan the Senju, were actually related to the royal family…the Uzumaki clan.
The two families having been split at some point in antiquity. In fact, her mistress and mother figure was a quarter Uzumaki, her grandfather the famed Hashirama Senju, married her grandmother Mito under another arranged marriage with the Uzumaki clan. When Hashirama-Sama first made the hidden village system the Uzumaki created their own village nearby, it was a small island of the coast of Fire dubbed Whirlpool Country and Uzushiogakure no Sato (The Village in the Whirlpools). For some reason though Konoha and Uzushio had a falling out and the village was no longer active. Sakura couldn't find out why, she was never taught about it in the academy and her only source was not receptive to telling her. Tsunade had always been forthright with her, but the subject was apparently taboo, all the older woman was willing to say was that the Leaf should have treated their friends better.
But despite this there was still a small (Like literally only two people) satellite family in Konoha. Sakura looked to her left, opposite of Ino, to her other best friend. Karin Uzumaki had it pretty hard growing up much like her, they were both bullied for their most hated features (Sakura for her forehead and pink hair, Karin for her bad eyesight and bright red hair) Sakura was a shy and timid girl back then but when she saw Karin was like her, so she approached other girl and became friends, this however made their bullies double their efforts.
One day the daughter of one of her father's clients (Little Ino) came to the rescue tossing flowers claiming they were poisonous. The three had been the best of friends for years. Karin recently lost her mother, Kahana, the victim of the insane old war hawk and nearly broke the poor girl. For the last three years Sakura and Ino lived with her, with her mother gone she was all alone in the house left to her.
If Karin's mother hadn't died, there was a good chance that Sakura and she would have been stepsisters by now, her father and Karin's mother had been getting cozy (Karin's father had passed much like Sakura's mother, died on mission however) and they started dating. Her death was hard on all of them, it was obvious by how close they had gotten, Sakura's father had cried at the news of her death. It was obvious that he had really fallen in love with the woman, and Sakura herself would have loved to call her mom she was such a loving person. In the wake of her mother's death, Karin decided to move with them to Whirlpool, both so that she can be with family and to support her best friend (But really it was probably to get away from the village that indirectly caused Kahana's death).
But losing the kind redheaded woman, in such an awful way, was still unfair even three years later. But it was also the catalyst that led to Sakura's engagement.
Three years ago, during her first Chunin exam, an infamous criminal Nuke-Nin had tricked their allies Sunagakure no Sato, Village Hidden in the Sand, into invading alongside his own rogue village. If it had not been the timely intervention of a group of foreign ninjas that had been taking the Chunin exams the Leaf would have been destroyed. They still, however, had lost a lot of ninjas and even more wounded.
Karin's mother had a rare Kekkai Genkai where if you bite her flesh, you would be instantly healed, Danzo captured her and brainwashed her with a stolen Sharingan (What was left of the Uchiha clan was not happy to hear that) into using her bloodline…but she had her limits, and her lifeforce had been literally sucked out till she was dead. Danzo had tried to capture Karin too to do the same, however Karin noticed and had been worried about her mother's odd behavior and went to the Hokage.
When the woman died it was clear that she had not been of her own will and foul play was called into question. When Danzo came for Karin, he was met by the matriarch and clan head of the Uchiha, the mother of her teammate was able to resist his hypnotism and capture him, Mikoto-Sama personally destroyed the stollen eye…by cutting it out and smashing it under foot (Along with the old geezer's balls).
And then the investigation started…what they found was appalling.
The man had done truly evil things, most of which was in the interest of the village, but he had no authority to enact them. His acts of treason had certainly offended the Daimyo (The usually sedated ruler was beyond pissed). Apparently, he was the one who had tried to wipe out the Uchiha clan when they were dealing with some pretty serious infighting, but that was thwarted when Mikoto-Sama deposed her husband. He also had a spy that manipulated the Fire Daimyo into acting favorably for his agenda (She ended up getting hers too, Sakura always hated that chubby cat torturing woman).
Sakura looked to her lap, she gave her new pet Tora a few gentle strokes along her back and a good scratch on her un-bowed ear receiving a purr, the Daimyo gave the cat to the rosette as an engagement gift (That and other obvious reasons).
