Sakura was about to go into the next section of her files, the section that told her about her fiancé…at least she would have if her binder wasn't yanked out of her hands. Sakura blinked, not sure of what happened for a second, before looking over to her right…where she saw a very annoying purple wearing platinum blonde reading her files.
Ino looked up feeling that she was being watched, she looked to her pink best friend with a blank innocent look "What?" was her infuriating reply.
"What do you mean WHAT?! Give it back!" Sakura screamed.
"Hey!" Tsunade barked "This thing is big but it's not that big, so keep it down, you're making my ears hurt" the busty Hokage said sitting up and itching away a ringing sound with her pinky.
Sakura was decent enough to blush in embarrassment, but she was still miffed "She took my files!" she said, resembling a pouting child, the teen turned back to Ino "Give it back. I was reading that, and it's not for you anyway, it's classified."
"Not classified" Tsunade corrected as she decided to take a break from her reports and get something from the minibar…it looked she was gonna need it.
"It's private" Sakura restated.
Ino rolled her eyes "What the hell is so private?" Ino then took a very comical serious expression and spoke in a fake masculine voice "Sakura Haruno. Your mission, should you choose to except it, is to marry a wealthy prince and spend the rest of your life in luxury, fame, and riches. Your mission will be completed and deemed successful when you have popped out a few mini humans."
At that last instruction Sakura's father turned beet red and breathed out a curse. He also went to the mini bar.
Sakura was not amused by her friend's antics (Although the bespectacled redhead seemed to have no problem giggling away). "Come on Ino, that binder is important" the rosette said trying to reach for it (Damn Ino and her long arms).
Tora jumped down out of the fray and went to sit in the empty seat now available next to Tsunade, the woman sighed and shook her head.
But Ino was not done, her friend was not dealing with something, and the best way to get the cherry blossom to open up was to piss her off first. "Come on forehead, what's so personal about some boring files? Unless it has the guy's dick size and photos of his shirtless" at this Ino's eyes widened at the intriguing possibility "Wait! Does it?!" she said as she frantically flipped through the binder.
After being accused of being "Improper" Ino started having zero filter. At first, she was ashamed and really hurt, but after a while she started to get angry instead. It was her body, who the Hell had the right to tell her what she could and couldn't do with it? (No one!) So, she just let them talk and even gave them some more to talk about. No man has ever touched her since, but if she wanted to flaunt what her Mama gave her and talk about sex that was her right as woman, and Kami helped any asshole who thought she was easy.
The redhead to Sakura's left adjusted her glasses and glared at her blond best friend, after all that was her cousin, the other girl was objectifying "Ino" Karin warned. She didn't believe any of what was said about the former Yamanaka any more than Sakura did…she did however wish Ino was less loud and annoying. She was interested in sex too but she hid it better…most of the time.
Ino of course ignored the warning, honestly the Edge Queen (As the Uzumaki had come to be called) was worse of a nag than Sakura sometimes. At least she didn't have a civilian upbringing, she loved Sakura dearly but her prudish and vanilla ways was often a buzzkill, Karin was a good balance. Ino waved off the other girls "Relax, you know I'm kidding…Hey, Karin…what's a popular kink in your family's homelands?"
"INO!" Sakura yelled. Really, try defending against an entire village that your friend wasn't floozy when said friend went around talking like that!
Karin sighed and lifted her glasses pinching the bridge of her nose mumbling about "Dizzy blondes", she said "If I tell till you will you shut the hell up and give Sakura her binder back?"
Ino plopped the binder onto the pinkette's lap with a smack "Ow!" the girl yelped.
Karin shook her head, she thought for moment "Well, anime and manga are really popular there. Hell I would be surprised if Arashi evented the stuff. So, cosplay maybe?"
Sakura actually blinked at that "That…doesn't sound too bad" she admitted, she never had the courage but she always thought that hobby was cool, some of the outfits were so cute!
"But there is this urban legend that says that shibari was evented there too." Karin said, and Sakura shrunk into her seat with a squeak, hold her binder up for protection. Ino cackled in amusement.
Kakashi snapped shut his book. "Really girls, you're seriously putting me off my reading talking about such things like that." The silver-haired man stated.
Tsunade actually paused from her drinking to regard the man "You read porn" she retorted frankly, disgust clear on her face and in her voice.
