-1An: To answer a question in the review. In the Yakuza from what I study it is the chain of command. I stated before that he had a caretaker, while Sasuke was still young Kakashi would have full run of it along with the other male stated in the past chapter. You become an adult really and can run things in Japan as soon as you graduate from Jr. High. As I hinted Sakura would have been married as soon as she graduated 9th grade if it wasn't for certain events that took place.
The gang IE: Shika and Chouji are just the local school gang but know of Sasuke's connections. Naruto is the only person who has somewhat of a voice in the Kai's business. Kakashi and Jiraiya are the ones who pull the strings or places orders for Sasuke. The rest of the loopholes will be explained later.
Just some shameless pimping, this is over in six chapters, I started my next long story. Lucky 7, it is an IC(Hopefully Sasuke might be a little less of a bitchy angst filled teen in it) AU. I see it running maybe 30+ Chapters. Check it out if you have the time!
To my wonderful Beta reader Outsane; she is the bomb! So go check out her stories.
Don't own Naruto
oooOOoo
Chapter Eight
Pushing Along, Fighting the Pull
oooOOooo
It was hard keeping up with a lie for so long. Soon everything would fall apart and the truth would come gushing out like blood from a knife wound. This was Sakura's greatest fear when she started this crazy plan. The truth could be harmful for both her and her cause.
Connections had been found way too early, the key players appeared too soon, and now everything seemed rushed. Saturday was the festival and who knew what could happen then. Itachi had already appeared and made his objective known.
Sakura sat on her couch and the key players in her plan sat in her living room. Ino and Gaara both looked a bit annoyed but waited. It was true the three of them known each for a long time. While Ino wasn't the richest girl in the school she was the most popular. The two had some rivalry issues, but in the end it built a strong friendship. During those blissful days Gaara was just her shadow and refused to interact with the other students.
The years of childhood passed quickly until winter two years ago. What she found out broke her world into pieces. The truth behind Gaara's ruthless behavior and lack of sleep, the mysterious natural events, and other oddities Sakura paid no mind to. Not to mention the one big glaring fact, her family was no family at all. Sometime you can find such bliss in ignorance.
From that point events were well planned, words were spoken with double meanings, and everything went by a plan- the plan. After her days in middle were over and Ino's family moved to Tokyo, and Gaara transferred there, Sakura would magically appear ready and willing to go to school. With her reasoning of trying to get away, people who knew or understood wouldn't question her true hidden motive.
That plan was now broken apart. It all started with meeting Sasuke so soon; why was she placed in the same homeroom as him? Ino was supposed to introduce her to the young killer and start the ball rolling from there. Next was the fated meeting of Gaara and herself. That too happened far too early and yet she couldn't have left him in the ally. Damn him and the need to feel pain, why couldn't he be normal and not crave that sort of thing?
Eyes were always watching.
If they found something off or something that didn't look right, then there goes the plan. Sadly they must have found something, or why else would Itachi appear? The man on the news was also her mother's spy in Tokyo. Clearly it was a statement to be heeded.
There was also no more time to play pretend. Events were in motion that could only be stopped in death.
Sakura stood for a moment, eyes staring out into the endless blue sky. "Ino, the man that was found murdered last night…"
"I know. It was that creepy homeless guy around the flower shop." Ino leaned back into the couch eyes narrowed for a moment.
The heiress smiled to herself; her friend sacrificed much for this plan. When this was all over Sakura would make it up to her. "Itachi made his move. We have to make ours. Ino, what do you know about Sasuke so far?"
The blond paused and checked her nails. "That he trusts you as much as he trusts his ex-brother. Yet, he is willing to work with you to kill him first. I told you he has stopped calling on me to sleep with, thus lowering my chance to get information out of him."
Gaara took his turn to speak, "Hn. What about Naruto?"
"I only told him I found out that he was on my father's…really Itachi's hit list. I just couldn't tell him that Itachi is here in Tokyo." Sakura turned to face the two. Was she really better then her family, or was it some sort of lie to trick her soul?
"Right now we have to find my teacher to go on with our plans. Hopefully all this will end without too much blood shed." Sakura turned back to the window to see the setting sun.
"You are going to do that this Sunday right?" Ino asked.
