And Then...
Chapter Five
History
Sakura grumbled slightly as she followed Akatsu along unwillingly to the forested area where she had previously been training with Kakashi.
"Ne, Akatsu, what kind of training are we going to be doing?" She asked once they had reached the spot.
"Well, first I'm going to teach you a little about the history of the Winged, since you most likely don't remember any of it. And then we will go over some of the basic techniques you already know, and import some of the Winged techniques to increase the power of them. If we have time, and if you have enough energy left, I'll start teaching a few of the bloodline abilities that we are granted." Akatsu explained as he settled himself onto the grass, his legs stretched out before him.
"Um, okay." Sakura said meekly as she sat herself down beside him.
"Well, do you have any specific questions about the Winged before I begin?" Akatsu started as he lazily chewed on a blade of grass.
"Why exactly am I the queen?" Sakura asked quietly as she absentmindedly plucked at the grass around her.
"Well, you know of the Hyuuga family, right? We are...similar to them. You were born into the position of Shiraha, a person who is not entitled to the full abilities of the queen, but is next up in the running when the current queen dies or is killed. In actuality, "queen" is too...formal a word for you. In truth, you are in the same position as the Hokage of this village, except you are the Goukage of our village." Akatsu said as he stared up at the sky.
"Huh? But I thought the title of a Kage was only given to the strongest ninja in the village...wait a minute, we have a village?" Sakura asked as blinked, confused. Akatsu chuckled slightly.
"Sort of. Eight years ago, there was a war between the Hidden Sand Village, and our village, the Hidden Void Village. It's a weird name, but I wasn't the one to make it up, so whatever. Anyways, during the war, the current Goukage, your mother, was killed in battle. And you, being the only one who could become the Goukage, were too young at the time to take over the role, so our people became disobedient, and without a leader, we eventually lost the war. We split into groups, though most of us had died. I had taken you to safety, but I was attacked from behind, and you were taken from me. I trained, and finally found you." Akatsu said as he stopped for a breath.
"Then what about our village?" Sakura asked as she stared up at Akatsu.
"Well, the few of us that were left got back together, and we are currently rebuilding the village that we lost all those years ago. And now, we can finally have you back. Though you are not as strong physically as a Kage, you surpass most with your mind and Chakra control. With some heavy training, you should be able to be mentally ready to fully take on the role of the Goukage. In the mean time, you'll just have to bluff that you're really, really strong so people won't think we're a weak village." Akatsu continued as Sakura stared toward the ground.
"So...does that mean that I am not a ninja of Konoha?" Sakura asked quietly. Akatsu blinked, then smiled slightly.
"Actually, our village is not quite finished yet, so you are still a shinobi of the Leaf." Sakura turned her up to him and smiled, her emerald green eyes dancing.
"Ah! So, um, why couldn't you become the Goukage?" Sakura asked once she had settled down again. She frowned when Akatsu's eyes darkened.
"Because, like the Hyuugas', we have a Main Family, and a Branch Family. Even though I was your twin brother, and born first, I was still moved the Branch Family, mainly because I was a male. In all of our history, a male has never taken on the role of Goukage, so one of the Goukage's in the past deemed that only females would have the first right to become the Goukage." Akatsu explained sourly.
"Oh." Sakura responded quietly.
"Well, anyways, anymore questions?" Akatsu asked, returning to his cheery self.
"Um, no, not really." Sakura said as she shrugged her shoulders. Akatsu nodded.
"Good. Then we can begin your training. First, I want you to show me your Taijutsu skills." Akatsu said as he stood up, Sakura following.
"You mean we're sparring?" She squeaked. Akatsu only smirked before he disappeared.
"HEY! WAIT A MINUTE!" Sakura screeched as she clumsily dodged his fists.
"Haha, you can't ask for a minute in a real fight, Sakura-chan!" Akatsu taunted as threw another punch, this time grazing her cheek, leaving a small red scratch.
Sakura's mouth dropped as her eyes widened as Akatsu punched his fist into her stomach.
"That punch to the cheek, was a distraction..." Sakura gasped out as she crumbled to the ground, clutching her stomach. A triumphant Akatsu standing above her with a smirk on his face.