Anyway, it was Danzo's crimes against humanity that were the worst, like funding human experimentation (Including on himself…so many eyes…so gross) or kidnapping children and stripping them of all emotion with straight out torture as training. It turned out Sakura's teammate Sai, the boy who also ruined Ino's life, was a sleeper agent (Unfortunately this info didn't help reverse Ino's reputation) he was placed on Sakura's team with mission to try to coax her other teammate Sasuke Uchiha to Danzo's side and join his (Illegally formed without permission from of the Hokage) Anbu.
Unfortunately, Sai escaped right before his own execution and ran, he is now a Missing-Nin (Oh heaven help him if Sakura runs into him out in the field, he'll find out what it's like to be his precious paint).
Danzo was put on trial for treason and crimes against humanity. Sakura shivered when she remembered the trial, it was more of a spectacle really, the Godaime used it as a means to give her leverage in disbanding the Civilian Parliament (Aka the Danzo fan club) who had been gaining far too much power in what was supposed to be a ninja ruled village. The man gave Tsunade all the ammunition she needed. Danzo was insane…raving on and on about roots this and ninja are just tools that, almost pathetic really, he had allowed himself to fall deeply into the teachings of the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju to the point of fanatical zealously. Tsunade assured Sakura that her granduncle had never meant anything the (cray, cray) war hawk was interpreting.
When it came to his execution Tsunade decided that, while appalling and treasonous, the man had never done anything that didn't have the village's best interest in the end. So Danzo was allowed an honorable death by Seppuku (Ritual suicide…by gutting yourself). Sakura would never forget that day as the day she watched a true Shinobi die…if she was honest, it was awe inspiring, but she was still glad he was gone, the world was a safer place without him.
However, the death of Kahana was still the village's biggest issue, and half the reason Sakura had to leave home.
Arashi's royal family had gotten word…and they were furious. It turns out Karin's dear mum Kahana, was actually Lady Kahana, Duchess of Nagi and sister to the queen of Storms! How or why actual royalty was slumming it in Konoha was a mystery. No offence to the place she was born of course, but the village was lacking on the metropolitan front. Even though one of the big five, the Leaf had trouble progressing beyond its rural and rustic charm (They still had fucking dirt roads as the main streets!), Sakura still listened to records and the radio…until her father bought her a laptop as a graduation present and she learned what CDs were.
Supposedly the Storm Nation was home to some major tech and engineering companies, the limo for example was such a product purchased by the Fire Daimyo (effectively starting a rapidly growing trend among nobility and royalty everywhere), this meant the tropical nation may be decades ahead of the curve in tech. Sakura wondered how Kumogakure no Sato, Village Hidden in the Clouds, was taking that…not well would be the best guess. Cloud was as bad as Iwagakure no Sato, Village Hidden in the Stone, when it came to pride. And technological advancements was something they liked to rub in other villages faces. The hidden ninja village of Kaminari no Kuni, Land of Lightning, was known to produce some interesting things due to their research into electricity but they were stingy, and most innovations were annexed for military use, so new stuff from them reaching other nations was sparce.
Sakura went back to reading her files…not noticing the concerned looks from her travel mates (Even the furry one).
The Storm Nation was large (As big as Fire) consisting of a main island and a plethora of smaller islands, but only a few coastal areas were inhabited on the main island of O'Uzu, this was because it was covered entirely by lush jungle that was said to have very dangerous creatures and were mostly nature preserves. The whole nation was protected by a natural defense of various storms along the coast that was the country's namesake, there was even many whirlpools and rocky shores, according to the file's whirlpools were very important to local beliefs (There was myths that some of the biggest ones were portals to supernatural planes). The Land of Storms were also very wealthy because of having a free market open to all foreign trade and rich natural resources, this has led to them having more allies than any other nation.
The list went thusly.
Nami no Kuni, Land of Waves. Sakura went there once on her first C-Rank, it was really boring, just escorting this (Drunken old) carpenter that mostly built bridges. But she got to see the ocean for the first time and learned a of a local folk tale about a famous Nuke-nin that gave his life for his apprentice in a final act of fatherly love (So heart-breaking and beautiful.)
