It's been a pretty long time since my last update, hehe but I'm still alive! Thus far I've managed to pass every test thrown at me, but really, I can hardly slack anymore... I know I said I wanted each year to have just one chapter...but Year 3 has taken a convenient plot twist in my head, and thus, I'm stopping it where I have.
Year 3,
1st January – 14th March
Glowing Chains and Gambles.
January arrives with her medical proof and senpai being appointed Division Supervisor.
His first order of business is to sanction her to personally heal patients.
Certainly, everyone knew she healed patients and that she could, but owing to her age, and initial skepticism, she was never granted official right to do so.
One thing senpai did not do, though, was promote her to Medic-nin status.
"I've got to make sure you don't become my boss, right?"
He laughs, and there's not a grain of truth in it.
All joking aside, he wanted her to prove herself, so that she would not be viewed as hanging onto the ends of his coat.
February carries on with normal Ninja classes, and Sakura picks up on Mizuki-sensei's distaste for Naruto.
Sasuke remains relatively stable, though he often wonders out about his Itachi-nii.
His sad, perpetually fond and faithful expressions when speaking of his Nii-chan make her heart clench.
Shikamaru and Chouji do about enough to pass, and dream the rest of class away.
Ino and a huge percentage of girls in the class have fallen head over heels for Sasuke.
Sakura blames their hormones, viewing all her friends as just that and nothing more.
March is kicked off by a surprise Dance class test, which she thankfully passes.
"Because you're missing a couple lessons, so you have to be up to par before I let you go."
She gracefully pivots on the front of her right foot, wrists relaxed and pointing downward at an angle, before she sweeps, twirling, arching her back so that her body forms a curved shape, hands rotating on a complementary axis.
Suzuki-sensei takes the moment to prod at her foot, ensuring her toes are in the right position, helping her keep her balance.
At the sight of sensei's pleased smile, she tightens her stance, knowing that the happier sensei is, the stricter sensei gets.
Sinking to the floor gracefully, the flaps of her kimono fold neatly, and her legs are tucked under her.
Tips of her middle finger and her thumb touching, palms facing up, extended towards the right.
Her head keeps down, eyes drifting only slightly left.
"Think of the item you want to use as an accompaniment."
With that, the convoy slowly pushes out of Konoha.
A trio of non-descript ninja, without clan affiliation, as she requested.
Sakura plotted the route herself, having needed to announce her itinerary as a Merchant Representative in order to be granted neutrality.
Under their rules, every representative was allocated a maximum of 5 guards, inclusive of those meant to protect cargo.
The Fumiyo Representatives were coming with Iron's Samurai, as promised by their Taisho, Mifune.
The Tsubaki were being protected by mercenaries, owing to the current civil war in the Mist meaning that desertion was possible.
Since the Suzuraiden were hosting this meeting, they were sending out ninja to receive all the convoys and ensure representative safety within their borders.
Both the Dokuran and Amachi, like she, the Haruno, had hired ninja from their affiliated ninja village.
From the plans detailed by the other representatives, the Amachi and Tsubaki would be travelling by boat. The Dokuran and Fumiyo would be going by land.
The Dokuran convoy passed Fire Country's border 2 days ago.
Sakura would be passing through the Land of Hot Springs and the Land of Frost, with a day's break in each, to trade and rest.
Though rare, and maybe considered even stupid by some, Sakura intended on paying her guards part way, at every stop point.
Ninja didn't appear to have many vacations, so she would assume they would see things they'd never seen before at the new locations they were going to visit.
To her, paying them would 1. Shift cash off her, 2. Act as a motivator for them, 3. Allow them to fully enjoy living, 4. Wind them down, lessening the chances of an altercation in Kumo.
For her, that was killing more that a few birds with a stone.
The trip to the Village of Hot Springs took around a day and a half, in the midst of which, they took a single 1 hour break.
While she was well aware that chakra gave people near super-human capabilities, she herself could barely jog for an hour straight before succumbing to exhaustion.
Given the relative ease that they chat among each other, it would be apt to assume that she was holding them back, and that they could move much faster, and much longer distances if so needed.
It can't be helped though.
We're carrying civilian goods, and I didn't arrange for that many storage scrolls.
Because this isn't a large expedition, she only arranged for a single, dual horse carriage.
Had the amount of items she was carrying been any greater, they would have had to move even slower.
For the most part, Sakura stays within the confines of the carriage, reading or sleeping.
The previously mentioned break was for lunch.
When they settled down to eat, they seemed almost scandalised at the thought of breaking for more than 15 minutes.
Sakura, however, was more scandalised at the kind of food they were going to eat.
"Also, running on a full stomach causes indigestion. Running on a stomach that is not full means that you will end up lagging behind."