"Yeah, hopefully that bastard won't appear. If he does I don't know if Sasuke or myself can handle it." A nervous hand ran through pink locks. "Neither you nor Gaara will follow us. Gaara, if you could I need you to go to Hong Kong. They need to know that the stakes have changed." Calmly Sakura walked to her kitchen to make dinner for the three of them.
A part of her felt the sorrow of losing something that she just began to explore. This thing called a 'normal life' felt wonderful. It was like a wind that carried a storm to the desert. If only she could forget everything and live that sort of life. It was something her teacher said that grounded such thoughts: one can never really change if he keeps living the same life over again.
Gaara stepped into the kitchen and watched her make something. "Why now?"
Sakura paused and looked down at the chopped pork. "It would be the last time in a long time you might see them again. I don't have the right to monopolize you. They… are good people. They need you." She felt his hand on hers, her back pressed against his chest, and his nose slightly in her hair.
He didn't say anything just stood there like that. Once upon a time Sakura would have yelled at him, told him that his family was scum and trash for throwing him away like that, and that she would never do that- ever. Then she met them in her self-righteous way to prove herself right.
The brother and sister had moved to Hong Kong and started a healthy business there. Slowly they grew in power in the Hong Kong life style. Now they were a booming company with endless possibilities. Sakura had to take back every mean and cruel word she said or thought about them.
Before her trip to the boarding school Sakura and Gaara both traveled across the sea for a visit. There she told them of their plan and the dangers that lurked in the shadows of her home. At first Gaara's sister was furious and demand that they stay here and never go back. After careful explaining the two agreed. They promised it would turn out okay.
The two of them would come out alive.
"Naruto knows nothing," Gaara tried again, "If something happens who would stop him?"
He cared for his friend as much as he did her, Sakura thought sweetly. "Nothing will happen in a day." Sakura thought he would make a great leader. While he had a ruthlessness about him, Gaara gave and demanded respect. It would be almost amusing to see him among other CEOs, they would most likely piss their pants and gift wrap their company for him.
Gaara grunted and let go of her hand. His jade colored eyes watched her for a moment and left the room. The night was calm and peaceful. Ino said her goodbyes and Gaara left once Sakura was sleeping soundly in her bed. This all was the start be for the storm. When Sunday came it would be raining blood for many days and nights.
Saturday
The school was buzzing with life of all kind. Booths of all the homerooms welcomed the parents and other students alike. The booths had everything from food to games stationed in the courtyard. Every so often a student dressed in a black suit would pass by a point and talk softly into an earpiece.
Yukito smiled from the student council window as he watched his students enjoy the spring festivities. So far since Sakura's arrival to this troubled school no fights broke out, no hazing started, and the overall suicide rate had dropped. Life was good.
It appeared to Yukito that the pink hair distraction was exactly what this school needed. However, something troubled the President—things were almost too quiet. Hinata reported to him a few days ago that something appeared to be going on between the Gaara and Sakura. Yukito quickly brushed away the frantic rumors of Gaara and the girl, instead assuming that something else was going on between the two.
A finger pressed to his ear Yukito spoke, " I am going to the play, I leave everything in your capable hands Neji-kun. Before I go, has Sai or any of the other third years made a move?"
Neji's voice broke through the fuzz on the radio. "Negative. He appears to behaving himself. Tenten, however, confiscated a number of blades, smoke bombs, stink bombs, and a few other objects from all third years."
"Good, good. Any fights to report?" Yukito pushed aside the blinds to scan the courtyard.
"Five, all minor."
"Is that all? What about Gai has he broken up any fights?"
"Two of the five. Lee handled one and I took care of two."
"Everyone on your team alright?"
"Affirmative."
"Good, good. Well, while you are making sure our school is safe please take time to enjoy the festival Neji-kun" Yukito ended the radio conversation and headed for the door. He wouldn't miss this play for the world.
The play was located in the gym, and the stage was already set up and ready to go for the first showing. His private booth was up near the front and elevated a bit higher then the normal folding chairs. They had bright presidential-color ribbons around the box and two plush chairs to sit in. Along with all the typical gimmicks of a real president, Yukito also had two men working security near him for protection.
