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 Twenty – Return of the Daimyo
"Kouji-sama! Kouji-sama!" cried out one of the daimyo's advisers as he rushed forward, clutching a number of precious scrolls to his chest. At his name, the daimyo lifted up his head, his expression, weary and tired.
"Yes, Katsura…?"
Everyone in the court could hear how tired their daimyo felt. They couldn't blame him. Anyone would have been exhausted if they were in his place for the past few weeks.
Lately, the political and military standings of Enkou were fragile at best, the wars between other neighboring lands and Enkou taking its toll. Enkou was, after all, one of the few territories that were fertile and had received ample rainfall. The number of samurai and mercenaries under his command was diminishing with each passing day.
"I beseech to you, Kouji-sama, to prepare more, to plan more! The daimyo in the territory north of Enkou as well as the daimyo of the territory east of Enkou are planning to ally themselves with each other, dividing the spoils of the war, Enkou, between them when it's all over!" announced Katsura, panic, fear, and worry evident in his voice.
Collective gasps resounded through the court as the nobles and generals began whispering amongst themselves. Kouji's head dropped lower, his fingers massaging his throbbing temples gingerly. It had been almost three months since the war had started, about five since he had just become daimyo.
"Katsura," spoke Kouji, the teal of his eyes getting duller and duller with fatigue as each minute passed by. The elderly adviser looked up, his lower lip quivering in anticipation. "Tell Umi to get ready. We will leave for Konohagakure no Sato tomorrow morning," announced Kouji, lifting his hands to dismiss everyone else.
"K-Kouji-sama! G-going to K-konoha d-during a t-time s-such as t-this?" stammered Katsura, his eyes wide in surprise. The young daimyo nodded, the weariness evident once more. "W-why?"
"To ask the help of the honorable Godaime," replied Kouji, his fingers running against the hilt of his sword. Katsura stared at him in awe.
Those of Hidden Villages usually never meddled in the affairs of the rest of the territories within their country. They were autonomous after all. Konohagakure no Sato was no exception.
"I will ask her for help," continued Kouji, his teal eyes brightening momentarily, only to dull instantaneously, "Information, military power, arms, whatever. Any help from anyone will be a relief for Enkou."
Lifting his head, Kouji focused his vision towards his room, a dark look passing over his face. He had a flare to shoot that night.
Two pairs of teal colored eyes watched their surroundings as the carriage moved forward. One was male, his hazel colored hair tied back into a simple ponytail. The other was female, her dark black locks hanging freely.
"Ne, ne, Onii-sama, how were they like?" asked the female, breaking the silence as she looked at her older brother, "You were at the village once before and you have so many stories about it! Tell me!" A laugh escaped the older male's lips at the enthusiasm of his younger sister. "Kouji-nii-sama!" she pouted, crossing her arms, as she narrowed her eyes, "Tell me about the ninjas of Konohagakure no Sato!" With that, Kouji opened his mouth wider and began to laugh even louder. "Onii-sama!" she wailed, clawing at him pathetically.
"They're very hospitable people, Umi," began Kouji as he talked about them, fond recollections of the day he had spent there rushing back, "There are many talented shinobi there and they're very strict about their training." Kouji paused as he had remembered what Sakura had told him about her teammates. "Well, at least most of them are," he added quickly.
"Katsura-san says you know the Godaime Hokage personally, is this true?" asked Umi, her own teal eyes twinkling as she leaned forward, wanting to know still more about them, "And do you know anyone my age?"
"Yes, I do know the Godaime Hokage personally. She's very kind," said Kouji. With a dramatic pause, Kouji took a deep breath and prolonged the announcement if he knew anyone as old as her. Sensing this, Umi opened her mouth to speak.
"Onii-sama, tell me if you know anyone!" she cried out, whacking him playfully. Another deep laugh escaped Kouji's lips. It had been a while since he had been able to laugh and smile like that.
"Yes, I do. Haruno Sakura-san and Uchiha Sasuke-san at the very least," he replied, patting his sister's head softly, "They may introduce you to more people but I know only them on a more personal level anyway."
Looking out at the scenery, Kouji had begun to look back on what the Godaime had told him four months prior, before he had left Konoha to go back to his home in Enkou.
"Kouji, you are the daimyo to one of the most fertile lands in Konoha," spoke Tsunade, her voice grave. Slowly, Kouji nodded his head, wondering where this conversation was going. "I've been hearing rumors that the daimyo of the neighboring territories want to seize Enkou from your grasps," she said bluntly.
"…Oh," said Kouji quietly, averting his gaze from the Godaime, "Yes, I've heard of that as well from my father. My brothers know of it too. It is only Umi, my sister, who doesn't."
