Hello Lovelies,
I've been working day and night the last few weeks. Granted, I could have made time but I was hanging with a few friends that were moving. Just think of this as a well awaited chapter.
Plus, I had to put together the ending of the story before continuing the chapters in between. So far, I'm so excited. :D
Enjoy!
NuteWelt01
The next few hours passed by without a hitch. Somehow Itachi was able to convince his parents and Sasuke that Sakura's absence was no big deal the next morning. He wasn't entirely sold on the idea of lying when the real work was finding out where his charge went in the first place. The scent of blue chakra weaving between different trees disappeared in the middle of the village. It was the first time his Sharingan was unable to find useful evidence like a footprint or broken branch. Somehow the whole situation became bigger than he anticipated.
His mind was constantly wondering back to the memories inner-Sakura showed him the night before, but if he took a hammer to a wall, it would be a disaster. The image inside his head would shatter causing a dystopia of fragmented thoughts. It was possible Sakura fled the village. Worse case scenario he would need to hunt her down and drag her back. Unless…unless there was some where she could hide out for a longer period of time without being noticed.
A smirk pulled on Itachi's less than expressive features. From what inner-Sakura showed him, the nearest hiding place would be a memory of solace. An intricate maze of knowledge where no one would look in the back rooms closed on certain days unless requested. A place any shinobi could learn about their history knowing they would read half the truth and fault – the library. Jumping from his place on the top of the Uchiha manor Itachi sped from his home at top speed. He entered the middle of town blurring into the shadows to avoid attention. His hurried pace would alert off duty ninja nearby and he didn't want to explain how or when he lost his charge. The Hokage would be disappointed if he got a whiff of the problem.
Jumping on the roof of an apartment building Itachi saw the entrance to the library. It was deserted; a common time that shinobi and civilians alike were working early in the day. He took the chance to slide down from his perch with ease. Once he was in the building his steps ceased looking about for the librarian. The dark wooden pillars on either side of the entrance made it hard to see. Eventually, a head of dark brown leaning over a thick book popped up from the side. An older lady, possibly in her forties looked up. The only sound being his foot steps to drawing nearer received a curious glare. Librarians were notorious for such an expression.
"May I help you?"
And the voice matched. A woman neither happy or unhappy in circumstances protecting the knowledge of history. The slow frown indicated Itachi should hurry up with his answer.
"Where are your private study rooms? I wanted to rent one for a few hours."
The woman stared for a moment. A contract was handed to him with a two-hour time limit stamped on the top. He took it with a nod following the librarian's directions towards the back of the library. Itachi never strayed to explore the wide hallways and deep bookshelves in his younger years. It was uncommon for Uchiha's to research anything in the public library. Somehow this all started with their Patriarch Madara Uchiha; something about 'Konoha rewriting history to fit their needs'. Shaking his head, Itachi strolled along the tall bookshelf's reaching the back of the library ten minutes later. No need to dwell on the past, he was here now.
The private study rooms were lined up between book shelves hidden behind thick velvet curtains. Their dark material made the long hallway ominous, almost unapproachable for a library. Sliding back each curtain he would peak through the window in the door. Most of them were empty while others held warmth from a studying chunin or small genin teams. When he reached the end of the lain four more rooms were left. Unmasking three of them pulled a deep-rooted sigh from the teen; they were all empty. Pulling the curtain back from the last door Itachi nearly glared at the empty seat on the other side of the wooden table. Just when he decided to step back a sandal clad foot slipped from under the table before pulling itself back in. Steady with the handle he opened the door with ease and stepped into the room with little to no sound. Walking five feet towards the table he dropped to a knee peaking under it.
Sakura's pink hair stood out against the wooden floor tickling the top of her nose. Her body was curled into a ball on the ground clutching each hand to her chest. Itachi's gaze softened from the red of her cheeks to the tense position of her shoulders. It must have been a hard night here. He wouldn't ask how she managed to break into the library without being seen.
Itachi managed to disengaged himself from those lingering thoughts to reach out a hand. Cool fingers touched the bone of Sakura's ankle lightly wrapping around the appendage. Her body didn't move at first, a limp noddle snoozing away the day, until he pulled her towards him. The heel of her other foot came extremely close to breaking his nose. He caught it leaning away from the offending limb.
Sakura wasn't completely awake but the leg kept pressing against Itachi's palm with a certain amount of strength. A swarm of blue chakra accumulated at her heel spreading to the other side of her foot; In a haste he let it go leaning back on his feet.
"Sakura."