Yukito took his seat and smiled. He leaned back enjoying the pleasures he himself set up in the first year in office. A few minutes later a small body joined him in the chair next to his. "Hinata, glad to see you could get away from your homeroom."
"Naruto is in this play too… I… I wanted to see him in it." Yukito noticed with some fondness the blush and the way she toyed with her hands.
"Yes, yes, but I do believe the main reason everyone is here to see our beloved Sasuke in a dress." The blond smirked and fanned himself.
The rest of the student body filtered in to see the first showing of Ice and Snow. It was all the students could talk about for the last two weeks and it promised to be a good play. The president eyed the heads in the room, he noticed that Tenten's homeroom friends appeared along with the infamous Gaara, Shikamaru and Chouji. It seems they could all make it for the first showing.
Interesting.
Yet something else caught the president's eye, though Hinata remained clueless of it. While it was true parents, friends from other schools, and even younger siblings could come and enjoy this day, a few young men stood out to his trained eye. They wore all black and had waist length jackets with odd markings on it.
At first Yukito dismiss it as just a new gang that appeared up on his campus until he got a look at their faces. They were older then normal high school students and most likely much more dangerous. Too busy analyzing them, he failed to noticed that they caught on. Deadly eyes locked onto Yukito's, as if in warning to stop his staring.
Calmly, as if unaffected, he averted his eyes to the stage. His face pale, Yukito pressed his index finger to the earpiece.
"Neji, I have two hostiles in the gym. Unsure of their intent, not students." The president spoke into the piece. If anything would go down because of the main attraction today, the perpetrators would meet his fury. No one messed with his students and thought it would be an easy task.
"Sir?"
"Its nothing, Hinata. Let's enjoy the play, shall we?"
Two more students in black and one in normal street clothes slipped into the gym just before the play started. They took tactical spots around the gym. Each of them wore a neutral face and yet kept a close eye on all around them. Yukito relaxed some as the curtain rose and the main players stepped out on stage.
Sakura walked out dressed in princely attire. Her outfit was white with gold stripes and trims. At her side was a replica of a rapier and on her head was a feathered white cap. The hair she was so proud of was bundled up into the hat to appear shorter.
The soft clicks of her boots echoed through the silent gym. Soon the narrator cued in and began to spin the story.
ooooo
Sakura smiled from the back of the stage at the faces of the audience. Most of them in the dim light looked touched by the story. She was proud to touch so many people like this, and proud that the play had been an overall great success.
"Looking good out there, beautiful!" Naruto came up beside her and grinned. He was god in this play, and while the part was small he seemed to enjoy it.
"Yeah, Sasuke is doing the praying part right now, my heroic battle and death is coming up soon." Sakura answered back in hushed tones.
"Oh god please protect him, I pray for his safe return."
Sakura watched Sasuke as he bent his head downwards and the long black wig's hair draped over his shoulders. His hands were clamped together in a pray like jester, eyes closed, and sat before the shrine the class had made. The lights faded out and the scene changed this time to a far away battled ground.
Sakura winked at Naruto and switched spots with her co-star. Students of their homeroom lay on the floor face down as if dead and the lights brighten on stage again. She as the prince was now dressed for battle and stood on the 'hill stop' over looking the death covered ground.
"How I long to return home, when will this needless killing end." Hand on the sword, Sakura looked out into the sea of faces. There was a sudden movement within the shadows and then out of nowhere a man leaped onto the stage. In his hand was a short sword for a moment the two stared at each other. Slowly the students on the floor inched towards the stage exits. Meanwhile the mass of people ooo-ed and ahh-ed at the sight only; the people backstage questioned the change in the play.
Then the stranger attacked.
Muscle reflexes taking over Sakura drew the fake sword against the attacker. A grunt escaped her lips as the real sword connected to the flimsy cheep steal one in her hands.. Dodge, block, dodge, block. Unable to make a real attack with the fake weapon, Sakura danced around the stage at the well time and placed strikes.
Sweat dripped down her face as she rolled away from another attack. The hat that held her hair fell to the ground and a wave of pink cascaded down her back. Green eyes scanned for any means to take this battle elsewhere. She could see Gaara in the second row fist balled ready to jump into the fight, Neji in the far back whispering things into the air, and Sasuke's wide eyes.
