Chapter 12: Ruminate
"In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun."
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles
Sasuke-Outskirts of Konoha
'He's never alone.'
Sasuke sighs, taking in the beginnings of Konoha's nightlife. Naruto had decided to take his sweet time perusing the stands with the Hyuga girl.
This is typical of Naruto though, something so engrained in him from childhood. He's never been fond of being alone from what he saw during his time on Team 7 and even before then back at the Academy when he was just known as the class clown and loudmouth idiot. He had always wanted to head to Ichiraku's altogether after a mission was done or try and drag out said missions by taking a longer route back to the village so it couldn't officially end too soon. Loneliness has always been his companion, but it's one he often tries his best to avoid if he can.
And now it seems he has, at least for today.
'What skills did you learn in the future, what did you learn about Itachi?' He scowls, balling his hands up feeling the first itching's of impatience.
"Don't you want to head down and say hello?" Orochimaru hums beside him breaking him out of his thoughts, taking in the glittering streetlights and bars of neon yellows to electric reds.
One of his snakes never returned, likely dead amid the forestry meaning security will soon be on higher alert for them all. He can feel Kabuto's stare on them too from the trees up above, a silent wondering why neither of them have made a move to head in now that nightfall is finally here. They could easily blend in using some of the playful children's masks of birds and foxes, keep to the shadows and alleyways...
Yes, tonight would be their best chance to slip in before things become more locked down he knows, but he's letting Sasuke take the lead on an assignment for once.
At least to see what skills he's created without his input.
'Show me Sasuke, show me what power you've gained that I can soon to put to use as my own once I claim your body.' Orochimaru smirks, gold orbs gleaming taking in his calm expression.
"No, I'll get to Naruto when he's truly alone. After midnight once he returns back to his apartment." Sasuke grunts, turning back to move deeper into the woods to wait.
Kabuto blows out a breath, watching him go. "Why are you letting him boss you around like this Lord Orochimaru?"
Orochimaru waves it off, chuckling. He would never grow tired of Sasuke's obstinate behavior no matter what Kabuto thought of him. It's nearly a new moon up above, only a thin crescent of light to guide them along the darkened and muddy paths.
'We're all used to the darkness though, I've trained Sasuke in the pitch black of night.' He recalls.
And it's in the darkness that he's truly seen Sasuke's power flourish and grow.
Kabuto lags behind, barely constraining a scowl and furrowed brows over this situation when Orochimaru peers back to him.
"Leave him be Kabuto. I don't want you to create any arguments or needless fighting tonight. I'm curious to see how Sasuke approaches this because this matter involves his dearest brother Itachi; it's not something that can be rushed." He reasons with an underlying warning making Kabuto huff, but nod. They follow after Sasuke as he walks over to a bend in the trees before maneuvering himself up the largest one.
The oak tree he chose must be hundreds of years old from the way it's branches split out and tangle into the surrounding trees, copying his move to walk along the bark upwards to the treetops and wait.
"There's no telling Naruto will even be alone tonight, this could all just be a colossal waste of time." Kabuto mentions dryly despite the frown Orochimaru sends him.
He should've asked one of the underlings-prisoners to come in place of him like Jugo or Karin who obeyed Sasuke's word without a blink or second thought to it.
"He will be, it's not in Naruto's nature to be out all night." Sasuke answers back, ignoring the way Kabuto's dark eyes set upon him in silent disagreement.
But Kabuto has never been around Naruto on night missions or had to listen to his snoring as soon as Kakashi-sensei would announce they needed to camp for the day.
"Put your tent on the opposite side of the forest from us; you reek of sweat and mud!" Naruto exclaims, puckering his lips and clenching his nose tightly in dramatic fashion.
Sasuke rolls his eyes. "You're smelling yourself idiot. If you hadn't ran through that bog and nearly sunk in, none of us would be so dirty and we would've caught that stupid bird faster!"
He sighs at the memory of that stupid D-rank mission, burying it down.
Sakura that time hadn't even tried to stop the argument surprisingly, verdant orbs looking between them both like they were puzzles she no longer wanted to try and solve.
Was she still in Konoha?
'It doesn't matter, none of them matter anymore.' He kills the thought before it can linger and distract him, old memories of her coral pink hair or jade orbs watching him fading back into the recesses of his mind...
Eventually Naruto will go home to rest, it's inevitable he'll part ways with the Hyuga girl. He'd considered triggering a reaction out of him by catching her alone, but even her senses seem heightened to be on the lookout for him.
"Tell me this, what do you plan to do once you finally interact with Naruto? Do you have a set plan?" Kabuto asks seriously. If they're going to be stuck here for a majority of the night, he needs to at least make sure they make the most of it; that every minute counts.
Sasuke looks to him fully then, smirk twisting in a way that makes Kabuto shift back and Orochimaru chuckle. The air surrounding them all becomes palpable with his rising anger; frustration.
"Get answers. By any means necessary."
Naruto & Hinata
"I've always seen myself as cursed in a way." Naruto remarks aloud.