It wasn't a whisper. In this situation there wasn't a reason to prolong the process.
"Sakura wake-up."
"Wake-up."
She always prided herself in knowing what would come next, the possibility of being ahead of the game instead in the background, lost in translation somewhere. At least the voice beckoning her out of a restless sleep was stern. The complete opposite of what it would take remove her sprawled form in the private study room on the floor. Sakura automatically opened her eyes when the voice persisted again.
Okay, this was getting out of hand.
Sure, the nearest hiding spot was the center of her world, spanning from when she was a kid to her young adult years – the library. It didn't take a nerd to understand the cramped room, desk and chair sitting in the middle of the room were gone. This office was wider and the faces the Hokage mountain could be seen from a window on the other side of the room. She never would forget the rush of chakra sticking the soles of her feet to the window pane; Or a scroll hitting her in the face because Kakashi's habits of showing up late started to stick. An experience she missed immensely in peaceful times.
"Get up girl. Is this how you would greet your Hokage?"
Sakura felt the air suck right out the room. Emerald eyes stared, unflinching and afraid if she blinked the image would fade away. The person standing in front of the old wooden desk with a sake cup clasped in her palm (she almost choked out a laugh if it wasn't for the tears) and an impatient gaze held her own. A hand cupped the lower half of her face unable to hold back the sadness and relief she felt in that moment. Legs moving on their own volition the short distance it took to hug the large bosomed woman with all her might was short. Fiery hazel eyes softened as a mother would to their child; a hand laid on Sakura shoulder for support.
"Is this a dream?" Sakura asked, tone grave with worry.
Tsunade placed another palm on the girls shoulder gently pushing her back to look down at the pink haired girl. The difference in age took effect. The older woman expected nothing less of her apprentice to remember the future. Thin lips pulled into a fine line at Sakura's reddened features and dark cloud figuratively hanging over her head.
"No, this is neither a dream or a memory. I am…here in spirit."
Sakura finally looked up at her mentor trying to understand what she meant. It was possible the last time she closed her eyes Tsunade died right after. The inner turmoil and confusion seen in green eyes in was seen by Tsunade. Then the older woman took a step back, Hokage robes sweeping against the floor, until sitting behind the wooden desk. She leaned forward clasping each hand together. An unseen purpose reflecting in each action.
Understanding this was about business now rather than a crying fest Sakura buckled down the linger need to hug her mentor once again. There would be time after and Tsunade would need to pry her body off before she let go. Standing up straight Sakura nodded ready for her mentor's answer. Tsunade nearly smiled at the display, proud of Sakura's quick recovery.
"I was killed by Uchiha Madara in this office, right where you are standing."
Those words struck a chord so deep Sakura thought she might fall over. Tsunade continued, wasting no time diving into her story.
"Before he did, I was able to complete a reanimation justu similar to Chiyo of the Sand when used on Garra. The development of this justu started after Orochimaru died but failed multiple times."
There was significance in that statement. Again, Sakura waited to hear the full story and Tsunade was willing to indulge her.
"The last ignited a fire within my office." Tsunade let a small chuckle slip. The memory reminded the older woman that times were not so hard. Clearing her throat, she continued.
"I was able to subdue Madara for a short period of time. It took every last bit of my chakra and the rest of my soul to bring you back Sakura. These are not ordinary circumstances anyone can be placed in." She said, "I trust your judgement. You will make the right choices to finish the mission."
Sakura waited again wondering if there would be more. While it was great to hear some part in how she came to be in a different time, it didn't answer most of her questions, it made less sense than when she first awoke. A time she still cannot commit to memory.
The anxious expression must have tipped Tsunade off. Her blonde head nodded giving Sakura permission to speak her mind. By the way Tsunade seemed to relax, Sakura didn't think she was taking the situation seriously.
"Could you explain the mission to me? I was sent back before the Uchiha clan was massacred. How can I help change that? I'm under suspicion from the Hokage, Itachi Uchiha and array of people I probably don't know about. Shishou, I'm alone. I don't have access to my chakra and there is no way I can demonstrate the amount of knowledge I have without being thrown into a dungeon."
She held her breath debating if spilling her most inner thoughts were a bad idea. The blank expression suddenly occupying her mentor's face made Sakura rethink some of those words. A nervous tick started in her brow. It had come to the point where she shifted, feeling like the young naïve girl she once was bursting into Tsunade's office demanding she take her on as an apprentice. It felt like forever standing there, watching her mentor's hazel eyes access and calculate what to do next.