Kakashi waved his finger to his leader, the man was lucky he was married to the Hokage's eldest pseudo daughter promising grandbabies were on the way, or the booze and casino loving older woman would have used her legendary strength to rip off the cheeky Jonin's digit and shove it up his ass. "Not true, I read vivid romance literature with drama, humor, and yes some strong sexual themes and situations. I'm not interested in listening to the vulgar rantings of teenagers who have no idea what sex even is, my book is far more fulfilling."
His anecdote earned him a triple raspberry emanating from the back of the limo.
The adults felt like sweating at the embarrassing sight with Kakashi thinking 'Real mature, and these girls are supposedly gonna save the village…well, we're boned.'
Tsunade however came to the girl's rescue "Oh yes, Shizune told me how Fulfilling your reading is" she looked to the three teen girls with a mischievous grin "She said you love your books so much that you write your own fanfiction…which you later test out with roleplay."
The girls all collectively gasped and the poor copycat grew an angry bright red blush glaring at his faux mother in-law, it wasn't easy being married to the apprentice of a legendary Kunoichi.
"Oh, my Sage! What a weirdo!" Ino exclaimed, starting a laughing fit between her and her girlfriends.
Poor Kakashi.
A short glass with what looked like cola and a cherry in it was held into his field of vision. The Haruno ambassador had read his mind and Kakashi took the drink gratefully not caring how much alcohol was in it…thankfully it was a lot.
Tsunade was satisfied with putting her son in-law in his place. So, she looked to her still giggling younger apprentices "But really Sakura" she said gaining said girl's attention along with her friends "You have been reading that binder like a bible since we left."
Karin, now under control, rested her hand on her friend's shoulder giving a concerned look, she adjusted her glasses and asked "She's right, you've been quiet all morning and your chakra has an uneasy flux to it. Are you okay?" Karin asked, trying not to invade her friend's privacy by looking too deeply into her aura.
Sakura looked to the redhead, and then to the blonde on her other side who had a small calming smile, trying to encourage her as well, Sakura sighed "It's just…is this really happening? I keep trying to tell myself it is, but I just…" she sighed again more forcefully in exasperation. "The thing with Sasuke still hurts but I'm over him…mostly, it's just this is happening so fast, I don't regret agreeing to this…but I'm barely keeping up."
"That's why you keep reading the intel" Kakashi said sipping his drink, 'Sakura was always used to being in control' the man mused '*Sigh* the whole team was too rigid, if I had someone more…unpredictable, than maybe we could have taken harder missions. Hopefully this will help her becoming more adaptive.'
Sakura's father Kizashi chuckled "You always were a study bug, even as a very little girl you always had to read and research everything, never taking anything at face value. I remember when your cousin got drunk and said snow fairies weren't real and didn't leave presents under the Gifting Tree for Winter Solstice" he then looked to the other adults with a warm fond smile "By that Solstice Eve she had a full lecture ready for the family, complete with visual aids, proving without a doubt that snow fairies were real and could in fact deliver presents!" He then looked to his daughter with a bright smile "I hope you kept it all, it would be a wonderful tradition to keep going for your own children."
Sakura (Despite her embarrassment) had a fond nostalgic smile of her own "Yeah that would be great, I still have the lecture somewhere with my books" she then frowned sadly "Just not the visual aids, I brought them to school…and they were smashed in the mud, totally ruined."
Kizashi looked saddened, once again wishing he could have done more when his daughter was younger, but it was hard being a single father while running an entire clan's worth of trade deals and other business. That was why he fell in love with Kahana, the woman was there for his baby girl whenever his cherry blossom needed a woman's advice.
"Well, at least we didn't have to worry about anyone after that, we got them good!" Ino said triumphantly.
"Yeah, I didn't have any problems after that…" Sakura said trailing off at the end, she became quiet as faces flashed in her head
Karin and Ino looked at each other and then sighed in seeing their friend's shift in mood and shaking their heads.
"Except Kona." The girls said in unison.
"Kona?" Tsunade asked hearing them "You mean that girl from the Uchiha clan who married Mikoto's boy?" the Hokage didn't notice the two men motioning in a "Don't say it" manner but they were too late.