After all, why else would so many people he knows try to keep his heritage from him?
How different would things have been with his peers from the Academy and the regular civilian of Konoha if Jiraiya had stayed around? If Kakashi-sensei or Old Man Third truly watched him like they promised his parents?
He absently recalls the way so many people only up until recently regarded him with indifference to outright malice. The cuts from those memories haven't fully outright left or even healed, only scarred over in the hope he won't pick at them again.
"This isn't going to work out." Kaori begins, eyes that same icy blue that remind him of the Naka river when it freezes over in the winter. Sharp ice that can tear at skin plunging you into chilly waters that await anyone who dares try to cross it.
It seems in a sense, the ice is about to crack on him.
"Wait hold on, why?! We're supposed to do this transformation jutsu practice in pairs and Iruka-sensei put us together!" Naruto sputters.
He should've skipped today he realizes. He really should've listening to that passing thought he had when he first woke up that today was going to be bad day since his alarm clock never went off properly, that all the food he had in his fridge already expired a few days ago...
And suddenly he can feel the rest of their classmate's eyes turn towards them, waiting for his embarrassment to show.
He clicks his tongue, mind wrestling on how to turn this rising fire in the pit of his stomach around that won't result in him making this all so very worse for him.
Because her nose wrinkles as if his very words smell foul, anger sparkling in her eyes turning the ice to fire.
"You can figure that out yourself! Besides, I don't want to be stuck with you and get a failing grade." Kaori explains away, twisting on her heel back to her friends having watched the scene play out from under the shade of the trees.
"Good thinking Kaori, Iruka-sensei will understand your reasoning!" A ponytailed girl beside her relates, Sayaka or maybe it was Sawako.
Kaori shrugs as if it was no big deal, sparing him one last glance over his shoulder.
"Ehh, well I thought maybe Sasuke would look my way if he saw how quickly I could do a transformation jutsu and complete the target practice with the kunai. Ahh, but that was my own fault; using the Dead Last of our class would never have worked to get his attention."
He pushes the memory away, nearly scratching at another old scab when Hinata bumps at his shoulder.
In the future he's a hero of village and what feels weirdly like a celebrity, posters and billboards want to use his name and image for advertising, to promote products and goods he's never even heard of, but that people will buy simply because of his face on it.
'Things are going to change.' He reminds himself with a sigh.
He feels a warm hand loop around his own, turning halfway to meet pearl orbs.
"You're not cursed." Hinata speaks warmly now that she has his full attention.
Naruto laughs though it comes out hoarse dropping a light kiss to her head, mind still all over the place.
"Pervy-Sage was telling me that not everyone is happy I'm back in the village. I don't recall our future selves mentioning Danzo or his connection to Sasuke and the village; do you?" He asks, lowering his voice an octave as they pass through the evening crowds.
Hinata frowns, recalling the name come up in passing once or twice from her older counterpart.
"Is there anyone else we should look into besides this Akatsuki?" Hinata-Y asks just before daybreak, stirring absently at her tea.
Sleep only came in fits for her compared to Naruto, her older self smiling in understanding that it's too long of a day ahead for her to truly fall into a deep sleep as she moves to collect the folders from the office area. Naruto-O meanwhile chuckles regarding his younger form, holding onto Hinata-Y's arm just to keep himself upright.
"I'm going to need to get used to waking up before noon eventually." He muses making Naruto-Y's eyes fully open.
"My eyes are closed, but my ears aren't." Naruto-Y yawns.
Outside the sky is still relatively dark, a milky pinkish-orange on the horizon the only sign that sunrise is approaching.
Hinata-O looks up from the stack of photos as she returns back into the kitchen, brows creasing together. "Hmm, the Akatsuki and their associates are the most dangerous ones to focus on...ah, but there was also a man named Danzo too wasn't there Dear?"
Naruto-O pauses, cobalt orbs clouding in thought. "Wasn't that the guy Sasuke killed at the Samurai bridge? I wasn't there though I know it happened around the time of one of the Hokage Summit meetings after Pain's attack. I don't think I can recall anyone saying anything positive about him or the Root foundation he set up...this is a good reminder for my past self to pay more attention in history class and information updates from Granny!"
He peers then to Naruto-Y, glazed look in his eyes dozing off again trying to absorb all of this information at once.
The hours are moving by, there is so much he can't forget, mustn't forget...
Naruto-O flicks his head, snapping him to sit straight once more.
"Ouch! What was that for?!"
"I remember my older self mentioning that name in regards to Sasuke and the Uchiha clan, but Sasuke's older self just said he was a man committed to old policies that led to him committing suicide while fighting him without giving further details." Hinata recalls.
Naruto grits his teeth, frown deepening. "Crap, we should've pressured him more on that you know! We focused so much on the Akatsuki over finding out more about any of these other people who could pose a threat to Konoha too."
And Danzo could easily have plans that could threaten Granny Tsunade's safety, plans that could lead to innocent civilian deaths for the sake of what he felt was good for the village. He operates mostly in the shadows via others they know at least, manipulates situations to benefit himself.