'Stop staring and give me a weapon goddammit!' She took a moment to glare at them, while her inner self muttered things about men and being useless.
Another roll and a spin kick later Sakura found herself in a much tighter pinch. In the back the door opened and exposed light to the darken gym. "PRINCE!" Sakura heard the yell and the race of foot steps all seemingly planed and part of the play.
FINALLY! Someone of actual use! Inner Sakura yelled
An object flew towards her and skillful caught it. With a flick of the wrist it transformed itself into a switchblade. .
. The fight with the mysterious man dragged on, neither one wanting to show their true skills. Sakura grunted as the stranger kicked her hard in the gut and sent her flying into the cardboard, ruining the hilltop.
Blood trickled down the side of her mouth and she quickly rubbed it away. Mind racing for a plan she spotted Naruto and Sasuke on one of the exit wings. Standing Sakura threw the knife at the man, like she predicted he dodged. Using this moment Sakura bolted towards him and slammed her fist hard into his face. Sakura watched him spin from the force of the blow right towards Sasuke and Naruto. There she watched another fight break out and for a moment she forgot about the play.
Then a light bulb went off in her head Sakura dropped to the ground and groaned painfully. "That fight…has taken…most of my strength… please… forgive me my love." The lights dimmed again and the curtain fell.
Quickly Sakura got up and rushed off stage to where she had punched the attacker. By the time she got there the three of them were gone. Her head darted left then right, everything had to go as planned, this can't be happening.
"Where did they go? We have to finish this play!" Sakura brushed off herself and looked at follow classmates for answers. The two who disappeared walked through the back door. Both of them looked a bit worse for wear, and it would have appeared that the guy put up a second fight. Sakura quickly walked towards them ignoring the ache in her side.
"Well?" Sakura stepped forward.
"The asshole got away, but not before putting up a fight." Naruto licked his spilt lip.
"Are you two okay?" She covered the small distance separating them.
"Yeah, we're fine. Come on, we can look for them after the play." Naruto stepped forward to take his place.
"Naruto…" Sakura watched his back for a moment then turned to look at Sasuke. Clearly he had the same idea or they talked about this outside already. Her heart pounded in her chest.
Moving out back onto the stage Sakura petals were changed from the Roses in the original script. Sakura closed her eyes and the play was back in motion. Blinking once, then twice Sakura as the prince slowly sat up.
"Why am I still alive? I was wounded, wasn't I?" Her facial features contorted in confusion and she stared up towards the assumed sky. "Wait for me"
It dimmed once more as the scene changed to the church hall. Like a brave prince Sakura flung open the doors to see Sasuke on the ground passed out. The Narrator kicked in explaining the events. Sakura stumbled forward, her hand outreached towards the fallen body.
"No… no this can't be! You can't die!" Her knees gave out when she reached the body and gently turned him over. "No… You couldn't… you can't leave me!" Green eyes burning with rage she glared up at the shrine.
"God! You can't do this! Let her give her life for mine and leave me no choice! I can't live without her! She is my life! My reason for living! Please take away my life and give it back to her! This isn't fair!" Sakura paused and waited.
Naruto lowered from the beams above was dressed in a white dress like robe. Blue eyes stared down at the couple.
"I can't not restore her life."
"Then allow me to die! Kill me and let us be together!" Sakura screamed in agony.
"I can not do that. Life must move to someplace else."
She paused and glanced down at Sasuke. "Take our life and give it to this village. Allow it to protect it and bring to the people the happiness we could not share in this life time to them."
Naruto paused as if thoughtful, then answered, "Very well."
A wave of his hand glitter fell from the 'sky'. Again, the narrator kicked in to explain the events after the couple's sacrifice. The cast then took their bows and left to set up for the next show in two hours.
The three of them met backstage, each looking tired and weary from today's events. Quickly they left the stage area to outside to speak in quiet tones about what happened.
"Sakura, are you alright?" Naruto step forwards and checked to see if she had any visible wounds.
"Yeah, I fight better with my hands then a weapon. Plus I didn't allow him a chance to stab me." Sakura rubbed her right upper arm. There was no way she could tell them now her true skills and expect them to trust her. Too fast, things were moving too fast.
"Who were they?"