At the mention of her former teammate…and long-time crush, marrying her old schoolmate and kinda friend, Sakura slumped in her seat completely depressed.
"Fucking bitch" Ino commented under her breath.
Karin frowned disapprovingly at Ino "That's not fair Ino, she had no choice in her marriage anymore then Sakura did, and she is still one of my friends." She scolded.
"I'm sorry but excuse me if I'm a little suspicious with how easily it all went, I mean" but Ino wouldn't finish because a golden chain came out of nowhere and wrapped around her mouth affectively gagging her. "Mm! Mmm!"
"Shut it ya' dumb blond" Karin smirked.
Said blonde glared back and mumbled under the chakra conjured chain that translated as "Fuck you, four-eyed bitch!"
Sakura ignored them, too depressed.
Kona was girl who just showed up one day in class, so the story goes she was a half Uchiha who was born outside of the village, apparently, when she had unlocked her sharingan at a young age her mother felt it was best to send her to the clan. She was nice enough…kinda. She was not a typical Uchiha, she was actually complete opposite, she was loud (And loudly fowl mouthed) always having a smirk on her face and eating Dango. She was also, as Ino liked to put it, a psychotic bitch that enjoyed torturing people. She was kinda a loner but sociable enough, she part of Karin's tracker team but when she got promoted, she went to apprentice in the Torture and Interrogation Unit.
Word was she was doing well.
Karin was right, it wasn't Kona's fault, but everything that happened after graduation…it just felt like her life was spiraling out of control. There was no joy in it, just being a ninja, a soldier. It was as if…she was the earth below without a heaven above.
For all the drama Sakura's school years was a simpler and more innocent time.
Sakura for most of her school life (And for some time after being placed on the same team) pined after Sasuke, she'd cheer him on like the others and stare at him dreamily from a distance, always asking if he would like to go on a date (And be rejected instantly each time) but Sakura never gave up hope. But it got harder to do one day when they all were about six.
Sasuke's older brother, Itachi, went rogue after being accused of killing his best friend and cousin and trying to cover it up as a suicide. Itachi slipped away after killing the entire police force, no one knows what really happened that night but it was chaos and ended with Mikoto Uchiha (Sasuke's mother) executing her husband Fugaku and taking over the clan. The resulting fallout would elevate the clan, Mikoto's sacrifice was praised throughout the village, they would move closer to the village center and rebuild the police force alongside the Hyūga.
Sasuke changed forever, Itachi was very important to the young Uchiha and the betrayal hit him hard, his betrayal would be widely accepted as the catalyst for the Uchiha Massacre as it was soon to be called. Sasuke swore a vendetta on his brother, blaming the Itachi for his pain and dishonor placed on his clan, he became broody and unsociable. He wouldn't talk to anyone (At least not politely, grunting and calling everyone annoying was all you could get most of the time), he was now the only heir and future lord of the clan.
But despite all this it made Sasuke more popular and desirable, the new attitude made him mysterious which all the girls ate up. Sakura however felt sorry for him and because of this became more convicted to be his special someone. Sasuke was not going to have it however, and made it clear on the day they became a team.
It wasn't all bad, for a while they were just a team and then friends, Kakashi at first was a terrible teacher but after he and Shizune started dating the Jonin medic lit a fire under the man's ass. Kakashi suggested for Sasuke to ask if his mother could teach Sakura about Genjutsu, the woman was very nice and a great teacher, and Sakura was very suited for it. That was how Sakura met the Hokage's assistant, Shizune was impressed with Sakura's chakra control and offered to teach her, when Sakura read 9 medical books in one week that was when Tsunade came in.
They would have a good run, they would go on missions, Sasuke and Sai would constantly bicker and fight. It was like Sai went out of his way to provoke the Uchiha. There was time Sakura couldn't be happier, and then Sasuke surprised her by asking Sakura out. It was the blissful the Genin had ever felt.
For all of one week.
They only went on one single date (Lasting all of three fucking minutes) that whole time. She never even got so much as a kiss out of it (Better that way, no sense in wasting her first kiss with a heartless jerk).