They needed to track his movements like he was doing to them.
Hinata straightens, an idea coming to her. "I'll use a butterfly to follow him. One of the toads would be too obvious knowing they're the messengers of choice that Jiraiya and you most commonly use. Shino's insects would be a good option to use too, but I feel he already is aware of the Aburame clan's many beetles and insects they use no matter how small."
Naruto weighs the idea, nodding slowly. "Won't he be suspicious of a butterfly too then?"
"Perhaps, however it's springtime now and black swallowtails and cabbage white butterflies are common at this time of year and can easily blend into the environment. They carry scents of the surrounding mountains and forests for him to not immediately think it's a shinobi following him." Hinata reasons.
Naruto hums, running it through his mind before beaming in agreement.
"Okay, I don't take it he's one to pay too much attention to nature anyways you know." He assumes.
Hinata nods, eyes softening as they carry on.
"Danzo is a very ambitious person from what I've heard, focusing only the betterment of the village and ensuring we have power incase of another war. He's never been married or has any children and has little in what you could call friends or hobbies. He has but only one goal in mind: To be Hokage." She explains.
Naruto sighs, guiding them out of the path of a pair of children running with masks shades of whites to blues; giggling as their sparklers glow a bright yellow in the rising darkness.
He wonders if these small moments matter to someone like Danzo, affirmed in the ways of the old generation when it comes to tactics and policies.
'Just how badly does he want to be Hokage?'
Sakura
"These were written urgently." Gaara regards, taking in the messy scrawl of Jiraiya's penmanship across the scrolls.
"Not his finest work." Pakkun agrees, letting out a grunt.
The ink leaves a black river along the sides and Sakura silently wishes she could've forced that stupid Pervert Sage's hand to stay straight and not leave so many thumbprints that smudge and seem to alter the meaning of his words.
Sakura nods, pursing her lips. "Sorry about that, I never did actually look at what was written down fully."
Gaara shakes his head, reviewing over the scroll one last time.
"No matter, I understand the gist of what it says. Essentially, my life is in danger; correct?" He states, looking back up to her.
Her stomach coils at how blithely he speaks of the subject, but then again Gaara is used to assassination attempts or people trying to usurp power from him supposedly for the sake of Suna or to keep things as they are.
'His own Father tried to murder him to test his power; he's unfortunately used to this type of matter.' She recalls from her research before making this trip.
It's a reminder of how sheltered her life was in Konoha before becoming a kunoichi, that the mundane issues she dealt with day to day growing up were nothing compared to others her own age.
She swallows, nodding. "Once your tailed beast is extracted, it results in your death. Suna's defenses should be prepared now as there is no telling when the Akatsuki will move in now that Naruto and Hinata have returned."
Gaara regards her silently, green eyes misting over like a rolling fog considering their next options. His sand swirls about him forming a shield, trying in a sense to block out this painful revelation of what his future holds.
No matter how much sand he can form, can use from the surrounding deserts, none if it will be enough to fully protect every last building and corner of Suna.
"...I will start making the plans for a meeting with Suna's top commanders and officers in the defense and offense departments for later this week. Now that we have their identities and how to counter their poisons and explosives; Suna will be ready. What of Naruto and the other jinchuriki though?" Gaara finally decides.
Sakura resists a shrug, she hadn't heard Lady Tsunade or Jiraiya mention what was going on with them.
"All the information I have is only on you." Sakura replies quietly.
'But Naruto will know.' She adds mentally.
Because there's no telling if they're even dead or alive right now, hating that her thoughts trail more towards the former.
A pinging noise shrills out across the room before either can say more, walls crackling.
"Gaara, we're in need of Sakura's assistance with Kankuro!" Rika's alarmed voice comes through the intercom and Sakura jumps to her feet, ignoring the swirl of dizziness that hits her, the bite of nausea on her tongue that she is going to go even longer without food.
Pakkun sends her a worried look, hopping to her shoulder. "You're going to get burnout and turn into a patient yourself."
Sakura waves him off, taking to the stairs two at a time; Gaara's sand pushing her along to not crumple to the ground. "I'm fine."
Though her hands are shaking, a numbness trekking across her body that will soon be too hard to ignore.
"You're running on apple juice and graham crackers I brought you from the pediatric unit and unlike what those kids believe, it doesn't give you superpowers." He snorts back.
Well, he's got her there.
She gives him a crooked smile. "No, but it does give a boost of sugar to keep going."
Baki greets her as they return back to Kankuro's room, one arm tucked around Kankuro's waist holding him up. Sweat belies Kankuro's form from head to toe, Sakura plastering on a scowl enough to make him wince at being caught.
"Found him practically halfway out of his bed about to crawl across the floor. Why wasn't the bed alarm on or his bedrails up?!" Baki scowls, glancing to Rika who withers under his glare.
Sakura intercedes between them both, helping him to get Kankuro back into bed.
"Not even 24 hours out of surgery and you're already being a terrible patient!" She jokes lightly, looking to see that he indeed took one of the white tablets she created with the help of the pathology team and that his bandages are still intact.