Takigakure no Sato, Village Hidden in the Waterfall. They lived in an undisputed territory that had no real nation but seemed to do really well. But they had a bad reputation, a former leader had sent an assassin to kill the first Hokage, someone all nations respected at the time for basically inventing the ninja system as we know it today. There was talk that Taki, which was located on Nagi island to the north, becoming the Storm Nation's new hidden village. To what extent was unknown but many had made it clear they didn't like it, as Nagi island had a huge gold trade.
Haru no Kuni, Land of Spring (Formerly Yuki no Kuni, Land of Snow). Sakura went there too. The Daimyo was having trouble cleaning out remanent loyalists of her tyrannical uncle. The place was beautiful, and she couldn't believe it used to be covered in never ending winter (Or that Koyuki Kazahana-Sama was also Yukie Fujikaze-Hime! The famous and gorgeous actress of the Princess Gale movies! Ino and Karin was so jealous when Sakura came back with a photo of her and the actress/leader posing, blowing kisses and winking with peace signs, complete with autograph!)
There was one unknown. It was this very distant and powerful empire far off to the west that didn't have ninja or even use chakra! The only info that anyone had on it was that its people had strange clothing and customs (And the term "Knight in Shining Armor" came from there).
Rumor had it that there was one more, but there was no info about them due to uncertainty of their relationship with Arashi (The rumors were saying that they had offended the queen and she was thinking of giving them the boot).
But what was really scary was that Arashi was really chummy with two other major elemental villages as well. Apparently, they had gained an alliance with Mizu no Kuni, Land of Water, and its village Kirigakure no Sato, Village Hidden in the Mist, which had recently stabilized. They had a really bad civil war that had been going since before Sakura was born.
The other village was somewhat unsettling, the new and very young Kazekage of the Sand apparently was very good friends with a member of the royal family, this meant that Uzushio had the support of two of the great elemental villages. Sakura remembered Gaara no Sabaku, she was terrified of him then because he was a murderous psycho (A cute psycho admittedly), Magnet user almost ended her friend Lee's career…and that was after he had already slaughtered many others into a bloody paste. During the invasion with Oto, he almost killed her…how she was saved was a mystery.
However, Sakura had been getting to know his older sister Temari, she was named ambassador to the Leaf and worked with Ino's former teammate Shikamaru. Sakura met her often while working for the Hokage helping in the office, Temari said that Gaara had took a turn for the better and was healing, the next time she saw him he was defiantly changed. He even apologized to her.
However, the shock of the century was Tetsu no Kuni, Land of Iron, which was not a ninja run country…because they were ruled by samurai. The news rocked the world and was causing quite a stir, the samurai of Iron swore they would never involve themselves with ninja. And most of the world had ninja in one form or another. The samurai of Iron where the last of their kind to hold rule over a country as far as she knew, they still existed and served Daimyo but ninja had become the main military force on the international stage.
But ninja everywhere both feared and respected the swordsmen, Sakura's sensei Kakashi honestly admitted that he too was pretty scared of them, he had a run in with them only once when escorting a noble to watch a competition of top swordsmen. He said there was a boy from Iron there, no older than what would be considered Genin, and the boy won the tournament with frightening ease. He would start (… and end) every match with a single slash. The swords were of course blunted but the force of the impact nearly killed a few people (After Kakashi told that story Sasuke came to next team meeting carrying a practice sword, he was now a proficient swordsman, but never seemed to be satisfied).
There was another rumor that the Storm Nation and all its allies were in the process of building a multinational union, something the likes the world has not ever seen before. And there was no telling how many Biju that meant Arashi had at their disposal…but it was quickly tipping the balance of power between all the nations.
So, with Konoha losing business (And being the only one of the top five without a Biju) it would be foolish not to join as well…but of course they had to let the sister of the royal clan die a horrible and painful death at the hands of a zealot. It was a catch twenty-two. They needed the alliance to stay afloat while at the same time keep them from declaring a very costly war that Konoha could not afford (No telling if they would win either…they would get creamed for sure). It was like giving the neighbor a black eye and then ask for money.
So, when such a situation presented itself there was only one thing any ninja village could rely on…tradition.
