As I said last chapter I am SO hyped for this "development arc"~! I'm not sure it has an official name like the last arc did, but even this "filler" that connects to the next big major arc is important imo. Anyway, I am blown away at the response this story continues to receive. Domo arigato, thank you, danke, gracias, gratze, and all the other words for thanks that I don't know. It's hard work, because quite a bit of creativity, research, and brainstorming goes into this fic, but it's been really fun. So here are some things I wanna say briefly:
If you're an anon (or anyone in general) with a detailed question, you can always ask it on tumblr (anoceaninthesun) if not in a review. I could use more asks in general as it might keep me invested in my tumblr, which is kind of an idle fancy atm. XD But yeah, if you're an anon I strongly encourage you to ask away over there, because that way it will be easier for me to respond directly to you. Also, you don't have to wait as long for an answer.
Warning: This chapter is an absolute beast. Holy hell. I told myself I wasn't going to get back into the habit of cranking out these monster chapters, and I meant it. A short, sweet and sensible 5,000 words or so is the life for me. And yet...the ideas overflowed and this just...exploded. Into a pulpy, veiny, pulsating mess. Uuuuugh. I should've taken a band-saw to this and cut this creature in half.
Persistent knocking like a woodpecker with a vengeance was the first conscious sound she registered. Sakura rolled over with a groan, trying to ignore the sunlight streaming through the bedroom window that the gauzy curtains didn't block out. "Mo away…" she grumbled into the futon her face was pressed flat into. The knocking paused, and Sakura sighed in contentment. That woodpecker clearly knew what was good for it.
Her peace didn't last long when the knocking started up again. 'Okay…clearly the world wants me up.' A hand slowly slithered out from beneath the cozy covers as she reached groggily for her alarm clock, intent on checking the time. Questing fingers absently patted the flat wooden surface of her nightstand a few times before she realized she wouldn't find an alarm clock, because they didn't exist yet. 'There's no way I'm getting a rooster.'
The pounding intensified and Sakura jackknifed upward, an agitated cry leaving her mouth as she got up. It occurred to her that it wasn't a woodpecker outside her window, but someone knocking on her front door. She had no idea what time it was, but she knew it was probably an indecent hour because the sun didn't look like it'd been up long. Whoever was on the other side of the door was going to get an earful.
She didn't bother changing out of what passed for sleepwear in this time, a light yukata, before stomping over to the door. Admittedly, being woken up early wasn't the only thing causing her bad mood. Despite being back in the safety of her own house for the first time in over a week, sleep hadn't come easily to her the night before.
Her mind was plagued with endless thoughts of the dragon goddess, Mizuchi, now corporeal and running wild in the mortal world. She dreamt of the deity, but she didn't know if they were truly dreams or if Mizuchi was letting her see through her eyes again.
Sakura felt frustrated and guilty, not knowing what she'd done to let Mizuchi free in the first place, and struggling with the thought that she might have inadvertently unleashed a force more dangerous than Kaguya on the world.
When she finally opened the door to see a cheerful looking Reira being scolded by Toka, her scowl melted into a confused frown. Rubbing at her tired eyes to make sure she wasn't imagining things, Sakura leaned her hip against the doorframe. "Uh hey, what're you guys doing here…so early?" She squinted into the sunlight of the outside world.
"You look awful!" Reira gasped. Sakura's face darkened. The last thing she wanted to know was that she looked as hideous as she thought, and by a little girl no less.
"Reira!" Toka admonished, pulling her by the ear. Reira yelped. "I'm sorry, Sakura," the kunoichi said apologetically. "Entertaining this one's antics aren't important. Clearly you need your rest more."
Sakura was scrambling for an answer, but her brain refused to connect their appearance to any helpful information stored in her head. "What?" she grunted.
"Don't you remember?" Reira asked, tears of pain in her eyes as Toka continued to hold her ear. "Yesterday!"
