Chapter Six-The Sakura War (Part 1)
Disclaimer: ............ Honestly, at this point, is anyone even reading this? I could probably get away with claiming that Sasuke is mine!
-laughs-
Warning: Angst (Yep, still here...), EVIL SAKURA, a new technique, and Needle Man (!). Rating: P.G.ish for sheer evilness on Sakura's part. And a lot of foul language from Ryu-ko/Yoru. However, due to something that happens between Ryu-ko and Sasuke I have to rate this chapter P.G. 13. Pairing: SasuYoru for the entire fic. Definitely SuiKara now. And probably KakashiKarma. I'm still thinking about that one. Author's Notes: No, this story hasn't died!!! I'm so very sorry for the long update; I've had a long bout of writer's block and choose to use that time to work on other stories. I swear that I will see this story through to the end, and I mean it too.This chapter is divided into two parts. The first part is mainly about a recovery of memory; the second is about Sakura's war. –heheh- You'll see what I mean...
Now, this is going to be a funny chapter... I have some great ideas, and my Co-authors, Shiinji (who runs the 'A Daughter's Honor' ministories series) and Komei (who helps him out) are gonna' help me out. Thank Kami!!
If there is anything you really want to see happen in this story (within reason, that is), don't hesitate to tell me. I'll be glad to work it in somehow.
One last thing. This has got to be one of the cutest chapters that I've ever written. I hope that you enjoy it.
Chapter Dedication: Hm. This Chappie Dedication goes to...
-drumroll- ChoongSung!!! I absolutely love your character, Tei. He's so much fun to play with!! -holds Tei-plushie by its arms and starts making it dance- Keeeeee!!!!
-cutscene-
Chapter Six-The Sakura War (Part 1)
Wow. What a lucky day this was!
A young genin walked through the village, hands behind his head as he looked around. Having just scored some money from an unsuspecting fool, he was out to scare up some grub.
'Hey...what's that..?'
He walked closer to the figure he had seen lying on the ground, and lightly nudged it. It stirred, a moan escaping from its mouth.
"HEY! Are you okay?!"
He bent down, checking the girl's pulse. It was alright, she just seemed to be stunned.
'Well, she can't just stay lying out here...'
He shouldered his pack, and lifted up the girl.
'Damn, I need to work out more...and there goes my dinner...'
-cutscene-
Ryu-ko was caught within the midst of a horrible dream. A dark figure was chasing her, and she couldn't find the way out of the shadowy realm. When she finally stopped running and prepared to face her chaser, the dream abruptly ended.
She awoke and sat up to find herself on a mat on the floor of another unfamiliar room. Mentally, she wondered why she always seemed to end up in this situation, when some strange guy walked in.
"Hey, you're up. Good, I thought that you'd sleep forever."
He had short, spiky, black hair with red tips. His dark cat-shaped, forest green eyes were wide and curious. He couldn't be no more than her own age, but she didn't recognize him from those she'd seen at the Ninja Academy; so maybe he was already on a team?
"I'm Rashi Suijin. You were knocked out on the street, so I brought you here. Don't worry; I didn't do anything to you."
He lifted up his hands in a gesture that signified innocence, and Ryu-ko believed him. She shook her head slowly, trying to clear her slightly befuddled head.
"My name is Yor...Ryu-ko! It's Ryu-ko!"
"Do you even know your name?"
"I'm not even sure about that anymore..."
Standing up, Ryu-ko cracked her shoulders, which were stiff from lying on the floor.
"Listen. Thank you for helping me, but I really need to be getting back. Can you show me to the Kyuui Shrine?"
"Uh...yah. But why do you want to go there?"
"I've been staying there for the past while. The priestesses are nice enough, I guess."
It was Suijin's turn to shake his head.
"I'll take you about half-way. There isn't any way that you are going to get me closer. That head priestess is EVIL, and I'll swear on it too."
Ryu-ko actually laughed at the indignant look on the boy's face. Obviously, he had run-ins with Mikomi before. And yes, the old woman could be quite a terror if you stepped wrong around her.
