I feel like my muse is withering up and leaving me again…it's like I have ideas for fanfics that I'm excited about one minute and I tell myself I'll update but at the same time a large part of me is like "Eh, why bother?" :/ Definitely plan to continue this story because I like it and am writing it mostly for me. I know Sakura in the past has been done before and I'm not really following anyone else's mold or trying to measure my story to anyone else's take on the trope—hell, I haven't even read any "Sakura in the past" stories in a while. I'm just saying it's been hard to get into my hobby like I usually would. :(
Reviews are appreciated because they sort of work as kindling for my muse. DX Real life has got me a little down lately. It took me a while to get the concept for this chapter the way I wanted it.
Another chapter where a lot happens!
Before I forget, while I appreciate all my reviewers, I would like to thank a handful of individuals who have been chatting with me via PMs. I'd been feeling and am still feeling "blah" due to a lot of things going on with me in real life that I won't get into, but just knowing people really enjoy my fic and are willing to strike up PM convos is uplifting.
There he was. The man who had caused so much destruction on the battlefield. He wasn't sneering coldly, and his Sharingan wasn't activated, but Sakura so him as no less of a threat. He wasn't clad in his armor, but a deep blue kimono with a crimson obi. Apparently this was his civilian wear. Still, this was Madara Uchiha, without a doubt. Worse, he was alive again. Worst still, she was the outsider in this time period to which he rightfully belonged.
Sakura's fists clenched tightly and she felt her seal itching to be unleashed, a physical tingling on her forehead.
Madara surveyed everyone in the room and his gaze landed on the only person he didn't recognize. A new kunoichi. A new kunoichi with pink hair staring at him with an impressive amount of hostility. "I can't imagine what I could have possibly done to deserve such a look of hatred from you, kunoichi." And her killing intent wasn't lost on the others, either.
Hashirama had grown tense, his face sobering considerably as he looked between his old friend and the young kunoichi cautiously. Tobirama also observed the display keenly. Clearly, she either knew Madara personally, or she'd encountered the Uchiha clan before. By her reaction she wasn't happy to see him either way. He remembered her story of being the last member of her family, and wondered if the Uchiha had anything to do with it, Madara most of all.
"You," Sakura seethed. 'Stay in control!' She told herself. Yet her fist was already glowing blue. A direct hit and she could potentially do some real damage.
"I don't believe we've met." Madara continued, seemingly unaffected by her extreme anger. "On the battlefield or otherwise. That hair is rather memorable, if nothing else."
"Madara…this is Sakura Haruno. She's recently joined the village." Hashirama smiled weakly. The intensity between the two hadn't wavered even slightly.
"Sakura," Madara said musingly, the name rolling smoothly off his tongue. "I don't think I've ever slaughtered any Haruno." he said nonchalantly.
Sakura's temper was dangerously close to winning. 'You may have never killed my family but it doesn't mean you didn't kill hundreds of comrades! Including you almost killing Tsunade-shishou and Gaara and the other Kages!'
"M-Madara, please!" Hashirama all but begged. "Could you…tell us all what this mission is?"
"Back during my father's time as head of the clan, we had a shaky alliance with the Kaguya clan." Sakura stiffened at the word, doing her best to hide the visceral reaction the name "Kaguya" incited in her. "They were fierce and barbaric and thrived in the chaos of constant war." Madara's face showed clear disdain.
Cold terror and righteous anger warred for dominance as Sakura thought of the most fearsome opponent she'd ever faced down with her team. Her threat level to the world has easily trumped Madara and Obito's combined…
By the look Tobirama was giving her, she knew she'd let some of her emotions slip across her face in some way. Of course, if he questioned her, she could easily say that it was due to encountering this Kaguya clan, being that the Warring States era was such a bloody, brutal period. If they were in league with the Uchiha at any point they were likely a strong shinobi clan. Maybe they even had a connection to the goddess...
"You never mentioned anything about this to me." Hashirama suddenly interrupted, sounding very much hurt.