'And best of all, nobody saw the other items you were working on!' A bitter thought cheers, stomping it down before she thinks of what she's done.
These are the most critical hours and Kankuro's already screwing them up trying to leave against medical advice, focusing her attention on him and not the lies in the back of her mind of what she did at the greenhouse...
Kankuro's expression crosses between pain and exasperation as she hooks back up his IV and raises the bedrail on his right side. "I can't just sit here and do nothing while my sister and brother go out to the frontlines to fight this coming Akatsuki group!"
Sakura huffs, ready to refute such an idea when Gaara steps forward from behind her.
"Kankuro, you're in no position right now to do any active duty. Rest and recover and let me and Temari handle the affairs of preparing Suna. We'll keep you posted." Gaara asserts, leaving no room for argument.
Kankuro grits his teeth, looking to his puppets and gear still tuck away in the corner of his room. Sakura follows his gaze, jade orbs softening in realization.
She heads over to pick up one of the smaller figures of what looks to be a scorpion and spider mix, taking in the sleek redwood polish of each of it's legs and silver strings before turning back to him.
"If you can take it easy the rest of this week and the next, then I will give the okay to Dr. Hattori and the others that you can work on your puppets for a few hours each day. In addition, you must start participating in your physical therapy at the correct times and not on your own; would that work for you?" Sakura suggests.
Kankuro deflates, crumpling like his very puppets though he accepts the animal carving from her hands.
"Not like I'm getting much of a choice here." He grunts with a nod.
"You're not, so don't be such a baby about it!" Temari snaps from the entrance, marching her way over to sit opposite her brothers. Kankuro slides downward into his linens, avoiding his sister's wrath while Gaara looks on in quiet amusement. Baki smiles at the scene, the Sand Siblings all together on the same page.
Sakura grins too, stepping back allowing Gaara and Temari to take a seat beside Kankuro.
"Any updates we get involving the Akatsuki we will relay to Lady Tsunade and her advisors." Gaara promises, Kankuro and Temari nodding their agreement.
"We need to head home; time is of the essence for us too." Pakkun whispers to not interrupt the moment as soon as they're back in the hallway.
Sakura nods, head pulsing blinking away black spots from her eyes.
All her morning adrenaline is gone.
"I brought you lunch, come sit with me and Lady Tomoko!" Rika chirps, guiding her along to one of the break rooms. It's only a simple BLT sandwich with chips, but she sighs happily in relief as soon as she takes a bite, earning a giggle from her peers.
The cases she sees afterwards, simple to mildly complex cases of diabetic foot ulcers that need draining, flu shots to be given, and UTI's that need antibiotics are oddly calming, tremor in her hands fading.
So when the sky turns a dusky amber-red, it doesn't feel like she is leaving Suna without having accomplished something for herself and for others.
All alone too, perhaps this is a sign Lady Tsunade will let her do future solo missions!
They entered Suna around nightfall, it feels fitting to leave around the same time. Maeda and Katahide bowing respectfully this time around, passing along sweet and dry mochi to black teas that are rare to get in Konoha.
"Consider this our apologies for our rude behavior from before; don't be a stranger Dr. Blossom!" Maeda chuckles.
"Dr. Blossom?" Sakura quips back.
Katahide nods, pointing to her hair.
"My old man was at the hospital for his annual physical and saw you making your rounds. Called you Dr. Blossom for your pink hair; like the cherry blossoms he saw when he vacationed at the Land of Hot Water."
Pakkun snorts under his breath. "That's basically just calling you Dr. Pink."
Sakura pokes his cheek in return, it's certainly a better title than Ino's nickname for her.
They move along until the sand gives way back to grass, trees soon towering above them as they blend themselves into the coming night.
The forest smells fresh of rainfall and moss, moonlight not here to help give silvery paths to guide them along. Her feet catch in thick patches of mud, chilling her legs brushing off tangling vines and leaves.
"Humor me with something, what do you see in that Uchiha boy? I heard Temari mention his name when you brought up Shikamaru to her." Pakkun asks as they leap casually across the trees.
Sakura stiffens, looking back to the pug. His normally dry expression holds the faintest of amused smirks, waiting for her to answer.
She can feel her face growing hot, thankful for the darkness, that Pakkun can't smell embarrassment.
The last thing she ever expected out of this journey was explaining her love problems to a dog, but here she is.
"When I was younger I liked to wander and pick flowers from Konoha's nearby forests, even built up a little hut with Ino. I really hated my large forehead, it still bothers me even now, but when I put flowers in my hair back then that at least distracted people from it. I felt less shy; confident to speak my mind." Sakura begins.
She can picture herself so clearly, gathering chamomile and daisies, the bright wildflowers that came in shades of purples and reds.
And then one afternoon in the meadows nearby she saw Sasuke there with his brother; Itachi.
"You're rushing it, that's why the flames aren't coming out properly." Itachi observes.