It's a weak logic, but since she is the client after all, they yield.
She rolls open the sealing scroll Chouza-sama labelled 'Meals', chains channelling chakra into 4 inked segments.
Packed lunch poofs out, cellophane sealed and still warm.
Kindly, he'd thought of utensils too, and packed a few sets of metal cutlery.
The ninja examine the cutlery intensely, for a few moments even after she begins to eat.
After they start eating, she assumes that they found a few ways to use the spork as a weapon.
She makes conversation with them, and she reckons that they find her amusing.
"Do ninja out in the field normally eat ration bars for lunch and dinner?"
Among themselves, they swap bits and pieces of food.
"When we refer to field missions, it's rare for ninja to get so lax an escort mission. It's generally the ninjas' job to pack food for themselves. Luxuries like breaks are hard to come by."
The sheer formality in his language makes her wonder if that's how she sounds to them.
"Do ninja have much time off duty? Did you all choose this mission, or were you all deployed?"
They gather up their empty cartons, the ninja with shades setting fire to the pile.
"It really depends. Like Izumo and Kotetsu, they're always on guard duty. Ninja are never really 'off' per say, just whether you're at the Jounin Standby Station, at your division, or on mission."
Her impression of Izumo-san and Kotetsu-san is that they come as a set. Ninja-with-shades seems out of place next to them.
"Divisions?"
Given her age, to them it must sound like an innocent, curious question.
But she's trying to get a feel of their intentions, see exactly how they've been briefed to deal with her.
Prodding lightly for information not that easily given.
"Mmhm, look at Ko and I, we're on the Barrier Team, and we're a QRT, that's why we're at the gates. As the first line of defence. But no one invades other villages nowadays, so gate duty is pretty boring. We jumped at the chance to go on a mission, especially since it's out of our borders."
Barrier team, gates, defence.
Then Konoha has a sensory barrier that is capable of tracking entry and exit of the village.
She notes the light frown on Ninja-with-shades' face.
Considering how free Izumo-san and Kotetsu-san are with their words, they must not have been briefed.
If not them, then Shades must be the one.
"What about you..? Does everyone have a division?"
He pushes up his shades, oh reminiscent of someone else, picking up on her main question.
"Aoba, Yamashiro Aoba. As to my division, I apologise, but it's classified."
Izumo-san snorts, slapping him on the back, "Ah don't be such a spoilsport. All you T & I fellows are always so uptight about work."
Sakura watches something flicker in Kotetsu-san's eyes, something about how tense Aoba-san must become.
But by this point, they've failed.
Sakura knows who she must keep under watch.
"Oh, no, I understand completely. However, Aoba-san, if you make any untoward moves in Kumo, I will not be able to protect you."
Their little group is quiet for a moment, even as she smiles pleasantly.
"Though, I'm sure you were all properly briefed on how to act. Pursue no individual goals, have no separate missions, and act only upon my command. If you violate any of these, then I must, in my capacity as a Trade Representative, denounce you. At the very least, you must know what the criterion I set was. No clan, no bloodline, of no particular interest to Kumo."
The journey there on is fairly stilted, because Aoba-san knows she knows, and now knows his secondary objective is impossible.
Information gathering.
For all the cheer that Izumo-san and Kotetsu-san try to inject, Sakura knows her attitude is frosty, just like Shimo's weather.
It's a stark contrast to the warm steam of the Village of Hot Springs.
Ah, just when we began to warm up to each other.
She shivers lightly, thankful when the Village Hidden in the Frost comes into view.
"We should hurry. I think a snow storm's coming in."
The village gates are open, the watchman having sighted them from afar.
Their rooms are readied, warm and stables filled with fresh hay.
Apologetically, the villagers remark that there's little of worth to trade, but Sakura browses through their crafts.
All over the village, ranging from delicate to elaborate designs, carved or moulded sculptures of snow and ice.
Pretty, but would melt once out of the cold temperatures of the Land of Frost.
There is a variety of things, but close to none are applicable in Fire Country.
All the woollen clothing, specific cuts of cloth that prevent heat loss, inventions that increase liveability in the cold.
Something she buys back is a tea cozy.
If tea poured out from their pots could still be steaming, comparatively, in Konoha, the tea would never cool.
She's not sure if that's a good thing, though.
The temperature begins changing a couple kilometres out of the village.
A slightly less cold wind blows in front of us, and the white snow covering soon exposes patches of yellow rock.
Winds, characteristic of Lightning Country, blow in infrequent gales.
Unlike their snow counterparts, Lightning Country storms are electrical storms.
Weak ones would leave one's clothes singed, but volatile ones would kill.
"Chakra signatures, closing in on the right."
Paranoid as he's meant to be, Aoba-san stations himself in front of me, kunai out.
