Summary: She had given up on the idea of being anything more than a friend to him, concentrating more on her training than him. During the course of her training, he had begun to realize that what he felt about her was past peripheral vision. Sasuke/Sakura.
Pairings: Sasuke/Sakura
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, at all. All the characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi-sensei. The only thing in this story that is mine will be the OCs and the plot itself.
Past Peripheral Vision
Chapter Seven – A Solo Mission
A weak smile found its way to her face as she brushed her rose tresses free of tangles that might have formed when she dried her hair after her shower. It had been exactly two months ago when she had first started training with a blindfold on. It had been two months and a day since she had received the final blow her fragile heart could take. With a sigh, she set down her brush and let the fingers of her left hand brush against the cold metal of her hitai-ate. It had been so long since she had the liberty of seeing all that she wanted to see. She didn't have to wear her blindfold when she was sick but she didn't want to remove it because of that. If she would remove it already, it was because she had completed her year-long training and the Jounin Exams were coming. She was excited for it already as she wanted to prove to Sasuke that she was just as strong as he was.
Since the incident in the hospital, he had been avoiding her as much as he possibly could. Her cheeks turned pink whenever she remembered what had happened then. It was different when she had given him her first kiss impulsively. Then, it was more likely to happen, coming from her. Coming from him, she would have died on the spot and went to seventh heaven. She really almost did to begin with. Her heart and her mind stopped functioning the minute his lips pressed against hers, seizing them as if they were his territory. Moments after he pulled away with a frustrated look on his face, as if accusing her for making him do that, air went back into her system and her mind was reeling with thoughts and emotions she could not comprehend. With one final check of her equipment, Sakura gave a satisfied smile and made her way to the stairs, just when her mother called out to her.
"Sakura, breakfast!" shouted her mother, her much paler tresses of pink held back by a simple headband. Sakura shouted in response, saying she was already on her way downstairs. On the kitchen table, a couple of pieces of toast, some butter, some jam, a knife and a tall glass of cool orange juice was waiting the sole ninja in the household. Mugs of steaming coffee awaited the two adults, the same breakfast set before them. Sakura's mother gave a warm smile when she saw her daughter, ignoring the fact that the hitai-ate was still wrapped around her eyes, the symbol of Konoha visible for all to see. Though it pained them to let their only child become a ninja, they were proud that she was one of the most renowned ones, even at such a young age. "Sakura, can you tell me about your meeting with Tsunade-sama? If it isn't confidential," asked her mother as she looked at the seated kunoichi.
"Mission briefing," explained Sakura as she picked up a piece of toast and deftly dipped her knife into strawberry jam and began spreading the fruit preserves on the piece of bread. Her mother nodded in understanding, a pained smile finding its way to her face. Most ninjas had ninjas for parents as well, proud every time their child would get an important one. Of course they were proud of Sakura whenever she had achieved something; they never knew the feelings of a real ninja. They were simply civilians. They feared for her everyday she was on a mission, hoping and praying she would make it back home alive, safe and well. "The Chuunin who are free are asked to gather at Hokage Tower today," continued Sakura, somewhat sensing her mother's apprehensions. Her mother relaxed slightly. "So, it must be important for quite a number to gather. Or, Tsunade-shishou has a lot of missions to give today."
"Come home safely, Sakura," said her mother, grasping Sakura's free left hand and squeezing it slightly. The Chuunin looked at her mother and offered her a reassuring smile. Since when hadn't she been careful of herself? Since when hadn't she thought of the sanity of her parents at the back of her mind? She'd never say this to her parents, just to keep them at bay on what her life as a kunoichi was but she hadn't really been careful when she was a Genin. To a certain extent she was, but she'd do anything for Sasuke. She thought of even betraying the village, if it meant a life with him. She thought of staining her hands with blood at such an early age when she had been younger. "Please come home safely. I don't know what your father and I would do if we found out that you had died during a mission," she whispered softly as she let go of her daughter's hand.
"Okay," replied Sakura with a slight nod. It was all she could say for her mother, it was all she could do. Standing up, she walked over to her mother and gave her a hug. The older female returned the embrace, holding onto her daughter for as long as she could. Whenever Sakura had any mission briefings, there was a high chance that she would be going on a mission. Her mother had understood the very basics of the way the mission ranking system work. D-Rank was given to a Genin Team under the supervision of a Jounin. C-Rank missions were occasionally given to them but were usually given to Chuunin. B-Rank missions were given mostly to Chuunin and the occasional Jounin, as the rate of meeting a ninja was higher. A-Rank missions were given to Jounin as meeting a ninja was inevitable. Her mother didn't even want to think of S-Rank missions. "I'll be back later," whispered Sakura as she pulled away and began walking to the kitchen door. Her mother gave a weak smile and nod, prompting the Chuunin to go.