Madara shrugged. "What need was there?"
Hashirama continued to sulk regardless.
"Honestly brother," Tobirama looked wholly exasperated with his brother's change in mood. "Do you not remember what our father told us? About a clan that had briefly allied with the Uchiha—warriors wielding weapons made of their own bones. He called it devilish."
Toka, who had been listening quietly, nodded. "Yes. I remember once as a child I saw such warriors on the battlefield. Shooting bones from their bodies as if they were kunai. And even when one of their own fell…they reveled in it. They were ghastly."
Now, Hashirama really seemed to have kicked his brooding into high gear at the news. If Sakura had to guess, she'd say it was because he felt left out of the loop. He wasn't the only one though. She was just as clueless about this Kaguya clan of horror, though also morbidly curious now. It sounded like a kekkei genkai. What other way would they use bones as projectiles? Bones served a purpose; as a medic she knew this well. But that purpose was not impaling your enemies.
Hashirama now wore a downcast expression as the Uchiha continued.
"An accurate description." Madara agreed. "Their bloodline ability is jarring, but combined with their insatiable appetite for battle it makes them overwhelming to most opponents. Naturally, my father wanted to utilize this for as long as possible, though there was never any official signing of a treaty."
"And," Tobirama remarked, "I suppose that when you became clan head you maintained the unofficial alliance."
"It seemed the most diplomatic option at the time, yes. I wasn't quite convinced Hashirama's village proposal would pan out." Madara answered, unapologetic.
Sakura could clearly see the proverbial stone drop down on the poor Hokage's head.
Madara noticed too, and rolled his eyes. "When it did I told the Kaguya it would be the end of our alliance. Naturally, you can imagine how that went over with them. Which leads me to my request,"
'Finally!' Sakura thought. She didn't trust this Madara, regardless of the fact that he hadn't done any of the things the one on from the Fourth War had. One day he still might. He had it in him. She had blindly accepted the offer of a mission, not knowing he would be the client. Her caution was firing on all cylinders. It could be a trap.
"I need two shinobi capable of retrieving my Gunbai."
Hashirama's eyes widened. "Y-Your fan is gone?"
Madara sighed. "I've been searching of course. Shortly after we agreed to the treaty, before moving to the village, it was stolen from the compound. Uchiha spies have been in the fields looking, as I knew it would turn up eventually. The Gunbai is not something that can be effectively wielded by just anyone, and a large battle fan is far from inconspicuous. I've received conformation that it's in the Kaguya's possession."
Sakura's own eyes widened in shock. Now she remembered! It was that horrible giant fan Obito had, and subsequently returned to Madara. She was seriously expected to put such a powerful weapon back into the hands of a murderer?
There was a quiet sound that could've been a snicker, carefully disguised as a cough. She peered at the white-haired man at her side. Madara had heard it too, narrowing his eyes at the younger Senju brother. "You find this amusing?"
"Frankly, yes." Tobirama said. Blunt as ever. "That fan was your pride. And you allowed it to be taken from under your nose. I thought there was nothing the Sharingan didn't see?" Sakura had to choke back a snicker of her own. She may not have been on the best terms with Tobirama, but hearing him fearlessly taunt Madara was entertaining.
"Would you perhaps like to face my Sharingan for yourself?" Madara asked. Sakura froze, the hostility between Tobirama and Madara palpable and smothering. It hadn't quite risen to the level of what would be considered killing intent, but it was getting there.
"Tobirama. Madara. Peace!" Hashirama had apparently snapped out of his funk. For the first time she saw the First Hokage's face become stern as he issued a silent command for both of them to stand down.
As Sakura and the other two Senju looked on, the two calmed themselves reluctantly.
Once it was clear there wouldn't be a brawl—that would likely level the building flat—in the Hokage's office, Hashirama was back to being all smiles. Sakura sweat dropped at his quick turn around. 'That's some resilience he's got.'