'That's Sasuke's big brother.' Sakura notes, sinking deeper into the hollow of the closest tree beside her, thankful it has this hiding spot besides just the daffodils that grow along it's trunk.
Sasuke lips morph into a scowl, fire a weak stream compared to the effortless blaze Itachi shows in example.
"Just inhale slowly, concentrate in gathering up the energy." Itachi explains.
"I know! I know! Father said it that way too; can't you teach it another way?!" Sasuke snaps.
Itachi says nothing, stepping forward poking a finger gently at his head.
"Don't worry about what Father says, you'll master it at your own pace." Itachi assures him.
Sakura pushes herself up slowly and carefully out of the hollow as they switch to a different task somewhere deeper in the woods, looking between the brothers as Sasuke hops onto Itachi's shoulders before hurriedly twisting to go home.
"Ah, I think that was the first time I saw that Sasuke wasn't perfect, that there were things in his life that even he had trouble with. We were placed on the same team a few years later and I got to see more of those rare moments, got to learn the tiniest things about him like his love of tomatoes and dark teas. It didn't matter anymore his looks or his grades, just this boy who could make my insides squirm when I healed his twisted ankle and he looked at me in surprise. When he asked me about the herbs I used and my own goals." She explains.
'But now those feelings are twisting you, no matter how much you try to bury me.' A cold thought slithers in, a reminder to never forget who Sasuke has currently become.
They're cruel actions she must do if she ever wants to get him to return back to Konoha she knows, actions that will inevitably spill blood...
The liquid flask in her pocket feels hot, as if it will burn a hole in her very pocket. Once she's home she will replicate it in the privacy of her room, far away from Lady Tsunade's eyes or Shizune's nosiness of asking if this is another strange project of hers.
It's far more than just that.
'I need to get rid of him, before he does something reckless.' She bites her lip.
Pakkun hums, gazing upwards to the starry night.
"Well, can't say I fully understand." He muses.
Sakura chuckles. "So no lost poodle or chihuahua loves from your past then?"
Pakkun shakes his head. "I follow the bachelor lifestyle like Kakashi."
They move in silence for awhile before Pakkun stops, leaping ahead abruptly.
"Hold on, I'm catching another smell." He perks up.
She picks up on the scent just minutes after him, taste of burnt leaves and ashen bark hitting her tongue when she inhales. Her head throbs anew at the familiarity of the pattern where a fire has turned a section of the trees utterly black. It leads her to an odd trail of scorch marks that line across the corpse of a badger and then a squirrel the closer they get to Konoha.
A memory sparks up. Sasuke demonstrating the fireball jutsu for them, a swirl of vibrant orange-red flames surrounding her, Naruto, and Kakashi-sensei.
Her heartbeat switches from faint to loud, kicking her legs to go faster as if she can chase his shadow through these very woods...
He's heading in the direction of Konoha, the home he willingly left.
'Why now?'
And then it clicks, Naruto and Hinata are back.
"He'll want answers." She whispers to herself.
Sakura grits her teeth, Pakkun catching her gaze as their thoughts turn the same.
'Sasuke was here.'
Hinata
'This feels like Déjà vu.' Hinata pauses, peering down the snack aisle.
Tiny Leaf's brand name strawberry milk cookies to animal shaped rice crackers stare back at her, children hovering by the latest cheese themed snack being promoted.
It's the very same company that Himawari loves, good to see their business will still be prospering even 10 years from now. She recalls their jingly commercials with their mascots of a maple leaf and pine leaf, promoting their expansion into the other nations as spinoff names of Tiny Sand and Tiny Stone respectively for Suna and Iwa.
"Mama, look! This box has cows on it!" Himawari points out, pulling on her leg to get her attention off of heading to the vegetable and fruits section where they should be. She squeezes at Boruto's hand, getting his focus away from slipping out of her hold to go to the toys section.
"Do you two want to try some?" An attendant asks, introducing herself as Miwako; one of the workers assigned to this area of the market.
She smiles at Himawari's enthusiasm as she bounces on her toes, offering them each a sample of the sweet and crunchy confections that melt on the tongue.
"What do you say to the nice helper?" Hinata gestures, the pair bowing to the woman respectfully.
"Thank you!" Himawari and Boruto state in unison.
Hinata squats down beside the duo, taking in the pink and white font that excitedly describe the product as high in calcium and vitamin D and supposedly makes snack time easy to handle and clean up.
"What sound does a cow make?" Hinata asks and sapphire orbs brighten excitedly.
"Moo! Moo! Just like where Grandpa took us!" Himawari exclaims.
Boruto frowns beside her, wrinkling his nose ready to disagree. "Nuh uh Hima! Grandpa took us to the zoo yesterday! Cows don't live at zoos; they live at farms!"
"Cows can live at zoos!" Himawari argues tearing up, gripping at her leg and pouting in a way that reminds her so much of Naruto it's hard not to laugh.
"No they don't! Tell her Mama!" Boruto huffs, grabbing onto her opposite leg.