"Come back to Konoha when you need our help, we will be glad to. I know of the cruelty and greed of the daimyo who rule territories near yours. The least I can do, as Konoha cannot step in to help any particular territory, is to give you help from back stage," explained Tsunade, drumming her fingers against the table.
"Tsu-Tsunade-sama…" whispered Kouji, his teal eyes lightening up slightly, "I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My people and I are indebted to you and your village."
"Use this flare one night before you leave Enkou for Konoha. I will have prepared everything we know about the neighboring lands and everything we can do to help you," instructed Tsunade, handing a small flare to the young daimyo.
"Thank you very much," replied Kouji, bowing slightly in respect to the Godaime.
"On that day, take a rest. I have a feeling when it arrives, you will be exhausted and fatigued."
In Konoha
Leaning against the pillar, a bored, impassive look was plastered on the face of the male. In his hand was a small rock, being thrown up and down to at least take his mind off things. Beside him was a female, a little eager for the one they were waiting for. Turning around, she smiled and spoke to her companion.
"Ne, ne, Sasuke-kun, aren't you excited to meet Kouji-sama again?" asked Sakura, a cheerful smile on her face. Very few people knew that the daimyo of Enkou was coming. Very few people needed to know for that matter.
"…No, not really, Sakura," he mumbled as he closed his eyes, the repetitive motion of throwing the rock up in the air and catching it becoming mechanical to him. It had just been four months since he had last seen one of the youngest daimyo of the Country of Fire and he doubted much had changed since then.
Sakura shrugged off his response and peered across the gate, hoping to spy some sign of the carriage that the daimyo would be riding in. The Godaime had instructed them to look for a carriage with the symbol of Enkou emblazoned on the sides. Soon enough, the two shinobi could hear the neighing of horses.
"Is that-?" asked Sakura, looking over her shoulder as she faced the Uchiha slightly behind her. He shrugged as he threw down the stone on the dirt path, looking a little more presentable at least. "Probably, I see the emblem of Fujisaki Clan on the clothes of the carriage driver," she said as she straightened her posture.
Inside the carriage, the dark haired female was shifting in her seat excitedly at the sight of Konohagakure. Another smile graced Kouji's face, rare on his face nowadays. Deep in her heart, Umi was worried about her brother's health but the only thing she could do for him now was to remain happy.
"Onii-sama, is that Haruno-san and Uchiha-san?" asked Umi, her teal eyes glistening as she waited for the carriage to come to a complete stop. The daimyo nodded, a weary look appearing on his face once more. "And you will meet with Godaime-sama for the whole day? What will become of me?" asked Umi, looking at her favorite older brother.
"I'm sure Sakura-san and Sasuke-san will cater to your needs while I'm meeting with Tsunade-sama. Don't belittle them because they're not nobles such as us. They're much more influential than you think," instructed Kouji, patting his sister's head.
Umi, though nice, sometimes had the tendency to look down on people who were not born in high-ranking families. She was far too young to remember what happened to the Uchiha Clan, though being the same age as the Chuunin who would escort them. The Haruno family was no Clan but Sakura was an extremely talented Chuunin nonetheless.
"Yes, yes, onii-sama," said Umi, nodding.
Soon, the carriage had stopped and the carriage door swung open, courtesy of the pink haired Chuunin who was outside. On Sakura's face was a cheerful grin and Sasuke's face was as expressionless as ever.
"Kouji-sama, the ANBU a little way away will escort you personally to the office of Tsunade-shishou. She awaits your arrival," greeted Sakura formally, bowing slightly.
"Kouji-sama," said Sasuke, acknowledging his presence, though his bow was stiff.
"A good day to you too, Sakura-san, Sasuke-san," replied Kouji, stepping down from the carriage without any help, "I trust you with my sister, Umi. She's the same age as you but she doesn't know much of the ways of the shinobi, as compared to my brothers and me as we were all candidates for becoming daimyo." At the mention of her name, the dark haired female stepped down, her long midnight-colored tresses flowing against her pale blue kimono.
"Good morning, Sakura-san," said Umi, a smile on her face.
"Good morning, Umi-sama," replied Sakura as she extended a hand. Umi took it, though obviously somewhat uncomfortable. Her brother had already left, walking inside the village being formally escorted by the ANBU.
"Good morning Sasuke-sa—" Umi's greeting was cut off as she looked at the male Chuunin. Sakura coughed slightly, knowing what had just happened. Umi was no exception to the Uchiha's innate charm. He could just simply be standing and all the females within a twenty-meter radius of him would be smitten by him.