It was so strange that this man who would come to be revered as a legendary shinobi, was so far either a seemingly unassuming man child or a commanding leader. "Now! Of course we'll help you retrieve your weapon, Madara." Hashirama nodded in reassurance.
"Brother, hold on!" Tobirama quickly interceded. "You know nothing of the enemy's current location, their numbers, or if they are expecting someone to come for the fan. How can you so easily go along with this?"
"Well…" Hashirama frowned, thoroughly chastised.
"And why is this not a matter your own clan could handle?" Tobirama continued, this time directing the question at Madara.
"You should be smart enough to realize that they would expect an Uchiha to come for the fan. They took my Gunbai partially for what they feel is retribution and also likely to draw me into a confrontation. While I certainly do not balk from the challenge, I'd just as soon not walk into what is so obviously a trap designed specifically for me." Madara sounded very patronizing as he explained. "Which is why I need two unassuming shinobi, kunoichi preferably, to infiltrate and retrieve it."
"Why kunoichi?" Sakura asked sharply. She was sure her mistrust was clear in her eyes.
Madara crossed his arms as he looked at her like her presence wasn't needed. It made Sakura's blood boil. She had spent years fighting to earn her place on the battlefield fighting alongside and not behind her boys, and she would not be dismissed!
"There's been word as of late that the Kaguya want fresh shinobi blood in their folds. They've taken many women from smaller clans to keep as spoils of war. They were never as large a clan as we are, and too many constant battles has caused their ranks to dwindle. Repopulating as soon as possible seems their best option to avoid extinction."
Sakura's face took on a look of disgust, and when she saw Toka she saw the older woman's expression was much the same. Hashirama looked troubled as he realized what Madara was saying and Tobirama stared coldly.
"As you might imagine, an Uchiha would be easily recognized, and they are not foolish enough to believe an Uchiha woman would go to the enemy willingly as a deserter."
"So we're supposed to offer ourselves up?"
Madara eyed the young girl skeptically. "Who said anything about this mission pertaining to you?"
"I agreed to take the mission before you entered! You're the one that needs help getting your stupid fan back!"
"Quite the mouth on this one," Madara remarked, suddenly looming over her. Yes, his speed was just like she remembered it.
"Madara!" Hashirama rose from his seat, looking concerned.
Sakura stepped away, glaring, but he grabbed her jaw firmly in his strong grasp. "Urk!" She stared as defiantly as she could, channeling her kill intent.
"Oh?" Clearly Madara sensed it. He looked…intrigued. "Maybe you are a true kunoichi after all. Very well." Sakura clamped down on the hand holding her jaw and applied pressure. Without her chakra, she easily began to leave a bruise around his wrist. Something flashed in his dark eyes and then he abruptly let go. Seemingly satisfied with himself, his hands disappeared into the sleeves of his kimono as he folded his arms. One reappeared, and he carelessly tossed a scroll in Tobirama's direction. The white-haired shinobi caught it with ease.
"You'll find the location and design of the Kaguya stronghold my strategist drew up." Madara explained nonchalantly. "Use it wisely."
He brought his sleeves together and his hands disappeared again, standing there like an emperor. Poised liked that, he looked regal and untouchable, and Sakura loathed him for it. He might as well have had a crown on his head! In his casual disregard for everyone in the room, especially her, she saw arrogance.
"I look forward to the return of my Gunbai." he said, seeing himself out.
Sakura and the three Senju watched him go with various expressions on their faces from anger to worry. Hashirama, on the latter end of the spectrum, turned to her, his brows pinched in apology. "I'm sorry, I'm not sure what's gotten into him." he sputtered. "If you'd rather not accept the mission, I'd understand. I can—"
"No." Sakura was determined to get that fan. She would accept his unspoken challenge.
"Show me you are significant enough to acknowledge." His eyes had said.
"With all respect Hokage-sama, I'd like to go."
Hashirama's expression remained concerned. Not because he doubted her personally, but more because, he could see something about the interaction with the Uchiha leader had upset her.