Hinata sighs mentally. Himawari's upset rising making the blue of her eyes start to wash away to white, though Boruto surprisingly doesn't back down like she hoped he would. Miwako gives her a weak grin that she is used to seeing toddler tantrums amid the aisles when things don't go their way...
Probably just not in front of her stand though.
"Both of you, this isn't the time to argue! We're going to go get the apples and celery Aunt Hanabi asked us to get then check out!" She voices in a warning hiss.
Himawari lets out a low whine, eyes trailing towards the rice crackers now. Of course they would use a shiny purple and blue wrapping, crackers in the shapes of elephants, tigers, and monkeys popping out to be further enticing.
"Can we get those?" She asks, tiny hands already reaching for and grabbing onto the package.
"No Hima, put that down." Hinata orders.
And now said package is staring back at her again, it seems no matter what period of time she's in she'll run across Tiny Leaf's abundant snack products.
The supermarket is busy for late morning, faint smell of fresh seafood still lingering in the air from the early morning rush to get the best catch of the day. In order to not draw so much suspicion she and Naruto must continue with their normal tasks, including for her picking up a few of the groceries for the manor.
The two butterflies she sent out last night from her window haven't reported anything yet.
But for the last 5 minutes she's been getting the nagging sensation of being watched...
'Who is this? One of Danzo's underlings?' The first idea.
'Or maybe someone connected to Sasuke?' Another thought adds in.
Her heart lurches, steps moving lightly towards the bakery where it's less crowded, crackling her fingers drawing the tips of electricity in.
Whoever it is, she'll be ready.
Beside her are just seemingly elderly woman discussing the latest increase in the price of wheat bread while a pair of middle aged men head for the wine and spirits section towards the back.
"Byakugan." Hinata whispers under breath, scouring each of them thoroughly for anything besides the ryo and little accessories they carry on them.
Nothing.
A hand reaches for her, Hinata turning halfway to meet crimson orbs.
"Kurenai-sensei?!" Hinata breathes out.
Alarm settles across her expression and she realizes quickly her byakugan is still active, that the hand that was reaching for her she was about to numb with an electrical shock.
Just as fast though the look of surprise leaves Kurenai's face, brightening peering over her. "Hinata, it's truly been too long; we need to catch up since your time travel trip! To think all it would take to find you would be to simply visit one of Konoha's busiest marketplaces!"
Heat pools at her cheeks to have almost made such a silly, awful mistake; pushing on a smile. "Kurenai-sensei, yes! Sorry, I've been so caught up with returning back to the clan and then seeing my old classmates."
Kurenai's grin fades just a bit as her scarlet eyes turn somber, enough for Hinata to see the cracks of how stilted this whole conversation is.
"...You've been avoiding me; haven't you?"
Hinata opens her mouth, then closes it. She's as terrible a liar as Naruto is, perhaps even more so and Kurenai-sensei could always see through her so easily.
Except for knowing when she was about to steal the scroll, nobody had known her thoughts then.
Kurenai steps forward, looping their arms together.
"Come on, I'll pay for your groceries. There's much we need to talk about, let's get some tea at the new coffee shop that opened next door!" She orders, not giving her time to question it as they head for the check out.
Outside it feels uncomfortably hot despite it being a cooler day, sky a mix of bluish-gray. The sun brightly warms them not even allowing for a cloud to give them some shade from the heat and help her to think on what to say, how to react to this sudden change of plans.
"I'm sorry again I wasn't able to greet you and Naruto for your homecoming! I've been so busy with jonin meetings on top of helping divert various mission assignments for genin and chunin. Oh, and I even had time to train Sakura in genjutsu!" Kurenai chuckles, retelling her all she's been up to in the past year.
A sourness burns on her tongue, forcing on a grin to match hers.
"It's really no trouble Kurenai-sensei; I understand." Hinata smiles, ignoring the tight swishing in her stomach. Eventually, she was going to cross paths with her sensei, have to figure out someway to interact with her and not think of the sadness in her eyes the last time she saw her with her daughter Mirai...
The wind scatters up a mix of leaves beside him, yellow maple mixing with the pink of the cherry blossoms.
Kurenai sighs, taking in the blend of rich scents before taking a sip of her tea.
"You know it's funny, Kiba told me one of the first things Naruto did upon greeting you all again was kiss you right in front of everyone! I know he has a tendency to exaggerate, but even that seemed extreme for him!" She chuckles.
Hinata looks down to her tea, feeling her face start to flush. "Ah, well he's not completely lying..."
Kurenai audibly gasps mid sip, voice garbled between a cough and laugh trying to clear her throat.
"Wait, Kiba was telling the truth?! I thought he was just trying to pull an odd joke on me." She mutters, reaching for the napkins to clean up the mess she's made.
"Ah, it wasn't like a full on lip kiss if that's what's your picturing!" Hinata hurriedly explains, but Kurenai shakes her head, eyes warm with joy.
"I'm glad, for Naruto to finally notice your feelings and realize his own. Though I hope it won't take 10 years for him to propose or go beyond just hand-holding and stolen kisses!" She jests.