"Good morning to you too," he said gruffly, obviously not meaning it. Turning around on his heel, Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets and began walking back to the village. Sakura followed en suite.
Umi just continued to stare at Sasuke's back, unable to move.
"Are you coming or what?" snapped Sasuke as he looked back, "And I'm not going there to carry you inside the village. It's either you walk or we leave you." Snapping out of her reverie, Umi began to walk after them.
"You needn't be so harsh, Sasuke-kun," whispered Sakura so only the male in their group could hear. All she got was the standard Sasuke 'Hmph!'
In the Godaime's Office
"…They what?" shouted Tsunade, slamming her fist onto her wooden desk. The table creaked under the force of the slam, powerful even without chakra. Kouji flinched.
"They're planning to merge powers and when they take hold of Enkou, they'll divide it into equal parts and draw lots for the different divisions of Enkou," mumbled Kouji tiredly, looking much older than his age. A resounding crack reverberated throughout the otherwise silent room.
The pencil Tsunade was holding had broken in her hand, the splinters from the writing instrument sticking out dangerously.
"Why didn't I know of this?" hissed Tsunade, her eyes narrowing. She was the second to the least impartial of the Hokage when it came to the affairs of the Country of Fire. She was helping Kouji after all as a testament to that fact.
The Yondaime was the least impartial of the Five Hokage of Konoha. He had sacrificed his life to seal the Kyuubi into Naruto. Then again, even Konoha was at stake but nonetheless, he had done it for the lives of the citizens of the Country of Fire, ninja or not.
"Apparently, they had made sure that all ninjas were banned from their lands, regardless if they come from Konoha or not, and they had discussed this. It was lucky that one of my spies had made it back alive to tell my chief adviser about this," said Kouji wearily, rubbing his temples.
"Shizune, call for those in the ANBU Intelligence with information about Enkou and the territories that surround it. Tell them that the daimyo of Enkou is finally here to get the information we had promised him four months ago," said Tsunade gravely, her expression darkening.
"Y-yes, Tsu-tsunade-sama!" stuttered Shizune as she rushed out of the room.
In the Streets of Konoha
Sasuke twitched in annoyance as Umi clung to his arm. If Naruto was also part of the mission, he would either be laughing his ass off or burning with jealousy, probably even both. Sakura was just giggling as she walked ahead.
"Ne, Sasuke-san, why did you decide to become a shinobi?" asked Umi, loosening her hold on his already probably dead arm. Sasuke sighed in silent relief, refusing to answer. "Sasuke-san!" persisted Umi, obviously not going to let the topic drop just like that.
"Because of my family," he answered through gritted teeth. Umi squealed in delight at the answer, getting one finally. "Now let go of my arm," he hissed, the circulation running through his numb arm after what seemed like hours.
The passersby laughed to themselves at the sight of the Uchiha being clung to by a girl other than Sakura and Ino. Although the two kunoichi of Konoha haven't done that since their Genin days, it was still just a sight to see if anyone other than them managed to get close to the stoic Uchiha.
"Can I meet your family?" asked Umi innocently, her teal eyes twinkling. Sasuke twitched at the request and Sakura just froze. No one ever asked Sasuke about his family, even those born after the massacre had occurred.
"Err… Umi-sama," spoke Sakura quietly, trying to diver the attention of the daimyo's sister. The Chuunin could vaguely see sparks of irritation and anger from the Uchiha.
"What?" snapped Umi, her teal eyes burning darkly as she looked at Sakura. The Chuunin flinched slightly as she felt the full blast of Umi's fiery gaze.
"I don't think Sasuke-kun would want to talk about that…" Sakura replied, her voice firm, though still soft. Umi snorted in disgust.
"Why are you calling him Sasuke-kun? How much do you know him? Even I, the sister of a daimyo, am not calling him Sasuke-kun," spoke Umi tartly, "And why wouldn't someone want to talk about his or her family? They are a source of pride, after all!"
"Maybe because they've been killed already?" offered Sasuke, his voice dripping with poison. The Uchiha was trying to resist to succumb to the urge to summon at least Manden and make the girl faint at the sight of a large snake. "And why does she call me Sasuke-kun? Maybe, because, she was also a part of Team 7," he added, still irritated at Umi.
The daimyo's younger sister could only stare back at the Uchiha, unsure of what to do next.
Late Afternoon: Hokage Tower
After Sasuke had blown up at Umi, the daimyo's younger sister had become more reserved and less haughty. She had settled to becoming nicer to Sakura, more appreciative of the surroundings, and bothered Sasuke less.