Hokage Tower
Sakura shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she mainly kept to herself. She knew the names of most of the Chuunin in the room, few fairly new ones within. She could feel them all glancing at her occasionally, slightly shocked at how she was wearing her hitai-ate. Shizune was currently there, taking the place of the Hokage while she was getting the various scrolls where the mission details were written down. Sakura had overhead from Shizune that they were mostly B-Rank missions that were going to be assigned today. Sakura felt her fingers twitch involuntarily. It had been a while since she had performed a mission, B-Rank missions or otherwise. Soon enough, the door opened and Tsunade appeared with a number of scrolls in her hand. All the Konoha Chuunin in the room stood up, as a sign of respect. Glancing at the ninjas, Tsunade motioned for them to sit down as she herself sat down on her seat.
"Missions that Chuunin undertake are going to be given today, mostly B-Rank and Chuunin-led Team Missions," explained Tsunade as she picked up a scroll and unfurled it, rolling it flat on her table. Looking up, she silently questioned to see if they understood. They all did. "For example, this B-Rank mission takes place in Okibi Village, about a day's travel from here. A small terrorist group is trying to take over the village and I hear they have a C-Rank Missing Nin on their side, the Missing Nin being from Konoha. Fubuku Mao, I task you to take charge of this team and bring Ogawa Dan, Tokuda Naruki and Yamada Tsuzuki with you. The Hunter Nin Kurakawa Mitsuki will also be in your group but will not be directly under you. You will leave two hours after this meeting is over."
The four Chuunin named nodded after hearing their mission. Picking out another scroll, Tsunade continued reading the various B-Rank and the occasional C-Rank missions that were in the scrolls. Sakura could feel slight jealousy rising in her blood as she had yet to be assigned a mission herself. She was aching to see how her newer, sharper skills would fare in battle and was hoping the Godaime would assign a mission for her soon enough. She would have to be patient on this, she knew that, but she just couldn't help but be impatient, much like Naruto back in their Genin days when he kept refusing the D-Rank missions. Tsunade could see the impatience written on her student's face that she had finally decided to give out her mission. Picking out another scroll, she looked directly at Sakura for a few moments.
"This is a solo B-Rank mission," stated the Godaime as she unfurled a scroll and looked at scroll that lay on top of her table. The Jounin were far too busy doing other more important missions to deal with their occasional B-Rank ones, leaving the Chuunin to do the mission. "I'd normally assign this as a Chuunin Team mission but considering the risks involved, it has become a solo mission," explained Tsunade as she faced each and every one of the Chuunin that were there. "In Kaen Village, about half a day's travel from here, there is a minor mafia who's holding the village leader's daughter hostage. The mission is for you to rescue the daughter and bring her back safely to her father," continued Tsunade as she rolled up the scroll and held it in her hand as if handing it to someone. The Chuunin talked amongst them as to who would be assigned this mission. "Haruno Sakura, you are in charge of this mission. You depart for Kaen Village in one hour," ordered Tsunade as she stretched out her hand towards the pink haired Chuunin's direction.
"H-hai, Tsunade-shishou!" stuttered Sakura as she stood up and walked over to the Godaime. Taking the scroll from Tsunade's hands, she bowed slightly before making her way out of the room. She could feel that Tsunade's lips curved slightly, forming a smile before picking out another scroll and reading the next mission. The minute she stepped outside, she nearly felt her heart break out of her ribcage. "Kakashi-sensei!" she said in surprise after making sure to close the door. With a grin and a wave of his hand, Kakashi greeted her. "How are you?" she asked good-naturedly as she stepped aside, if in case someone else would go out. The Jounin nodded and said he was fine, actually going to the Hokage for another mission. "I just got mine and I think it'll take around three or four days to complete, including the traveling," said Sakura as she waved the scroll. The Jounin nodded once more. "Well, see you around, Kakashi-sensei! I have to go prepare some stuff then leave the village afterwards. Tell Naruto and Sasuke-kun for me, will you?" With that, she waved her hand and began walking away.