-cutscene-
Waving a farewell to her new friend, Ryu-ko suddenly found herself standing right before the once-home of the Uchiha Clan. Beside it, and boarded up just like the other, was the Fuyu Clan's lair.
Drawn to the door, Ryu-ko broke the seal and edged inside the dilapidated building. Someone hasn't been here in a long time, she reflected as she looked around. What she found that her eyes noticed first was a set of old photographs still sitting up on the mantle of a fireplace. She was struck with another brief memory...
-cutscene-
"Go fish. My turn, Sasu! Do you have a...eight of hearts?"
"Nope. Go fish to that!"
She laughed, feeling warm and happy inside of her. The cracking fire burned within the fireplace behind her, and they were curled up playing a game of 'Go Fish' on the carpet in front of it.
"Here you two go. Hot cocoa."
A beautiful woman walked into the room from the kitchen, carrying two mugs of cocoa. They tossed down their cards, taking the cocoa from her mother.
"Thanks mommy!"
"Yay! Thanks Mrs. Kaioh"
"You are very welcome, Sasuke. Are you sure that Itachi didn't want to come over?"
Sasu took a sip of the hot cocoa.
"No. He was busy again."
Her mother nodded then left the room. Forgetting how hot the cocoa was, she took a big drink of it.
"OWIE!!"
"Yoru-chan, you okay?"
She yelped, tears running from her eyes due to the pain. Looking up, she could see Sasu's face very close to hers. Leaning over, he gave her a small and quick kiss on the cheek.
"There you go! I gave you a kiss, so it should feel better now!"
-cutscene-
Ryu-ko lightly touched her cheek, and then moved to the fireplace. With a shaking hand, she lifted up the photos one by one.
The gray eyes of a powerfully built man captured her own. The man was laughing in the picture, holding a tiny baby fondly.
The next picture was of a little girl, fingers curled on the side of her mother's leg tightly as she stared fearfully at the camera.
And the last...the last was a picture of the family and Sasu's. They all looked so happy, so peaceful in the picture that she wondered what had happened to them all.
A voice suddenly rung out behind her.
"Are you here for a reason, Ryu-ko? Or are you just poking around?"
"Sasuke!?"
She whirled on him, gray eyes meeting him in a fearful gesture. She sighed in relief when it was really him, not someone else.
"...hm..."
He strode over, taking the last picture from her hands and flinching when he looked at it. His hand clenched, and the frame cracked.
"Things that have been buried should stay buried for a reason. It isn't right for you to be here amongst the belongings of the dead."
"Sasuke..."
"Go home, Ryu-ko. You don't belong here among the dead. Go."
"Sasu."
He froze when he heard that nickname slip from her lips, and slowly turned his head.
"What did you say?"
"Sasu...?"
His hand started to shake, and Sasuke let go of the picture. It crashed to the floor; the glass surface shattering.
"Y-Yoru?"
"...I-I think...I...I...don't..."
His face was suddenly inches away from Ryu-ko's, and she didn't move for the fear of causing him to hit her again.
"Is...is it really you? Can it really be you?"
Sasuke's voice cracked harshly, and he cupped her face in one trembling hand.
"Oh, Yoru. I believed that you were dead! That Itachi had..."
"Please don't call me that, Sasuke. Yoru really is dead. Itachi killed her long ago. Maybe one day she will return, but...I...I'm Ryu-ko now. I cannot change the person that I've become, just the same as you cannot change who you've become. I...cannot remember all that happened that day...but I know that it was something that changed us both. We can never go back to how we once were; our childhood and innocence are gone. I'm sorry, but you have to believe that."
Sasuke listened to her every word, and then suddenly drew her into a tight and powerful hug. Ryu-ko could feel his tears rain lightly onto her neck, in which he had buried his face into.
"I won't ever let you go. No matter how much that you've change, you will always be my Yoru. My best friend."
Ryu-ko placed a hand on Sasuke's back, and allowed herself to close her eyes. This...felt right to her, and she knew that what was meant to be will always find a way...
-cutscene-
Meanwhile...
Haruno Sakura had followed Sasuke to the building, and she was peering into the window when he had hugged Ryu-ko. With fire burning within her eyes and a murderous intent, she stormed away to plan Ryu-ko's demise.