Verdant eyes blinked, and suddenly a flood of memories came sluggishly churning back.
Sakura glanced around at the patrons of the barbeque house. Everyone was enjoying their yakiniku so much that no one had even glanced up when they'd entered. Except for the portly chefs searing meat on a long griddle at the front of the restaurant, who welcomed them enthusiastically. Sakura was a little surprised to see that everyone working there seemed to be members of the Akamichi clan. 'Since when do the Akamichi run a barbeque place?' That was definitely a new change from her time. Although, if it had been the case Choji would have been elated.
"Back again, Reira? And you've got some company this time."
Toka looked down at her niece skeptically. "Reira…just how often did you come to this restaurant while I was gone?"
Reira pouted innocently, toeing the floor to avoid meeting Toka's eyes. "Once…twice…maybe a few times."
Toka sighed. "Well I suppose that's not so—"
"A week." Reira finished.
"What? You had plenty of food at home, and Mei-san was supposed to prepare all your meals."
"She was!" Reira acknowledged. "But she kept trying to get me to eat icky stuff…so I ran away from dinner and found this place on the day it opened. I've been coming here ever since."
"One of our youngest and best regular customers." A passing Akamichi added. "And for a little thing she puts her meals away just as well as any grown shinobi." He reached down and patted Reira's head with a beefy hand.
"See? They like me around here!" Reira said proudly. "Come on, let's go see if my favorite table is open…" she glanced around the room, and her eyes lit up. "Ah! There it is!" She ran for a table close to the back of the restaurant, near the kitchen.
Toka and Sakura followed and took their seats in the booth. Sakura sat on one side by herself while Toka sat with Reira. Sakura couldn't help but study the griddle built into the table curiously. She doubted it was electric, but it still had to be some of the more advanced kitchenware she'd encountered in this era thus far. It looked like it worked with wood charcoal.
She wondered if it'd be possible to get one installed in her house. 'Or is that being a little vain?'
An Akamichi woman waddled over, grinning when she noticed Reira. "There's our Reira-chan. What'll it be today?"
"Just some rosu for me." she answered without hesitation.
"And for you ladies?" she asked, "We've got quite the selection, so choose away."
"Misuji will be fine." Toka replied.
Three pairs of eyes trailed to Sakura expectantly and she looked around nervously. She'd sometimes be invited for barbeque with Ino and her team, and usually she ate whatever Ino was having.
"Um, chicken I guess?"
"That's sorta boring." Reira sighed, kicking her legs.
"Hush," Toka scolded. To their hostess, she said, "Could you also bring some vegetables?"
"Of course," said the Akamichi. "I'll be right back with your platter." Their hostess smiled pleasantly, heading back into the kitchens.
"Vegetables?!" Reira squawked.
Toka leveled her with an admonishing stare and she instantly quieted. "I have no doubt that while I was gone you got away with quite a bit. But do you really expect me to let you eat all that protein without any vegetables?"
Reira blushed lightly. "Well…I was hoping?" she said quietly.
"I apologize, Sakura." Toka said. "My niece is…more than a handful and can often get out of control. Feel free to reign her in as you see fit should she ever bother you."
Sakura waved it off. "It's fine, actually. Girls need to be a little outspoken sometimes, right?"
Reira eagerly nodded in agreement. "See? See? She gets me!" she told Toka. To Sakura, she grinned approvingly. "I just knew there was a reason I liked you. Besides your hair and that neat looking diamond on your forehead…what is that anyway?"
Sakura lightly tapped the purple seal in the center of her forehead. "It's my Byakugo Seal." Sensing another question coming on, she added, "It's like a reserve. I store chakra there for my medical jutsu, among other things." Sakura didn't want to over-explain the nature of the mark, afraid it might go over the young girl's head.
Reira studied it for a second in wonder. "That…that means you have Yin Release, right?"
Sakura sat up in surprise. "That's right…how'd you know?"