"A mission eh? Hope it's something that'll challenge her but still keep her safe," said Kakashi to himself as he watched her figure grow smaller and smaller until he could see her no more. Scratching the back of his head, he raked his fingers through his silver locks. Heaving a sigh, he opened the door and walked inside the room. All eyes quickly looked back, the noise he made attracting their attention. "Ah, don't mind me," he said as he laughed nervously, motioning for them to focus their attention on the Godaime once more. Making his way towards Shizune's side, he felt his shoulders sag as he waited for the Godaime to finish. "She's almost done, right?" he whispered as he asked the other Jounin in the room. Shizune nodded with a slight smile on her face. "Good, I really don't like waiting," he explained as he watched the Godaime. Ironic that it came from a man who made a lot of people wait.
Nearly Twelve Hours since Sakura Left
It was already night when she was near the vicinity of Kaen Village, the occasional plumes of smoke rising from the houses nearby. Even at such a distance, she could feel the tension arising at the current hostage situation that the village was under. On her way here, while resting, she had read the scroll the Godaime had given her. The name of the hostage was Konosaki Mika, a seven year old girl. Her father was Konosaki Touya, in his mid thirties already. The group that was currently holding Mika hostage was called Akuma but to the Chuunin, they were no demons. They were located in a cave around an hour away from Kaen Village itself. Before she could head there, she would have to rest from her traveling from Konoha to Kaen and get as much information as she could so as to devise a plan in successfully finding the hostage and bringing her home safely to her father. When she had arrived at the village gate, all eyes were on her.
Entering the village felt strange to her, as she hadn't been out of her own for around two months. The Crescent Blade on her back proved intimidating to all that they avoided her, fearful for their safety and their lives. She didn't think that they would notice the Konoha symbol on her hitai-ate, as it was dark and the lightning came from torches that stood tall around the village, a good bit away from anything flammable. With a sigh, she began to ask people around if they knew where Konosaki Touya could be found. They stammered their replies and went away quickly, afraid of what could happen if they stayed near her any longer. A growl of frustration escaped her lips as she continued her futile attempt at trying to find him. Suddenly, a voice stopped her in her tracks.
"I'm Konosaki Touya," spoke the man as he held a sword in his hands. Sakura didn't flinch as she turned around, the blade barely an inch away from her throat. Any movement would result in him stabbing it through her throat, inevitably a mission failure. If she died, who knew what the village of Konoha would do to Kaen, as they were effectively responsible in the death of one of their best Medical Specialists. She couldn't bear to think about it and she wouldn't die easily to begin with. She wasn't a Chuunin in training for nothing. "What do you want from me?" he muttered as his eyes narrowed. She could somehow sense that his eyes were milky white, different from the Hyuugas. He was blind, most likely since birth. A smile found its way to her face when she found out he was the leader of the village.
"Touya-san, there's no need for you to hold an unfamiliar weapon," began Sakura as she deftly picked out the sword he was holding and stabbed it into the earth. Touya flinched at her small display of sheer power and skill. "Besides, I'm not here to harm you. Don't you recognize the symbol on this metal plate?" she asked as she let the fingers on her right hand brush against the grooves found on her hitai-ate. Taking his hand, she made him feel the cold metal and the engravings on her hitai-ate. A look of realization found its way to the male's face, his shoulders relaxing visibly when he found out she was not there to harm him. "Haruno Sakura at your service," she said simply as she dropped her hold on his hand, "And here from Konohagakure no Sato as an answer to your request for a ninja to retrieve your daughter from Akuma."
"I'm sorry about seeming so violent, Sakura-san," said Touya apologetically, scratching the back of his head. Sakura waved it off and followed the village leader into his home. The other villagers had relaxed when they found out her identity. "It's been a few days already since they took Mika-chan and we're really all just worried for her safety, as well as ours," explained Touya as he looked back at Sakura, his unseeing eyes reflecting true fatherly concern for his daughter. The Chuunin nodded slowly, knowing how it felt like to always be alert. But, back then; it was a different predicament, much worse than what Kaen Village was currently in. The Sound and the Sand were allied and were waging a war against the Leaf. It was horrible during the aftermath. Many lives were lost, including the Sandaime's, and it was so hard to even keep a cheerful face. "Please, make yourself at home," spoke Touya as he kicked off his slippers. The Chuunin nodded once more.