Izumo-san covers our rear, while Kotetsu-san maintains an unaggressive position.
As implied by their formation, Kotetsu-san would initiate first contact.
Unlike Fire Country, Lightning Country is just uneven plains, huge rock plateaus and wind.
There's little to take cover behind.
Why does that matter though?
Simply because ninja blend into the surroundings of their native terrain.
Konoha-nin stand out amongst yellow rocks, and in this case, it's good.
I relax only after Aoba-san puts down his kunai.
"Kumo-nin. Izumo, stand down."
The 3 ninja on my guard detail stand in a line, stances deceptively relaxed.
What makes me curious is how he can tell the blurred group of 3 or 4 ninja are from Kumo.
Maybe it's his sunshades.
Magnification properties?
Zooming functions?
Chakra powered?
Kotetsu-san steps forward, a small smile on his face, but his chakra is coiled tightly.
The Kumo team, a trio, two female and one male.
"I am Samui, and this is my team, Karui and Omoi. I have been sent by Lord Shirai Suzuraiden to escort Lady Haruno Sakura."
It's a brief introduction that tells me all that I actually need to know.
Information gathering is a secondary, personal goal.
"Kotetsu. Behind me are my partners, Izumo and Aoba. Konoha delegates with Lady Sakura."
I'm well aware of the subtle implications of that statement, the precise wording of 'delegates' protecting them at my expense.
It's necessary, though, if I wish for them to be at my service.
Parting the curtain, I step out carefully, taking a better look at the Kumo-nin.
My pink hair is an obvious indicator of who I am, and they dip their heads in a mark of respect.
The ladies manning the hotel we stayed at in Yu no Kuni did up my hair and picked out a kimono.
They tsked at the short length, stating that it made me look like a cute male child.
Also, I ended up with a white kimono speckled with sakura flowers, and a pink obi.
In my opinion, my hair looks the same as it was in Konoha.
"I am pleased to see the dedication of Lord Shirai. I trust you all are aware of the arrangements?"
They dip their heads once more, and I give credit only to their leader's poker face.
I turn, smiling at Kotetsu-san, "Let us continue."
Aoba-san is dying of curiosity, and then again, so are the Kumo team, albeit more desperately.
Izumo-san and Kotetsu-san are obedient little ninja, merely murmuring assent.
More than the simplistic request for housing and a temporary store I made of Lord Suzuraiden, I'm testing the reactions of the Kumo team.
Karui and Omoi, the darker skinned members of the Kumo team are not all that subtle.
Leader Samui though, has the facial expression down pat.
But I am a doctor.
Her body language gives her away.
The sudden loosening of her shoulders reveals an effort to counter the sudden tensing.
Lord Suzuraiden would have told them where to lead us, but not where my shop would be.
It's of no interest to these Kumo Ninja.
However, in line with the neutrality agreement, the heads of security would be aware of the location of the shop.
Their entry through the gates was cleared beforehand, and they're directed to the Suzuraiden Clan House, where a man who looks like Yamanaka-sama waits.
If Sakura could say so politely, he looked like a short-haired version of Ino-chan, with the height of Yamanaka-sama.
Skin tone a shade lighter, hair a bit thinner, just a slight bit pudgier.
She stifles her laugh, greeting him pleasantly.
He beams, hand outstretched to take hers.
"I hope your journey has been pleasant, Lady Haruno. As you wished, I have arranged for a small store in the merchant district, as well as a rented house nearby. I do hope you find everything to your satisfaction. The meeting will be tomorrow. We're just waiting for Lord and Lady Amachi who will arrive later today."
Sakura lets out a sound of satisfaction, huffing almost in amusement.
"I should like to tour the village. It's rare for me to even get out of Konoha."
Lord Shirai is almost over himself in enthusiasm, nodding eagerly.
"Of course, it would be good for you to gain more worldly experience! As soon as you are settled down, Samui and her team will bring you around, I've hired them for the duration of your stay."
She looks for confirmation with the mentioned team, and they acquiescence.
As she assumed, they've been briefed thoroughly on things that they can say, and what things they can't.
Gentle redirects, and soft turn downs, never an outright no, but Aoba-san is becoming more and more frustrated.
Sakura laughs.
"What do you all specialise in, then? Do all of you specialise in swordplay?"
Karui-san is quick to reply, rambling about how Kumo is the best in terms of sword fighting after the Land of Samurai.
She learns everything but what she asks about, and Samui-san appears to realise their policies are backfiring on them.
But by now, it's too late for new orders to be issued.
"Isn't an overspecialisation? Do you have any medics on your team?"
Omoi-san snorts.
"Lady Haruno, here in Kumo, strength is important. Medics stay in the hospital and we protect them. We don't buy the Konoha idea of a medic on every team."