"Don't think you can accomplish this mission with bluster." Tobirama said sternly, looking up from surveying the mapped details. "It would be foolish and you would be forfeiting your life."
"My answer's the same." The pink-haired kunoichi said coolly. "I want to go on this mission."
'So shut up and tell me when I'm leaving!' Her irritation with Madara was bleeding through, and she wanted to be excused before her temper was unleashed.
"Brother…" Hashirama said quietly. "Sakura-san seems to be confident. We owe it to her to match her confidence with our own belief in the success of her first mission as a shinobi of Konohagakure."
Tobirama eyed his brother's pleading eyes, and then the clearly wound-up younger kunoichi who was staring off into space. Walking over to hand Toka the scroll, he closed his eyes in acquiesce. If she was to earn her keep in serve the village, she'd have to prove herself eventually anyway. "Do as you see fit."
"Right. Then I'd like you to pack for departure and convene at the village gate within the hour." Hashirama instructed the two women. "And, for my own peace of mind, I'd like to send additional aid. N-Not because I doubt you!" he added quickly, "But, they will shadow you and in the event it's needed, intervene if problems occur. I'll catch them up to speed and they can also meet you at the gates."
Toka turned to her mission partner. "Alright, Sakura-san. Let's both prepare ourselves to the fullest. By the looks of this map, we've got a day or more of traveling ahead."
Sakura nodded solemnly. "Yes!" She'd rather not have had her first mission in this time be helping the likes of Madara, but now that she'd agreed she was determined to see it through. That should take the smug look off his face!
'Get ready to taste defeat. Shannaro!'
"Madara, welcome back." The clan head looked up from his calligraphy to see his brother standing in the opened rice paper door, his hair ruffled slightly by a light breeze. "Did Hashirama find someone suitable to retrieve your Gunbai? I could go—"
"No," the elder brother interrupted. "Toka Senju, and a rather interesting girl have accepted the mission and I'm wholly looking forward to the results."
Izuna's silky ponytail spilled over his shoulder as he cocked his head in curiosity. "Oh? You've found someone whose strength you'd like to watch."
"I'm not sure. It would please me if her strength matched her fire. She seemed to despise me on sight."
"A jilted lover?" Izuna joked, taking a seat across from his brother.
"Hardly." Madara just barely resisted rolling his eyes. His hand was sure as he continued his smooth strokes of the brush. Not many would guess that calligraphy was a pass time for the feared Uchiha leader.
After all, what interest would he have in a slip of a girl with curiously pink hair?
Madara finally enters the fray! Aaand, surprisingly (not) he's kind of a jerk. I don't know about you but I get the feeling he and Sakura will be clashing more than our favorite pink-haired kunoichi does with Tobirama. Actually, I think her dislike for Madara would earn her some serious brownie points with our white-haired cynic. XD Dare I say it'd give them something to bond over. Anyway! This is still a poly fic so eventually Madara and Sakura will find a way to meet in the middle. I mean there still has to be MadaSaku romance eventually, right? It doesn't mean either of them will fall in love quickly. This is slow burn after all.
…This is a random thought that just occurred to me, but was Kishimoto watching the Fox and the Hound or something when he wrote Madara and Hashirama's relationship? Because Hashirama is clearly Todd while Madara is Copper. ._.
I forgot to mention last time that Mizuchi's concept is based off Japanese lore that "Mizuchi" is a type of river deity that is often depicted as a dragon. So there you have it. I couldn't decide whether she would be the Snake or Dragon goddess but in the end I chose dragon. Plus, the Rabbit and the Dragon (as well as the Snake) are all members of the Chinese Zodiac, so no matter what I'd chosen there would've been a theme to it. ;)
And also, I'm going with the fact that I don't think Sakura is aware of the Kaguya clan. Kimimaro was the last known member in her time and she never faced him. Sure Lee could've randomly told her, but let's say he didn't. Speaking of her own time, what Naruto and Sasuke are up to will be revealed next chapter.
Once again, friendly reminder that a review is the equivalent of tipping on Fanfiction. XD