He did it right before the Chunin exams. She thought he was starting to love her (He never said he did, Sakura just stupidly assumed), he said that he was just seeing what was there between them, that he wasn't sure how he felt about her. When he broke up with her, he said he was confused about how he felt, but he realized after spending time with her that his feelings were just great care and admiration for a teammate and even saw her as family (Because every girl loves the "I love you like a sister" speech…NOT!). Just when Sakura's heart couldn't break anymore, she found the announcement for Sasuke's engagement while checking her computer…the Very Next Day after they broke up. Apparently, the betrothal had been in the works since Kona came into the village, by law sixteen was the age a licensed ninja could marry but the marriage was already set in stone long before that.
Sasuke had played her, he was just using her because he had cold feet and was looking for an out.
She never saw him again after that until the exams and even then, it was just about the exam and nothing else, and it felt like she was in the way. She almost died after getting swallowed by a giant snake, thankfully teams of the other rookies were nearby and got her out, but when she was inside somehow Sasuke got knocked out. After the invasion Sakura left for full apprenticeship with Tsunade and Team 4 (Bad numerology right there) would be officially disbanded much to Kakashi-sensei's disappointment, he really thought he finally found team who understood teamwork and friendship. Of course, Sakura would see and train with the erotic book lover, but after getting married he just basically retired, he took a vacant seat in the Clan Council. Hatake wasn't really a clan but Kakashi had garnered enough respect to be rewarded with the privilege to be a part of the discussion and have a vote.
Sasuke left too for training somewhere for the next three years and had just came back in time for his wedding (Which Sakura stupidly attended as his ex-teammate, Kona was so chipper and nice, fucking gloating bitch). And here she was now, doing her best trying to save the village, on her way to marry a complete stranger. Sakura always had a plan for her life, but ever since she became a ninja it was like she couldn't have anything she really wanted.
"So, its Sasuke" Karin said, reading her like a book.
The rosette looked to her friend with a disapproving frown "Karin, you know I hate it when you read me so deeply without my permission" she reminded her friend.
Karin had another Uzumaki bloodline that gave her incredible sensing abilities, she could find people more accurately than even a Hyūga (Faster too) and didn't even have to mold chakra like other sensor types, it just happened with a thought (Although she does have trouble sometimes with it just switching on automatically). If she concentrated on one person she could "read" them kinda like how a Yamanaka reads minds, but she couldn't read specific thoughts and memories, just interpret how someone feels from how the subject's chakra fluctuates. Karin had always described it as "Reading other people's aura's". Sakura respected her friend and lived and let live, but Karin and Ino were into that mystic nature stuff, Sakura never understood it.
Karin looked to one of the two people in the world she considered a sister, concern still shining behind her glasses.
Her mother always said that her, Sakura, and Ino were so much alike but still complimented each other. The Uzumaki really wanted to help her friend, so Karin held out her hand asking for permission and waited, the rosette looked to the hand apprehensively…but after a moment conceded and took the offering. Karin smiled and began instructing "Now, you know what to do, so just close your eyes and relax, just let your emotions fill you, swirl around inside of you and hold nothing back" Karin then looked to her other friend "Ino, why don't you help?"
Ino struggled a bit, she really wanted to help, but as it was, she didn't trust her ability…because she didn't have it anymore.
Part of the deal of her removal from the Yamanaka was that her father, having no choice in the matter because of clan laws, had to go into her mind and erase the clans secret jutsus. Technically the Yamanaka techniques were categorized as a teachable bloodline, same with the Akamichi and the Nara anyone could theoretically learn them but only that clan had the slightly above average genetic traits to use the jutsus. Yamanaka had a unique enough brain configuration to use the jutsus effectively…and above all safely.
However, her parents didn't want to completely declaw their only daughter though, so her father removed all the necessary information needed for the jutsu such as hand seals, how to mix her chakra, and what to do once the technique was activated. But he left a lot of her psychic training from when she was growing up, like meditation techniques and how to access different parts of her brain needed for psychic jutsus, and how to enter her inner psyche and create various mental landscapes like a memory palace or just a neutral mindscape for her to escape and relax.
With this she can train and hopefully create her own jutsus, it wasn't uncommon, Genjutsu often used reaching into an opponent's mind so that the illusion could have a personal touch unique to the one it was casted on. Shizune said that her uncle Dan had a technique that was similar to the Mind Body Switch Technique…although because of him not being a Yamanaka his inability resulted in the creation of a highly lethal assassination technique. Shizune was kind enough to give the ex-Yamanaka the only scroll with all his notes and the finished jutsu, but Ino as of yet hasn't felt comfortable enough to learn it.