'Just you wait until tomorrow...'
-cutscene-
"Sasuke, I would rather not let anyone know about me yet."
The two genin walked slowly toward the shrine where Ryu-ko stayed, enjoying the evening breeze and cool night air. At Sasuke's confused look, she elaborated more.
"I mean, there are still a lot of things that I do not remember. Couldn't we just wait until I at least remember all that took place on that day?"
"I could always tell you, Ryu-ko. But it wouldn't be the same, would it?"
"Not really. It would be better if I did this on my own. Sorry, Sasu."
He nodded. It was as he expected. If Ryu-ko was anything like she used to be, than she was one to do things for herself rather than depend on others to do it for her.
"Yor...Ryu-ko..."
They had stopped in front of the shrine. Sasuke stared for the longest moment at it, and then turned to Ryu-ko. He started to blush faintly and stare at the ground. Ryu-ko tilted her head, confused.
"Is there something the matter, Sasu?"
"Can you kiss me?"
"What!?"
"I knew that was a stupid question...never mind."
Turning, he started to walk away. Ryu-ko was now even more confused, but she still reached out for Sasuke's arm and caught it.
"Wait."
He stopped, his back still turned towards her. She thought deeply, and then nodded. Knowing that he couldn't see that action, she whispered softly.
"Yes...I'll kiss you if you want..."
Ryu-ko had been caught off guard by the question, and she was hoping that she wouldn't regret this later. But then she suddenly knew that this was a decision that she would never regret for as long as she lived.
Sasuke turned, and whatever he was about to say was abruptly cut off by a sweet and gentle press of Ryu-ko's lips against his. She was obviously new at this, and the kiss was over almost as soon as it started. Sasuke smiled, and then shook his head.
"That's not how you do it. Here...let me show you."
He almost violently shoved his lips onto hers with bruising force. But then, when he felt her start to tense up and grow fearful, he gentled it. His tongue darted out, lightly brushing against Ryu-ko's lips in a soothing motion.
"Easy...easy now... I won't hurt you, I promise..."
He whispered into her mouth, his hands tugged lightly on the hem of her shirt and then moved up to her mid-back. She shivered, and Sasuke pressed his lips once again against hers.
'I'm in trouble.'
Ryu-ko thought, and Sasuke let the tip of his tongue once again run across her lips; begging for entrance.
She parted her mouth slightly, a bit confused by what she was supposed to do. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, swirling the sensitive muscle around hers. She clenched his shirt tightly in her hands, shocked by the array of emotions and sensations that she felt.
Sasuke pulled away, and looked down at her. With one last light kiss, he turned and started walking away. Ryu-ko couldn't find the strength to even move, one hand was placed to her lips stunned.
'Where...where did he learn to kiss like that...?'
-cutscene-
Kakashi had been going to visit Mikomi and see how Ryu-ko's progress had been since he couldn't seem to locate Karma, but he stopped when he had seen Ryu-ko and Sasuke walk up together. Not knowing what exactly was going to take place; he hid and watched the entire event unfold from the time she grabbed Sasuke's arm to him leaving. For her sake, Kakashi waited until she had entered the shrine and when Sasuke walked by him before he reached out and grabbed his genin.
"Busy night?"
"No."
Sasuke answered automatically after his initial jump in surprise at Kakashi's abrupt entrance. At the disbelieving look on Kakashi's face, he knew.
"How much did you see?"
"Enough. Sasuke, don't hurt her more than she has been already. She had felt more pain that even I have been through."
"You don't think that I know that!? I'd never hurt Y...Ryu-ko. She means too much to me."
Kakashi sighed.
"Follow me, Sasuke. We need to talk."
-cutscene-
Author's Notes: -dodges kunai thrown her way- Heh, perfect place to end Part 1. Just you wait until Part 2 arrives; it'll be well worth the wait.
Please note that my request line is open, so drop in one if you are interested.
Just a suggestion, but while you wait, why don't you go and check out my 'Tiger's Tears' story? It's my first completed request. I almost started crying while I was typing the ending and the epilogue; it's so sad. Go see. –sniffsniff-