The marriage between Sakura and her future…husband (Still an alien concept to her) would be an act of good faith, much like it was between Mito and Hashirama, and their union would be seen as a symbol of peace. There might be an issue with Sakura's low birth (To put it bluntly she was a commoner from a civilian trading clan) but Tsunade had assured the girl that her status as the Slug Sage's most farthest-reaching apprentice and one of two inheritors of the Slug Contract, as well as her astounding record as a Medic-Nin, the rosettes cachet was more than elevated enough to marry a prince (She hoped it did, Sakura can't afford such a lethal blow to her ego…again). Sakura wasn't privy to the finer points of the exchange, like trade agreements, no doubt though there would be the usual resources ninja nations tended to barter. Things like jutsu and agriculture goods like crop and livestock (Yeah, Sakura felt really special being as valuable as cow), there was of course the promise of aid during times of battle and even possible exchange of forces, the deal would also open both nations to investment opportunities.
That was why Sakura's father Kizashi came along (Of course following his only daughter, and the daughter of the second woman he had ever loved, making sure they were both safe was more important), even though this was modern times and the decision was all Sakura's it was still traditional for the father to negotiate the terms of the betrothal and accept the dowry, and since this was a marriage between political powers that meant he was basically representing the Leaf…and much to the man's protests Lady Tsunade had appointed him the official ambassador.
It wasn't like he couldn't do the job, being a merchant, he pretty much did the same thing as politicians, brokering contracts and deals for his clients making sure they were happy and was not getting the short end of the stick, but this was of a magnitude he had never done before. He would technically still be a citizen of the Leaf, but he was moving with them to be close to his little girl and do his job more effectively (So he would have to make trips back every now and then for an official report). Overall, it would be up to him to make sure Konoha would get a favorable deal and continue to do so for the foreseeable future (No pressure). It would also be difficult for him because there was the strong possibility he would be primarily dealing with his own daughter and would need to disregard his feelings for her and think only of Konoha's best interest.
Sakura remembered what he said to her after he got the appointment from the Hokage.
"As long as I know you are safe and happy, that he treats you right and doesn't hurt you, then I can manage anything in the world"
Sakura repressed the urge to cry (If she was gonna be a princess she can't cry!) and turned the page. There in bold lettering was the name of the young man she was betrothed to marry…Naruto Uzumaki, the Prince of Storms.
There wasn't a current photo, just one from when he became a Genin three years ago, much like herself. But she will admit he was kinda cute, a little chubby faced, but those blue eyes were…honestly, they were breath taking. Sakura had never seen eyes so blue, Ino had teal ones that were so bright and pretty it seemed like she didn't even have pupils. But this guy, Prince Naruto, no offense to her best friend but his you could just get lost in.
Blond and tan wasn't normally Sakura's type, but really not bad either, Sakura could see herself at least wanting to get to know him…so long as he didn't have any glaring off putting character flaws. His eyes though spoke volumes, Sakura was never good at reading people she's admit, but Naruto's eyes even in photo just projected an inner…something. Kindness, confidence, and just that special little something that just made her feel relaxed.
Sakura couldn't but smile back at the boy grinning with his bright eyes.
'Well, he looks like a nice enough guy at least' Sakura thought.
Somewhere in Kusa.
A young man, just turned sixteen actually, was sitting in a prison cell in Hōzuki Castle. The infamous "Blood Prison". Here he got quite an education…which was the point. It was unorthodox, but his master was an unorthodox man, but really; he did learn much. He met a few ninjas and a lot of them were surprisingly willing to teach him some just about anything that had to do with battle. He especially learned about the world of ninja and its cruelty. It made him wonder, not for the first time, why his parents had been so insistent on him becoming a shinobi. You could assume it was just them want their boy to fallow in their footsteps…which also didn't make sense considering they didn't come from a ninja nation.
But he had made promises…and he would never break a promise.
The teens roommate, a kunoichi with white hair disguised as man, shifted and went on alert. He looked up at her in amusement "It's cool Ryū-Chan, they're with me" he said, the young woman was wary but clamed down. They looked over to the shadows in the corner and out of inky blackness came three men, one was in a long coat and was wearing a helmet that masked his eyes and hair. The crest like much like the trident he was carrying.