And that was why she was so reluctant. She was scared of hurting herself or even worse her friends, she didn't want to accidently shred Sakura's mind like a blender, worse case the girl would become a vegetable and best case she would revert to a younger mindset. As funny as seeing a nearly grown woman acting like a kindergartner, Ino didn't want it to be her friend and certainly didn't want to be the one responsible.
Sakura saw Ino's hesitation "It's okay Ino, you don't have to if you don't feel comfortable, but I know you can do it. I trust you" she said offering her hand.
Ino looked to her hand and then back to her two best friends, they were smiling encouragingly to her urging for her to try, the former Yamanaka was touched by their faith in her. Ino mulled it over for a moment longer…and then took Sakura's hand.
Karin smiled more brightly nodding satisfied, her friends smiling back. "Now" Karin began "As Sakura focuses on her thoughts her chakra flow will be effected, you don't have my kekkai genkai, but you are still a sensor type. So, just mold your chakra to start sensing while also connecting to Sakura's chakra system through your hands. Don't go through it to her mind, just watch it…Feel it, and interpret as best you can."
Ino did as she was told taking Sakura's offered hand while placing her free hand in a one-handed half ram seal and touched Sakura's chakra with her own. As far as she could tell it was working, Ino could feel her chakra like she was sticking her hand into a stream, the flow felt like it was having trouble deciding what speed it should go…it was restless. Ino deduced that what she was feeling was Sakura's anxiety of her upcoming marriage.
Karin began her own preparation, unlike other bloodlines hers wasn't like flexing a muscle, rather it was relaxing and allowing her ability to take control letting it loose. When she does though the white noise from all the sources can be staggering even for her, it would be so easy to just lose herself to flow of all things, it was hypnotizing…and painful. It was like have loud speaker right next to your head. Karin sorted out everything until she was able to focus on just those in the limo and then finally herself, Sakura, and Ino.
"Lady Tsunade, if you would say something please" Karin murmured, too focused to really speak up.
"Okay…about what?" the Hokage asked.
"Anything, talk to Sakura about the marriage and get her to think about it more, ask questions if you like."
Tsunade thought for a moment and got an idea, she walked over to the girls as best she could, crouching while she moved under the very low roof of their vehicle. 'Damn, haven't been like this since my team and I were in the war and had to sneak through those vents, Sage my hips are killing me' she mentally grumbled…until she realized what she was thinking. 'I'm not old, I am not old, I am not fucking old!' was her thoughtful chant. Tsunade got far enough so that she can lean over and grab Sakura's binder, continuing to deny in her brain that she was not old while her body screamed in agony saying she was, once she had the files, she made it back to her seat slumping in the cushion making Tora bounce with her, but the cat didn't seem to mind. The Hokage opened the binder and started read a specific section.
Kakashi, Kizashi, and Tora all looked on in fascination.
"Naruto Uzumaki, second son of her majesty Queen Kushina Uzumaki-Sama, and Prince of the Land of Storms. He only just became Chunin rank recently but that hasn't stopped him from doing some pretty serious missions, just as a Genin he has done at least twelve B-ranks, eight A-rank missions, and there's even a couple S-ranks…all within a year."
At that Kakashi whistled impressed.
Karin and Ino giggled at the feeling of their friend's chakra. Hidden village girls, whether clan or civilian, are basically bred to get giddy at the idea of a strong shinobi taking them as a wife.
Tora was purring, somehow able to know her mistress was pleased, so she was adequately satisfied too.
Kizashi saw the small blush on his little girl's face and had a knowing smile…maybe a little too knowing, he looked to his Hokage and gave a conspiratorial wink in which the busty blonde gave one back.
"Yeah, but since he has become Chunin there is a blank period, he has been off training and is due back any day now in expectation of our arrival. He is extremely popular, both as a ninja and of his own charm, the people have fallen for him and not just because he is the queen's hair to be the next clan head. But also, because he has a natural charisma that makes him a person of the people."
Sakura caught the part of her fiancée being the queen's heir, "So…does that mean when we are married…I'm going to be the next queen?" Sakura asked, her green eyes still closed listening intently…but if they were open, they would have stars in them.