"I'll need you to tell me everything prior to the situation and everything currently happening, Touya-san," spoke Sakura bluntly as she stepped on the wooden floor, bare foot. Touya froze as he heard her say that. "Please, Touya-san," spoke Sakura as she tried to convince the village leader, "I need to know every detail possible so as to devise a plan with a success rate of one hundred percent. Mika-chan is just seven, far too young an age to die this quickly. I've known plans with ninety-nine percent success rates but they still fail." Touya's shoulders relaxed slightly, when he heard her say that. He didn't want to relive the memories but if it would help in bringing Mika back, he'd do everything. Hearing footsteps behind her, Sakura turned around to face another female. "Good evening," spoke Sakura politely as she bowed, "I assume you are Chiharu-san?" The woman nodded; her skin paling. "I am Haruno Sakura, here to help you regain your daughter, Mika-chan."
"H-how do you do, Sakura-san?" she replied, breathing a sigh of relief. Sakura nodded with a smile. "I heard everything, that you need to find out about how this came to be," spoke Chiharu softly, running a nervous hand through her hair, "L-let me prepare some tea before we talk about this. Anata, please bring Sakura-san to the tea room." With a bow, Chiharu excused herself to go to the kitchen to prepare some tea. Touya explained that Chiharu was always the shy one, a wonder that she confessed to him at all. In the tea room, Sakura was seated across Touya, his lips pressed into a thin line of frustration. "H-here you are, Sakura-san," said Chiharu as she set down a tray with tea and three cups. "W-what would you like to know?" she forced herself to say.
"Everything," said Sakura simply as she took a sip of tea, "I'm all ears." Touya had begun to say that since Kaen had a lot of hot springs and had very fertile lands, despite the usually searing hot weather of the country, there were various ways one family could earn an income. Most were farmers and their crops usually grew in abundance. Others, if they had a rich enough capital, started an onsen inn. Chiharu said that because of this, Akuma had decided to kidnap Mika for ransom money and possibly even control of the village. "Mika-chan has it tough," said Sakura absentmindedly, her mind already forming a plan. With a smile, she spoke again. "Don't worry, Touya-san, Chiharu-san, by tomorrow, I will be ready to assault the Akuma headquarters and bring Mika-chan back safe and sound," she said with a grin, "I mark this on my honor as a Konoha kunoichi."
"Arigatou, Sakura-san," said Chiharu weakly, tears brimming in her eyes, "I'll bring you to your room so you can rest. As much as we want to, it's much too late for you to head out now and it'll be much too inconsiderate of us to ask that of you." Sakura shrugged and let out another smile. Walking through the wooden corridor, Chiharu led the Konoha Chuunin to her room. Sliding open the shoji door, Chiharu let out another weak smile. "Sakura-san, this is your room. We manage an onsen so the style of the house is pretty old. I hope you don't mind," she said as she faced the blindfolded Chuunin. Sakura shrugged it off and thanked the woman. As soon as Chiharu had left, Sakura felt her heart tear and a solitary tear trail her face. The Uchiha manor was styled very similarly. She couldn't help but remember him.
Tsuzuku…
Finished with chapter seven!
I hope the B-Rank mission of Sakura is believable. And don't ask me why I wanted Touya to be blind. I guess, just to have a subtle reminder to Sakura as to why she was wearing her hitai-ate like that in the first place, to see beyond what eyes can see.
School is starting on June 8 so my updates for Past Peripheral Vision, or any updates in general, will now be moved to the weekend (Friday - Sunday at GMT + 8 time). I've basically got PPV planned out, having a grand total of 27 chapters. I might add a 28th chapter but at least be sure that it'll take that many to finish this story. Then, I'll continue with Past Peripheral Vision: Act Two.
To find out what'll happen in the mission, wait for chapter eight!
Another side-note. Three more reviews until Past Peripheral Vision hits the big three digits! Thank you to all who have reviewed until now.
Next Chapter: Chapter Eight – Mission Completed
Chapter Preview: "Well, little missy, do you think you can handle all of us all by your lonesome self?" he spoke. Sakura's nose scrunched up at the smell of alcohol. His yellowing, crooked teeth formed into a cheesy smile. "You know, your life can be spared if you just give up and play with me," he suggested, perverted thoughts entering his mind. Sakura snarled as she slapped his hand away, the same hand that was nearing her rear. "Why you little…!" he hissed as he forced her to look at him, not that she could see him to begin with. She didn't want unnecessary blood to be shed. She could have easily slain everyone in the room within minutes but she was no murderer. She preferred not to kill but if she had to. Soon enough, her kunai cut through the rope binding her hands together. In a flash, she quickly formed hand seals and let her hand brush against his forearm. Screaming in pain, the leader of the small mafia pointed an accusing finger at her as he felt searing heat on his skin, like acid. "Seize that bitch!"