Hinata giggles with a light "no" in return, Kurenai reaching to squeeze at her hands and her stomach starts to drop.
"Is everything okay Hinata? With you? With the clan? You can tell me anything; you know that right?" Kurenai repeats firmly.
'No, I can't. I don't want to hurt you.' Hinata stiffens.
"When it comes time to explain the deaths...what we saw in the future, let me be the one to tell Kurenai-sensei." Hinata decides.
Before, Shikamaru had broken the news to her, but now he won't have to have that burden.
Though it still means they must tell team 10 together what they know about Asuma-sensei.
Naruto looks up from the photos, expression a mix of understanding and ache.
"Okay."
Kurenai's hold tightens, forcing her to meet her gaze.
Her hands feel sticky with rising sweat, goosebumps pricking her skin of the territory she's heading towards...
"Yes. No. There's much I need to tell you sensei."
Naruto
"What took you so long bastard?!" Naruto bellows, glancing up from his scrolls. He's been half-heartedly reviewing more wind-based techniques at Pervy-Sage's advisement, though his eyes always found their way back to his alarm clock.
And now at finally 10 minutes after midnight, Sasuke has approached him.
His room isn't the fitting place for a fight; his neighbors are going to file another noise complaint against him before the week is over he's sure.
At Sasuke's silence he goes on, rolling his eyes.
"Did you come here to talk, fight, or just stare at me blankly?" He questions.
Sasuke scoffs, wondering if the rumors he heard around the village are even true regarding Naruto's new abilities. "Besides the change of attire, you still look and sound the same as always."
But before he can point his blade at him Naruto is ready, up and behind him kunai poised at his neck.
'What did he just-' Sasuke freezes, gazing down seeing a series of chains locking his legs in place.
He puts up his hands before he can trap them as well, sucking in a breath.
"Fireball jutsu!"
The flame dances across the closest chain, fire doing nothing to melt it only constricting his legs further.
"You're not here to kill me, though I'm not going to allow you to threaten me in my own home or damage my stuff." Naruto warns, pressing the kunai closer, enough that the scent of blood wafts into his nose.
And despite Sasuke's impassive expression once he undoes the chains, he can hear his heartbeat grow louder, teeth clench in frustration as he leads them up onto the rooftops.
"Fine, you know why I came here. Tell me what you know about Itachi." He spits.
Naruto quiets, cobalt orbs turning icy in a way that only makes Sasuke further scowl.
Electricity crackles up in his hands, poised for his chest.
"I don't have all night. Or would you rather I get answers from the Hyuga girl?" He jests.
Naruto's stare darkens like expects, a flash of red in his eyes.
"I would never allow you to get close enough to Hinata to harm her or any of the Hyuga clan members." He retorts.
Sasuke straightens, considers Orochimaru and Kabuto waiting somewhere in the dark; listening to see how this is going to go. Being this deep into the village is dangerous for them all when he's a missing nin and they're both wanted criminals. Any ANBU operative or passing night guard can blow the whistle on this whole plan and leave him without answers.
Naruto huffs, crossing his arms.
The signal between him and Hinata.
A second later smoke starts to envelop them, a sickly sweet scent of lavender and foxgloves.
"Wear this; now." Naruto orders, pushing a mask into his hands.
"What is this? What are you doing?!" Sasuke questions sharply, but he accepts the mask before he inhales anymore of whatever this is surrounding the rooftop. The little he breathed in makes his eyes burn, head dully pound.
They only have 2 minutes, maybe 3 before Orochimaru and Kabuto close in on them.
"What I have to tell you shouldn't involve Orochimaru's or Kabuto's ears unless you decide they should know. It was best to make a smoke bomb that can cause drowsiness and a severe sore throat when inhaled directly. Everything Hinata and I learned about Itachi came from your future self and you never told us much you know." Naruto begins quickly.
Sasuke nods slowly, following the outline of his figure that he won't make any false moves.
"Itachi is dead in the future yes, but he is dying currently of a rare respiratory-cardiac related illness. There was some type of coup the Uchiha clan was planning against Konoha, something Itachi knew about and was ordered to stop when peace negotiations failed. I don't think he could bring himself to kill you though, no matter how bad things were getting." He explains.
The smog is lifting, Naruto speeding himself up.
"I don't have the full details you know, but I think he was working under Danzo's orders. However, you'll have to ask Itachi that yourself. He's the one you should be telling you all this really." Naruto explains.
'Dying. Itachi is actively dying.' Sasuke stills, mind running through every scenario he's thought of on how to kill his older brother.
Poisonings, burnings, a clean slice to the throat, chidori piercing straight through his chest...
Illness had never been an option.
'Is it this illness that kills him or my own hand?' He frowns.
The fog dissipates and with it, Naruto too, though not before leaving a parting message.
"I'm going to take down the Akatsuki members, one by one. If you choose to join them, I'll take you down as well if need be." He voices.
Not a warning this time, just a fact.
Orochimaru and Kabuto immediately hop down beside him, Kabuto steeling him with a harsh glare at his recklessness while Orochimaru looks on to make sure there are no other surprise attacks.