"What did I first teach you when I took you on as an apprentice?"
This threw the younger woman for a loop. Knowing exactly which technique her master inquired about the words slipped easily.
"Medical ninjutsu."
"Exactly, use this technique to change the outcome of the situation. Trust to find the solution in places that are unexpected. You are to keep people alive who should be…could be alive. Many of these individuals contribute to each circumstance leading up towards the Uchiha massacre and thereafter."
For a moment, Sakura felt lost in her own little world as if this idea never dawned on her. So many days were spent keeping secrets safe, lying to people and doubting her very presence in the past. She almost felt bad about causing Itachi so much grief when in reality he probably deserved every bit of her wrath. His attitude down to the very last-
"Sakura." Her mentor's no-nonsense attitude interrupted the train of thought. Sakura's sheepish smile was enough for Tsunade to not comment further. It was first and possibly the last the older would see.
"Yes Shishou. I understand what I must do."
Sakura's admission made Tsunade happy.
As happy as a spirit from the future in another reality could get.
Tsunade stared, a grim truth yet to be said. Something about Sakura's optimism to make the future better caused a lump in her throat, but nothing of the likes would stop the Sannin from giving every bit of information. No matter how hard it came to continuously break someone, there would always be a silver lining at the end. She was content in her choice to sacrifice body and soul for the greater good, but was Sakura the same? Her apprentice was intelligent, head-strong and agitating how correct she was at times. These features were harnessed in training to bring the best out of Sakura. Without Team-Seven and the Rookie Eleven to harness a plethora of friendship and support, Tsunade wasn't sure who would anchor her apprentice when the hammer came down. When times were harder to bare alone.
Ignoring the tingle of excitement finally entering every fiber of Sakura being, Tsunade watched it chip away in a matter of seconds. An easy reaction to what she said next,
"There is one more thing you should know. Once you have stopped the Uchiha massacre – a price will be paid for using the jutsu."
Sakura freezes up to the point where breathing was hard. Her jaw dropped but then snapped shut.
"What do you mean?"
"The justu I preformed was to get you through the exact time of the Uchiha massacre. A little time after, the jutsu will cease to exist in this current time. One thing your inner-soul should have coincided with you."
"You met my other-"
"A complete accident in the process. Now I understand where the anger comes from."
It wasn't meant to be a joke.
Rather a small comment to lighten the mood but didn't help in the slightest.
Desperation settled in Sakura, clawing its way to the surface until rearing its ugly head. If Sakura finished the mission something may happen to her. She didn't know what and judging by Tsunade resolute tone, it would not end well.
Her eyes were wide open.
There wideness didn't banish their glassy exterior.
Or her inner thoughts going down a dark path.
The Hokage sighed, unable to take any of her words back. It would mean leaving the future where it was. She knew sending Sakura to the past would be tricky. Dealing with the repercussion in an emotional way was bound to happen. Yet, the competent young woman that stood in front of Tsunade, displaying abilities beyond her on the battlefield, in what seemed hours ago was fading. Her lips pulled into a thin line.
"I paid the toll in full."
"With your life."
"That is what a ninja does for their village. Would you not do the same?"
Sakura felt a deep hollowness in her chest. Her loyalties were never questioned before. As a ninja, an apprentice of the Hokage and member of Team Seven, Sakura never considered she had a choice in anything other than making sure her important people were safe. Now that each one of them were gone, decimated by the one teammate she thought would come back to them and killed by a dead man with a vendetta far deeper than she assumed; Sakura wanted nothing more than to die.
She didn't want to be the last survivor.
She wanted to see them again.
Sakura opened her eyes and squinted at the dim overhead light. She wanted to stretch out of the curled position but refused. The other presence in the study room crouched near her form and waited. Lifting tired eyes, they met the onyx of Itachi's quietly.
Limbs circled around his neck tugging the teen close. Falling on one knee, Itachi didn't know whether to hug back or push the other teen away. It is unlike the strong personality of the girl he knew to show weakness. Sakura held on with increased strength, to somehow find a need to survive the ordeal she was going through.
Tucking a hand on the back of her head, the cries of distress and heartbreak muffled against Itachi's shirt didn't echo as much.
I'm backkk!
Some major survivors' guilt there but you know why Tsunade sent her back and for how long now. I was writing to 1-800-273-8255 by Logic which shaped much of the last stent of how Sakura was feeling. I know what the song is about, do not fault me in writing when the feeling strikes. More will be revealed in the next chapter about Sakura's answer the question.
- NuteWelt01