In turn, Karui snaps back a question at her.
"Though, who's the medic among Kotetsu-san, Izumo-san and Aoba-san?"
It's a sensitive question really, but they bristle at the mild jibe.
Sakura slides in smoothly, "None of them are, actually. I am."
There's a stunned silence after, on the Kumo end, as they continue towards the hospital.
She hears Izumo-san snicker behind her, and Kotetsu-san flashes her a thumbs up.
Glass doors open for her motely group of 7, and the Head Medic is there to greet them.
She requests to view their medical expertise, and offers her aid, hands slipping into the scrubs with practised ease.
Not-so-politely, the Head Medic tells the Kumo team to wait in the main hall.
She gathers it's the lack of respect that gets to the Head Medic, that makes him turn the, "Battle hungry savages," away from the protection of the hospital.
It's implied that non-medically trained ninja are unwelcome, and she tells her ninja to remain outside.
She's not about to give Aoba-san's identity of the chakra control expert in the team away.
Oh why should she care?
Even if unwillingly, they have chains of their own.
She doesn't want to feel the way Mikoto-sama made her feel when she died ever again.
She heals the children her age and below, because they should be out in the sun or at home having fun.
Not going on trips over a hundred kilometres away alone, or cooped up in the hospital.
Her chains allow her to easily heal 10, 20 at a time, because the chains are still sentient and they exactly what to do without much individual direction.
The Head Medic looks almost reverently at her chains glowing a pale green.
It's dangerous, stupid, almost, showing off such skills in a village that lusts for power and rare bloodlines.
"It's a form of chakra manipulation that anyone with sufficient chakra control and reserves can do."
She bends the truth there, because as far as she knows, the closest senpai can make is a multitude of chakra strings.
"To think that Konoha has progressed so greatly in terms of medical techniques… oh, if only Kumo would devote even half as much effort into it…"
He sounds almost wistful.
They move onto a higher class ward, by passing a few curious medics.
"Is this alright? Isn't there some kind of required clearance level?"
The medic snorts, just like Omoi-san did.
"They think they're so good that anyone who gets in is safe. Besides, the hospital is autonomous, the only times we even report to our Raikage are at the end of the year. We're understaffed, any help rendered relieves my staff of much burden."
Sakura would be surprised, but the circumstances fit her fine.
"How interested would you be in engaging in business with me?"
Because they are both unscrupulous and these are human lives they are dealing with.
"I am pleased to think this way, Lady Haruno. If it will give our patients a higher chance of recovery, I would be willing to do many things."
"A few years back, the Head Ninja of Kumogakure was killed in Konoha. In exchange, the body of his killer was given to Kumo to keep our tenuous peace treaty. What happened to the body after?"
She heals a lighting burn arching across a ninja's chest, the Head Medic following up and filling the charts.
"I will admit this only to you in private, even if this is an open secret. We attempted an extraction of his eyes, but once removed, it turned to ash. The body was kept in stasis as we tried to break the seal on the eyes. Eventually, the stasis seal broke down, and the body began to rot. It was cremated, and now sits next to a couple samples."
Ashes.
Now, Sakura doesn't know the child of the dead man.
But Sakura knows the brother of the dead man, and knows the niece of the man for whom he died.
Knowing that his ashes sit in a hospital laboratory, that…doesn't sit very well with her.
"Now before you ask, Lady Haruno, I cannot give you the samples back."
Her tone is light, polite even.
"Oh, I have no interest the living samples you'll need for further research. All I want are those ashes."
The Head Medic seems almost stunned.
Oh she knows.
A true person wishing to engage in business would be pleased, extremely so.
But he's stunned, because he was briefed otherwise.
"Surely you have no real use for an urn of carbon? However, when I think of those ashes, I think of a family who sent him to die and could not conduct a memorial."
She glides over to a kunoichi, nerves dead in both arms, still trying out neural therapy.
Using senpai's speciality, she numbs the active nerve clusters, meticulously re-wiring each and every nerve pathway, re-linking them to her chakra system.
The lady twitches her right ring finger, eyes wide in bewilderment.
Sakura turns, because she's a merchant here.
"I await your reply by tonight, Head Medic."
Even if her heart aches for someone whose only skill has been ripped from her.
She only hopes that things work out for her.
She and that dark haired, dark eyed lady.
If there are readers who enjoy trying to guess my plotline, this lady is going to be quite crucial in terms of Sakura's relationship with certain people. I've already hinted who she is in prior chapters, and she was meant to be the main focus of this, but well, the Hyuga thing reared it's head. If you'd like to guess specific names, please PM me hehe. Otherwise, vague references that will drive review readers mad are welcome :))