"What happened Sasuke? None of what we saw before that smoke bomb went off seems like it went according to your plans. We can't stay in this area much longer, guards to the east saw the smoke and are approaching." Orochimaru mentions, the first to break the silence.
But Sasuke doesn't answer, balling his fists twisting his focus towards the Hokage Tower.
He can't recall Itachi or even Father ever bringing up the name Danzo during the night meetings they had, though he had never been allowed to sit in on them, getting caught every time he tried to stay up by Mother or one of the other clan members...
But apparently this man okayed for the massacre of his clan.
"The smoke came from this way! Hurry, there might be a fire in one of the apartment buildings!" A man's voice yells out from below, trail of flashlights following creating a river of yellow.
'Danzo.' He repeats the name over as they take back to the forests, committing the name to memory.
Now he just needed to put a face to the name.
Elsewhere-Konoha
'Foolish woman.'
Danzo scowls, watching Tsunade carefully.
"With the snake Kakashi found, all guards have been put on higher alert for Orochimaru and Kabuto; at this time no other snakes of his have been found, but there was reports of a mysterious smoke bomb yesterday night near Naruto's complex. Additionally with Naruto and Hinata's return, we'll be having daily drills over the Akatsuki as their members are much more likely to be coming close to Konoha's borders and stage possible bombings or assaults. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and what you discuss even with your loved ones as we don't know the full abilities of all of their members yet or who are spies for them despite pictures and information Naruto has given Jiraiya." Tsunade reviews.
She looks up across the room then, clicking her papers together making the whispers cease.
"Any questions?" She asks.
Danzo holds his tongue, looking across at the wave of jonin stone-faced and ready for her orders.
Why isn't anybody asking how they'll restrict Naruto? Ensure he doesn't get into the Akatsuki's hands?
'It should be me commanding them, Konoha is too at risk under Tsunade's leadership.' He clicks his tongue.
Silence greets her in return and she nods.
"Alright then, dismissed!" Tsunade announces.
"Yes Lady Tsunade/Lord Fifth!" Salutes are given back in return, clouds dispersing around them as everyone leaves for their assigned posts.
Danzo holds back, eyeing as Tsunade slumps down in her chair, retrieving her favored bottle of sake from the bottom cabinet.
Amber orbs catch his staring, brows furrowing.
"Did you need something Danzo?" She questions.
'Yes, you're day drinking again and it's barely even noon. I should establish a Root operative to track Naruto's movements, stage an encounter that proves you need to step down and that your abilities are unworthy of the Hokage title.' He thinks.
His eyes study the clearness of her sake so similar to water, or perhaps he just needs to taint her favorite drink...
"No, it's nothing. I'm...just concerned for the village. We've been in peacetimes for so long and I feel that's made us and our current batch of shinobi weak. We need to enforce stricter policies if we are to be taken seriously by the other nations and this Akatsuki group." Danzo brings up.
Tsunade leans forward in her chair then, grip tightening on her glass making tiny cracks form along the rim. "Oh, do tell? I couldn't help but sense you wanted to say something during the meeting with your intense staring on me."
Danzo straightens, air thickening between them.
"Well, I can't be sure you would even listen-" He starts, knock at the door interrupting him.
Jiraiya pokes his head in, glancing between the pair paying no mind to the tension.
"Whoops! I'm not interrupting something; am I?! Think I left some of my old manuscripts in here from the earlier morning meeting! It's for my latest Makeout Paradise series, going to take place in Land of Snow with a working title of Melting Her Heart; sure to be a best seller!" He cheers, nudging Danzo jokingly as if he cares.
Danzo resists the urge to pull his arm away, the man never takes anything seriously. Why Hiruzen even thought he could've been Hokage alludes him when he talks like this.
"I was just on my way out. You can discuss your filthy books with Lady Tsunade." Danzo grunts out, slipping out the door.
"Don't mind if I do!" Jiraiya calls back.
He's sure the two are going to talk about him, Jiraiya to ask her if she's okay and Tsunade to snort out she's fine before continuing on with her drinking before finally getting to the reports she needs to read/sign and the rounds she needs to make at the hospital.
He has plans of his own to make now anyways, discuss his next steps for dealing with Naruto, with the Akatsuki.
'Sai, it's time to put him to use.'
-x-
Hello, it's already March now! Don't feel too crazy about this chapter but everything has been set up now for the Akatsuki to soon make an official appearance and two characters are about to go after the same guy if you can guess who they all are lol. (Will be an interesting interaction!) I'm trying not to rush things or be too slow, I feel like I'm never going to be good at fight scenes or traveling scenes since they're not always my favorite scenes to write, but I'm trying my best!
I'll be on vacation with family this week to the Caribbean, a much needed break from the clinic and life's stressors really ha ha! I don't think I'll have much time to write so next update may take me longer than my usual 2 week interval, but I'm sure ideas will come to me while I'm out and about taking in the sites! Let me know your thoughts as always!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!