Ino grinned when she felt Sakura's chakra, the feeling reminded her of a puppy about to get a treat, happily jumping around with energy. "Oh ho, she likes that" she informed.
"Yeah, she does" Karin agreed her own smile in place.
Tsunade chuckled "No…well, maybe. The clan head and the ruler on the throne are actually two different people, sometimes the queen will do both jobs if there isn't another suitable candidate, but the clan head is always a member of the royal house and usually one of the queen's own children. The point of the clan head is for the royal family to sit in council to the queen with other clan heads throughout the country as equals"
"The prince is actually one of four children with Naruto being the second born like I said. Naruto has a twin sister named Naruko, the Land of Storms is a matriarchy so she would be succeeding her mother. Men can hold various different offices, for example Naruto's father is the Gunjikage, a title given much like any other Kage, they act as the military leader. I have to pay homage to the Fire Daimyo but I have complete responsibility and authority over my forces, the Gunjikage is a servant to the queen and will keep her advised and she will either continue to delegate her authority or give him her orders if she feels he needs to intervene. Anyone can take that role, man or woman, as long as they are loyal to the queen and a proven warrior. But the one who gets to wear the Vortex Crown is always a woman, an ancient tradition that has never been broken, so Naruko is the next in line."
Tsunade then frowned and her voice became contemplative and somewhat saddened "But the reason I say maybe is because the princess had an…accident, about three years ago. It has left her body very weak and she can no longer use her chakra without causing her great pain and worsening her illness, this has affected her duties and she has officially been retired from the forces. One of the requirements to be queen is having served as a Kunoichi and be in fit condition, ready to still act in battle so she can lead her armies to war if the need arises.?
"Plus, there is many ceremonies that the queen must preside over, complex rituals that require her to push herself to her limits. So, there is a chance that the queen is looking for someone to just do those ceremonies and act as figurehead while her son succeeds under the table and does all the real work. Wouldn't be the first time that's happened."
"Still, not a bad deal, get all the pageantry and fun of a queen but none of the work" Kakashi commented.
"You would think so" Tsunade retorted "Being a figure head has its own responsibilities, you are the face of the entire nation and must have extensive knowledge of Arashi's history and traditions as well as nearly all world leaders, and impeccable diplomacy skills too. Basically, the biggest most powerful ambassador you can think of."
"You're scaring Sakura" Karin and Ino said at once.
"Oh, sorry" the Hokage said sheepishly, and then continued "As for the rituals I actually got to see some of those ceremonies when I was a little girl, remember my grandmother was a pure blood Uzumaki, so my family went to Arashi's old hidden village Whirlpool when it was still around quite often. We went for anything from seasonal festivals to religious holidays. Let me tell you they are no joke."
No one noticed Tsunade made pained twitch as she was once again reminded of the hidden village, she would visit her cousins with her grandmother and brother, Whirlpool was such a beautiful place…now it's a grave site filled with shrines to the dead.
Kizashi spoke up "Fair warning, the people of the Storm nation and especially the royal Uzumaki, they all love to party and it is not for the faint of heart" he said with a big grin.
"Ha! Very true but I trained her well" Tsunade barked, to remember something more pleasant about her trips to Whirlpool "While the ceremonies are beautiful and mesmerizing, they can be quite intricate, Uzumaki are very steeped in mysticism and the supernatural, its why they are masters of Fuinjutsu as it was based on spirit warding talismans priests use, there are rituals that could take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The ceremony to bring in the new year takes exactly twenty-four hours and at the end the queen and priestesses usually needs medical attention. I'm not sure if they still do this, but from what I remember a lot of the Uzumaki ceremonies require blood sacrifice. Theses rituals are ancient and sacred, impiety is not a crime but is still a serious taboo, so you might be required to convert Sakura."
Sakura scrunched up her face showing her confusion "To what?" she asked.
"The Temple of the Infinite Spiral, or simply The Temple" Karin said, sounding clearer now that she had a good rhythm going and didn't have to concentrate as much "It's really old, as old as Ninshu almost my mother said. It was based on another belief system no one remembers; I think the name was lost through the ages, but at the time one who founded the temple felt the other belief was unholy or something. My mom taught me the basics and we observed it, I won't bore you with it right now, I'm sure you'll get to learn about it soon enough. And yes, you will have to convert, the royal family is the head house of all the clans and must go to Temple regularly as an example to the rest of the clan and the nation."