His voice broke through her mental rambles and stared up at him in shock. Who were they? Itachi's lower lackeys most likely. Not the group themselves but something like a hit man. Could she tell him this and not have him fly off the handle? No.
"My father seems to want me dead. It was a weak hit man trying to kill me during the play. " She winced as Sasuke grabbed her upper arm tightly. His grip tightened over the still healing slash.
"I know that jacket. Don't lie to me." Naruto stood impassive at the scene. He wouldn't defend her and that meant he must know too. Sakura's brain worked in overdrive. Falling apart, everything was falling apart.
"…Itachi… is here in Tokyo." Sakura stated in defeat and sunk to her knees, her arm still captive in Sasuke's painful grip. "He came to my apartment a while back ago, left me a threat. If I remain acting on my own… he'll end it. That night a spy for my mother was killed. It had his group written all over it.
"I came to you two… because… I can't fight him and my father alone. While I am valuable for control, if I keep messing with their plans, death is the easiest way to stop it. In that they will blame it on you and launch and all-out assault. It doesn't matter who's in the middle, my father wants your side gone and erased from history." She released a sigh of relief when Sasuke let go of her arm. The pain dulled to an ache. Sakura stared up at him to find out how he was taking this new twist in the game.
"He is… here?" Suddenly Sakura felt like she was seven all over again with Gaara. Those eyes, those murderous dangerous eyes.
"Not at the school… but somewhere in Tokyo most likely, or back in Osaka. I don't know. His men are running the streets looking for my teacher." Sakura stood as she watched the two boy-men. Both looked grave and had that killing edge about them. It hit her like a ton of bricks, they have killed before, like Gaara, like Ino. That killing edge that dangerous state of mind that allowed them to kill. She didn't have it, never wanted it. Saving lives appealed to her more then ruining them.
"Tomorrow morning we look for your teacher. Then I am going after my bother." Sasuke glared at her for a moment then stormed off. She could only watch and yet the guilt settled heavily in her gut.
Naruto stood still and watched the girl he thought he knew. "How much have you been lying about, Sakura?"
"Not a lot. I just couldn't tell you guys everything. There is a lot about my family—our families—that not a lot of people know about. It's true that Itachi is working for my father, it's true that they want me dead for what I know, and it's true that I came here for the sole reason of getting your help. That is all I can say right now. I'm sorry, Naruto…" In shame Sakura hung her head; she did a lot of horrible and dirty things over the years. True, she killed no one, but yet she felt like she caused death along the way. All to protect the people she cared about. Was she being selfish?
Suddenly she felt his hands on her shoulders. "Come on. It's alright. Really, you just could have had asked! Sasuke is now on the rampage, though. We better cool his jets and convince him that the bastard isn't here. After that we find your teacher save the day and go kick some Tekiya ass. Alright?" Naruto grinned and stuck the 'good guy' pose.
"Alright lets do it." She smiled in agreement.
oooo
After they parted ways for the two-hour break Gaara appeared by her side. He was about to speak when Sakura cut him off with a shake of the head. "No, it was good of you not to stop the fight. Plus all I need to heal myself is a little energy. After all, I am a medic-nin, and I would be useless if I couldn't heal myself. All of Tsunade's lessons would have gone down the drain. I don't think either Naruto nor Sasuke realize that fact about me."
"It was him, wasn't it?" Gaara ran an irritated hand through his red spiked hair.
"Yes. It was a show of power and the fact he will strike anytime and anywhere. This is even more of a reason for you to go to Hong Kong. If you aren't here then one of his targets are already gone. Naruto won't be an easy capture if he is surrounded with strong allies." She folded her arms in front of her, eyes staring upwards. "And I still don't think he knows, unless he is a very good actor."
"He knows." Gaara's eyes shut slightly. "He has to, this is something you can't go without noticing for long. With or without people to call friends."
He lied to me… damn him. He doesn't know and now he does? Make up your mind. Inner Sakura grumbled and snorted.
Sakura smiled sadly to herself, and then nodded. "Say hello to your family for me, alright?"
A soft 'hn' and a gust of wind later the red head was gone. Now alone, Sakura stared upwards to the bright blue sky. Spring would soon become summer, she thought, eager to see this season change already.