"Well, so far, you suck in Taijutsu. Now let's try Ninjutsu, shall we? You should be better in Ninjutsu and Genjutsu, mainly because of your amazing Chakra control, and that you are very smart. Begin!" Akatsu shouted as he moved his left foot behind his right foot, and put his arms up in a defensive position in front of his face.
"Eh?" Sakura screeched as a powerful gust of wind blew her backwards into a tree.
"Come on, Sakura! That was horrible! Concentrate on your environment! Use the trees, ground, even the air to your advantage!" Akatsu commanded as he did the same stance as before, only this time Sakura was watching him carefully. She narrowed her eyes as she saw him performing several seals with his hands before moving them into the defensive position.
I see it...
She quickly jumped to the right, and then kicked off the ground, adding a small amount of Chakra to her feet to get a higher jump. She watched in fascination as the attack that was coming for her hit the tree, causing it split into many splinters.
Woah...did I just dodge that?
"Nice, but you're open for another attack!" Akatsu called just before a kunai hit her in the thigh.
"Damn it!" She cursed as she fell towards the earth head first.
At this rate we're going to crash! I gotta think of something...
Use the trees, ground, even the air to your advantage!
That's it! If I can get enough Chakra into my hands and feet, then I can grab onto a tree as I'm going down! But I'll have to maneuver myself in the air so that I actually go by a tree...
Sakura grit her teeth as she twisted her body to the right, pushing her weight against the air so that she was now aiming for a tree.
Now!
She quickly concentrated Chakra to her hands and feet, and a few seconds later she was connected to the tree, eyes wide.
"Very good, though it seems we have company right now, so we will have to postpone our training until tomorrow..." Akatsu said as Sakura released the Chakra and jumped to the ground.
"Company?" She asked, confused as she looked around, seeing no one.
"You are very talented if you could sense my presence." A voice hissed through the coming dusk, malice and bitterness evident in the tone.
"And you are lucky that I decided not to kill you on the spot. What is your reason for spying on us?" Akatsu demanded as he took a protective position in front of very surprised Sakura.
"Relax, I only wanted to see what this young cherry blossom could do..." The voice said with a chuckle.
"I suggest you show yourself now, else I'll be forced to kill you." Akatsu warned as several kunai appeared in his hands.
"Very well." The voice said quietly as a cloaked figure stepped from the shadows.
"Better, but now tell us who you are." Akatsu growled as he went into a defensive stance.
"You will find out my name soon enough. Be warned, though, the next time you see me will be the last..." It hissed before disappearing into the shadows. Sakura blinked as she caught the eyes of the person inside of the cloak, and fear swept through her.
W-what? Why...am I so scared of him? His eyes...there was something...dangerous in them...
"Sakura-chan, I think it's time we head back. You will need your rest for tomorrow." Akatsu said as the kunai disappeared.
"Um, okay, but where are you going to stay, Akatsu?" Sakura asked as the two headed for the village square.
"Don't worry about me." He said with a smile.
"Oyasumi!" Sakura called to him as she ran home, a bright smile on her face.
"Oyasumi, Sakura-chan..." Akatsu said softly as he waved to the retreating girl. As soon as she was out of his sight, his eyes darkened as his shoulders slunk.
Who was the man that we saw earlier? And what is his interest in us? He smelled of reptilians...Could he be? No...not possible. He disappeared years ago...he would be dead by now...Though it's better to be safe than sorry. I'll have to contact the pervert and the gambler...Damn, this sucks...
Akatsu continued his thoughts as he walked along, unaware that he was being watched.
A figure smiled in the darkness, a long purple tongue coming out from the mouth to lick his lips, saliva dripping.
Soon, you will be mine...
Shiroi Hikari: Heh, I guess that was an okay chapter. I bet you can guess who the evil dude is. And now, for the winner of the pairing votes...
NEJI!
Yay! The truth is, if Itachi-kun had won, I would've never figured out a way to put him in this story and then have him end up with Sakura...but he will be in the story, and maybe have an interest in Sakura and Akatsu, but she won't end up with him. So, this will be a Sakura x Neji story from now on. Thanks for all who voted, and I'm sorry to everyone who doesn't like this pairing, and wanted someone else.
Ja ne and please review!
Shiroi Hikari