"Ah yes, going to Temple" Tsunade sighed fondly "Grandmother was very strict about us following it. She would make us go to the shrine grandfather commissioned for her on the outskirts of the village, every Sunday without fail, and make us pray and say the Mantras of Forgiveness and Blessing for hours." She shook her head nostalgically, she really should have that old shack repaired, just for her grandmother's sake. "It's honestly just something they came up with because they didn't like how ninja were becoming so focused on battle" she then snorted in amusement "Leave it to an Uzumaki to look at all the options and make up their own anyway. But still, I believe it and it's not a bad way to live, confession is a real gas but you'll learn about that later."
"Well," Sakura began "I guess I can manage, I'm not really religious but I am open minded, can't be worse than what my relatives believes in." The pink haired girl's eyes were still closed so she didn't catch the disapproving glare from her father. "At least tell me who or what I'll be worshiping Karin." She asked.
"Depends" Karin shrugged, not feeling comfortable with telling her friend, Karin wasn't very religious either and she didn't think Sakura was a bigot. But the concept of deities for her faith was…antiquated.
"Depends on what?" Sakura pressed.
"Depends on what you're looking for" Tsunade said deciding it was better to rip off the proverbial bandage "Spiral worshippers are pagans. And not like Shinto or Buddhism, real honest to the Gods tribal occult worship." She finished nonchalantly sipping another drink.
"What?! Oh! Uh, I mean, wow you don't see that anymore. Didn't think people still did that" she admitted. "I'm sorry, I'm sure it helps a lot of people and makes sense to them." She apologized.
"It does" Karin said curtly but not offended "I may not be as devote as my kin, but I still believe in it, it's comforting."
Karin then rubbed her friend's hand soothingly "But it's fine, I forgive you. However, if my aunt really does want to make you out as some substitute queen you'll have to follow and live the faith every day and raise your children under the Temple. And I should tell you my cousins are followers but I'm not sure how much, but Aunt Kushina though is very faithful and she believes without question. So, keep outbursts like that under control and don't get into any heated theology arguments."
Sakura got scared the more she thought about it, she was not only expected to convert to paganism, but also raise her children to believe. (And what was that about blood sacrifice?) Images kept flying through her head. Of little boys and girls watching barbarian women drenched in the blood of a freshly sacrificed animals, as they danced around a bonfire naked…herself among them.
Ino soothed her friend as well "Easy girl, it probably isn't that bad, and don't worry about the queen replacement thing. I'm sure they'll go through all their options before having to pick you. Oh, don't be like that, you know I don't think you're not worth first pick." she said, feeling that Sakura felt insulted.
"But Ino is right" Karin interjected "Beside myself there are two cousins in the main royal house under my uncle Nagato, the queen's cousin. His daughter, my cousin Tayuya, would most likely get the crown because A) She's female, B) She's the eldest of all of us royalty kids, C) she is a strong high level Kunoichi, and D) Unlike Naruko she's pure blood and has the Uzumaki signature red hair."
Sakura was surprised at that "Wait, so Naruto and his sister are half Uzumaki? And what's so important about their hair? And you said Naruto is the second born and his sister is his twin, so what about the eldest? Why can't they succeed?" Sakura asked in succession.
"Whoa, slowdown forehead" Ino said "Your chakra is making my head spin."
Kizashi chuckled thinking 'Yup. Always my little study bug.'
Kakashi smiled with his lone eye, showing his amusement, and Tora mewed enjoying the show.
Karin opened one eye to look at the blonde "Let go then, you're probably needing a break, I'll take it from here." she told Ino and closed her eye again so that she wouldn't accidently lose concentration "And you did a really good job, I think with more training and exploring we might be able to find you a new jutsu that rivals your old clans."
"Thanks" Ino said rubbing her temples "I'm not sure about it being that good, but this gives me hope." She admitted. She went over to the minibar for a snack, feeling nostalgic she grabbed a personal sized bag of barbecue chips.