Both Chuunin had preferred this suddenly changed Umi but had wondered how quick to change she was in terms of attitude. Although Ino and Sakura had been like that when they were twelve, it had taken them much longer to adjust in terms of anything to do with Sasuke.
In the mean time, they were waiting outside of the Hokage's office as they were instructed. They had been waiting for the past half hour and it was already six-thirty. Sasuke and Umi were waiting outside as Sakura went in to check on the meeting. It was less likely that the Godaime would vent her anger and/or irritation on the female Chuunin.
"Umi-sama, your brother will be out shortly," said Sakura quietly, stepping out the office. Umi smiled and nodded gratefully as Sakura closed the door with a soft click. "Kouji-sama told me to tell you that you will be returning to Enkou tonight," added Sakura as she leaned back against the wall.
"What? And I was starting to get used to this village too," said Umi, the tone of her voice forlorn, "Oh well, I guess it can't be helped."
The next few minutes were spent in silence, Umi sitting down and drumming her fingers against the arm rest. Sakura shifted her weight on her feet every once in a while as the seconds ticked by. Sasuke remained stationary. Soon enough, the door opened, revealing Tsunade and Kouji, both with relieved expressions on their faces.
"Best of luck to Enkou, Kouji, and let us pray that you will win your war," said Tsunade, extending a hand out to the young daimyo.
"I hope so too, Tsunade-sama, I hope so too," the daimyo said with a slight laugh. Looking over his shoulder, Kouji found the two Chuunin standing and his sister on the seat. "Well, I hope Umi wasn't too much of a burden for you, Sakura-san, Sasuke-san. I apologize for taking a day from you when you could be doing other things," said Kouji, turning around to face the two Chuunin.
"It wasn't a problem at all," reassured Sakura, a slight smile on her face, "In fact, it was our pleasure, right, Sasuke-kun?" A snort came from Sasuke at that, causing the female Chuunin to elbow him discreetly.
"Yeah, it wasn't any problem," mumbled Sasuke, rubbing the spot where Sakura's elbow had connected in his body.
"Well, if there isn't anything left to be said, Sakura, Sasuke, escort Kouji and his sister to their carriage and your duties are finished for tonight," instructed the Godaime.
"Yes, Godaime-sama."
Tsuzuku…
And so chapter twenty comes into existence.
I've been pretty busy lately (school, homework, research work, and JAPANESE LESSONS among others) so I really couldn't find any time to update until today.
I won't be able to update until December 15 because I have my tests again and I really want to concentrate.
I hope that you don't mind my slowness for now.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
I have decided that PPV will now become a trilogy, called the Vision Trilogy.
Technically, they can all fall in one fanfic but that would make it too long. Besides, it comes in parts. PPV (Past Peripheral Vision) deals with the training and the preparations and such before the Jounin Exams, AotD (Appraisal of the Diamond) deals with the Jounin Exams proper and UP (Unmasked Perception) deals with their lives afterwards. They're all connected but I really don't need to finish PPV to start writing AotD and AotD to write UP. However, since you should have a background on what happens in the entire flow of the story, I've separated it into more understandable segments.
Either starting in chapter twenty of PPV or the first chapter of AotD, I will have a new writing style, in terms of paragraphs anyway. I'll make them less chunky since even I'm having a hard time filling it up. However, before I update anything, I will still stick to having at least 3000 words in my chapters.
I'm thinking of asking someone to become my beta-reader for this trilogy project but have no one in mind. If you want to become my beta reader, starting for chapter twenty-two of PPV, or if you think I don't need one, please email me at giving me the reason why or why not.
If you're trying to become my beta reader, edit this chapter (chapter 20) to the best of your abilities. Edit the entire thing, hopefully, within two days since I do initial proofreading. It shouldn't take you that long.
Email me the following content with the subject of your email as Beta-Reader Application. The email will not be read without any subject. When you correct, use Times New Roman, italicized to make notes and insertion.
Name:
Day Started:
Day Ended:
Why You Think You Should be Beta-Reader:
I don't bite. :D Good luck to all who'll try out! Also, if no one's abilities meet my standards, I will continue on writing even without a beta-reader.
For now, I hope you'll be satisfied with a chapter preview of the next one, chapter twenty-one.
Next Chapter: Chapter Twenty-one – Academy Life
Chapter Preview: "Sakura, Hinata has called in sick so I'd like to assign you to teach her class for the remainder of the week. It's only two days and it will do you some good in the future. As a Jounin, you have the chance of teaching a trio of Genin just as Kakashi had done for you, Naruto, and Sasuke," explained Tsunade, drumming her fingers against the mahogany of her desk.