"How are you doing son?" the man asked. The younger male grinned a foxy grin "Awesome, this place got some nice digs, the food could use some work but…ya' know" he answered shrugging. The three men chuckled, it seemed certain habits never die, the man with the pole arm tossed something to the boy who deftly caught in between his fingers. It was palm sized photo "Your training is complete, once your mother is able to go forward with her plans you will be able to use the same summon as me and sensei" he said refer to towering man next to him, said man grinned smugly. "And then we can train you in Senjutsu in no time, but for now that will have to do for reward until we get home" not doubt the teen would want competition sized pool's worth of ramen.
The young man looked at the picture, he could tell immediately it was the girl that was supposed marry, it was really important to his mother but he didn't feel right about. For one they were forcing a girl to leave her home and family to marry a complete stranger, that being him, and he didn't really feel all that good about being forced either. Another thing was he had his heart broken enough in his life, why would this be any different? He was assured by the priestesses at Temple this would be a good match, it was foreseen, and they were rarely wrong. All he had to do was agree to it, but even they knew fate could change.
"Still, mom can really pick them…" the teen thought. This girl, with pink hair like cherry blossoms and eyes green like the waves of his home, the boy was stunned that creature so pretty could exist. The woman looked on curiously, so he hand her the photo, she looked for a moment taking in the contents "Is this the girl you were talking about?" she asked. The young man nodded, "Well, she's certainly pretty" she handed the photo back "Arranged marriage is pretty safe, it wouldn't still be so popular if it wasn't, she seems nice enough just looking at her" she said smiling.
"And who might you be?" asked the very tall man, he had a lecherous smile on "And what is such a nice young lady doing in such and awful place?" the woman eyes widened in shock, how did he see through disguise? The teen boy just shook his head saying, "Ignore him, he's just a pervert."
"Hey, I'm not Just a pervert!" before he could say anymore the teen, the man in the helmet, and the other man with long red hair said, "Shut up!" in unison. So, the giant sulked in the corner, muttering about not getting the respect her deserved and how much he missed someone.
"Come on son, it's time to go" helmet said. The teen however shook his head no, "Can't, I promised I'd help Ryūzetsu out with her quest" he said finality. The redheaded man rolled his eyes "Fucking gods, of course you did." The man in the helmet did like it either, he knew that his son gave his word, that even if they good get him out of this cell the boy would just come right back, honestly, he was just too much like his mother.
"Alright Ms. Since my son has made a promise, I guess we have to stay and see it through, so what is your mission?" the helmet asked. Ryūzetsu looked to her companion of the last year who nodded in assurance, "Well, it all started ten years ago…" She told the whole story and he three men had to agree this could not be left alone, such an object as the Box of Ultimate Bliss could ruin their own plans, the giant snorted "Great, I'm getting really sick of finding shit from the era of the Sage that can end the world, but it looks like we won't be getting back in time to meet with Tsunade and the Konoha delegation huh?"
"It appears like that is the case" the helmet agreed, his wife was either going to kill him or worse. He shivered as he remembered what she did to him when accidently wine on his best suit, completely ruining it, he couldn't sit down for week after that.
The redhead shrugged "Man, I gotta get back to my club! You know how much I hate leaving that bitch alone there, she goes around acting like she owns that place!" the other three males felt sweat go down their necks, the so-called was his sister and she Did own the place, as they were fifty/fifty partners. She was also the headlining act.
"Anyway, how long do you think this will take?" the helmet asked, addressing the Kunoichi.
"Mui is still making preparations, but it will be soon, another month or so" she informed. This made the redhead groan, whining about his precious club some more. The helmet nodded "Alright, we'll stay and monitor from the shadows, son? You just keep doing what you have been doing" the boy nodded. And the men melted back into the shadows. The young teen looked at the photo again, tracing his finger on the girl's face, she really was pretty. "Well, looks like we're not going to meet for a bit longer, I'm sorry and hope you can forgive me" he sighed and tucked the photo somewhere safe.
"I know your missing meeting your fiancé and this doesn't mean much…but thank you, no other ninja would be will to be so kind" Ryūzetsu said gratefully.
The young man smiled, almost amused saying "Your welcome, but technically…I'm not ninja anyway."