"As for your questions Sakura, I'll answer them in order." Tsunade told her "Yes, Naruto is a half blood and so is his siblings, his father isn't from the royal clan but he from prominent clan in the Storm Nation, you'll know more when you meet him. As for the hair it is a great sense of pride for the Uzumaki, like a lot of other religions the color red represents fortune, blood, sacrifice, and passion all of which are sacred themes in the Uzumaki belief system. Although orange is the color of the royal house for some reason. So, whatever you do, do not disrespect it. Uzumaki have been known to be quite violent sometimes when someone insults the color of their hair, it's as bad as calling an Akamichi fat."
Ino choked on her chips, that was pretty bad, and she should know. She grew up around the Akamichi clan. "Geez all that for just a color?!" she coughed out.
"Actually" Tsunade began "You are gonna have to change your wardrobe there Ino." She informed with a teasing grin.
"Uh, why?" the purple wearing teen asked.
"Purple represents poison, illness, and an unjust end…in other words it means death." Karin informed a little too happily.
Ino glared at her friend "Then why the hell do you wear it?" she barked referring to the redhead's own light lavender top. She instantly regrated her words when she saw Karin's body language flinch.
"Lighter shades are used for funerals…it's worn by mourners" Tsunade gently informed. Still saddened by Kahana's death and feeling guilty of not stopping Danzo sooner. The Senju and Uzumaki were family after all.
"Oh…sorry" the younger blonde apologized getting the hint.
"It's fine" Karin said shaking her head "Once we get to Arashi's capital, and I can finally do a proper Uzumaki burial than maybe I'll finally be able to move on…maybe." She said, not sounding too convinced. She then felt Sakura's chakra "Why do you feel guilty? It wasn't your fault."
"Oh! I was just…realizing that I'm worrying about stupid things, I'm mean you're still mourning your mom. It just makes me feel petty and selfish" Sakura replied in apology.
"Don't be, you have every right to feel that way, mum barely remembered the homeland it had been so long for her. While you, you have to learn to love a complete stranger, but I promise you prince or not Naruto is a really great guy. And I'm sure you will fit right in the Royal court." Karin said "Oh! And credit where its due, Naruto is super cute."
Sakura smiled with her eyes still closed she giggled "Oh really?" she said. But then her curiosity got the best of her "So what about the eldest sibling?" she asked. She noticed Karin's hand got tighter when she asked that.
"Cousin Menma" the redhead sighed sadly.
Tsunade sighed as well "The eldest son, Prince Menma, is dead. He died at the unfortunate age of sixteen three years ago, I'm not sure of what happened but I always assumed it had something to do with Naruko's accident. The most I know is what I know from when he was little and these files. He was a very serious boy, rarely smiled, but he was proud of what he was and where he came from, graciously of course. Truth be told he was actually in line take the role of clan head meaning whoever he married would have been queen."
"I honestly never met him" Karin spoke up again "The few times I met Naruto and Naruko he wasn't there, and never writing to us before or after that, whoever did would give a little sentence or two saying he sent his regards. So, I really don't know that much about him besides what his brother and sister told me. But from what they told me he tended to be a bit mean and cold, but he loved his family and friends, he called himself a protector and strived to be the strongest in his country." Karin said.
Tsunade nodded "Yes, and by the time he died he had achieved that goal in spades. He had a career similar to Itachi Uchiha and Kakashi here, gradating at a young age, and by the time you became Genin he was already Jonin. Probably why you never met him, Karin. While Naruto and his sister were at the Chunin exams he was doing his duties back home."
Sakura got what her master was saying and was very surprised "Wait! You mean the guy I'm supposed to marry was in Konoha? And took the same exam I did?" she asked stunned.
"Well yeah" Karin giggled, finding her surprised aura comical "Don't you remember? I had family over at that time. And couldn't hangout much before the exams? You even met cousin Naruko" she asked.
Ino's eyes widened "That's you're the guy?! That little blonde goofball?! Your telling me he is a prince?!" she exclaimed.
"You met him?" Sakura asked, her eyes opening for the first time to look at her friend in shock "And what do you mean goofball?"
Ino felt really awkward. Oh, she had info about her best friend's new fiancée alright, it wasn't all bad but…well, there was stuff she wasn't sure how her friend would take. But she would never lie to someone she saw as sister, and now Sakura was her mistress to whom she served, so she told the truth. "Well…Karin was showing them around the village and…" so Ino went into her story…