Reira puffed up. "'Cause Tobaa's got Yin Release too. And Suiton."
"Really?" Sakura directed the question at Toka.
The stoic kunoichi merely shrugged. "Yes. Although, I haven't mastered a technique nearly so advanced as a seal. Mostly, I use Yin Style for my genjutsu. Do you know any other fuinjutsu?"
Sakura rubbed at the back of her neck. "Nah, not really. This is definitely the most fuinjutsu I know right now."
"Still, that's no small feat." Toka continued. "I've heard of only a select few even among the Uzumaki, a clan known for their strong life force and vast chakra reserves, capable of such fuinjutsu."
Sakura scratched her cheek humbly. "Oh uh, look! The food's here." She glanced up at the platters being brought to their table, grateful for any distraction. Receiving praise was always appreciated, but it made her inexplicably bashful. The moment she realized the Byakugo had appeared on her forehead she had been in a state of disbelief she had managed such a momentous thing. Deep down, that disbelief had never completely left. Looking back to her genin days, when the only thing she really had over either of her teammates were her academy scores and perfect chakra control, it felt a little fated she'd awaken to the seal.
Reira was more than happy to drop all talk of chakra nature transformations and accomplishments the minute she laid eyes on the cuts of raw meat. She insisted her rosu be cooked on the griddle first, and Toka told her that would only happen if she had a portion of the vegetables with it.
Sakura watched them, and couldn't help but smile to herself a little. Toka was like a stern mother, though her affection for Reira, muted as it may have seemed at a glance, was very obvious. And Reira, loud and tomboyish but surprisingly intuitive, was hard not to like.
"Hmm…." Reira brought her face alarmingly close to the cooking meat. "I hate the waiting part. So let's talk about Sakura!" Her gold eyes sparkled, and Sakura, only having seen that level of worship in the eyes of Naruto or Lee, tried to steer the conversation into another direction.
"I'm really not all that interesting."
"All the interesting people say that!" Reira tittered. "Anyway, Sakura, maybe you can help us out." She took her chopsticks and carefully flipped a piece of meat so it would cook evenly.
"Help with what?" Sakura asked, watching as Toka added her own meat onto the griddle.
"Well ya know, every year it's the same thing whenever it gets close to Hashi-nii's birthday. Tobaa always gets him a boring gift."
Toka huffed indignantly. "My gifts are not boring, they are practical. Lord Hashirama has always been appreciative."
Reira rolled her eyes. "Because he's too nice not to be. But there's only so much one person can do with a thousand hand-crafted kunai."
Sakura was a little amused to see Toka's face flush. "They weren't all just kunai…" she defended faintly. "The sets have also included shuriken and senbon in the past…"
"Like I said Sakura, she's really unoriginal with gifts and it's a problem. This year I wanna get him something special. It's his first birthday as Hokage!" Reira looked down and realized her rosu was cooked. She eagerly took it off the griddle and began dipping it in tare. "So do you want to help us find him a gift?"
Sakura considered that for a minute. So far the Hokage had been accommodating and kind to her. But, compared to Toka and Reira she hardly knew him. "I wouldn't mind helping if I could but I think you know much more about Hokage-sama than I do."
Reira munched thoughtfully on a piece of rosu while Toka tended to the griddle. Sakura began adding her own pieces of chicken onto it distractedly. "That's true I guess…but what if we told you all about Hashi-nii? Then you'd be able to help us pick something, right?"
"I-I'm not really sure it works like that—"
"Please!" Sakura gasped as Reira reached across the table to take one of her hands. "I just know if I rely on Tobaa he'll get a boring gift again, and he's done so much for the clan and the village, I want him to have something nice."
Sakura hesitantly glanced between Reira's pleading face and Toka, who was shaking her head at her niece. "You're being very forward. We will manage fine this year, as we always do—"
Sakura mentally prepared herself. 'I feel like I'm about to get in over my head.'
"When's…when's his birthday?"
Sakura winced as Reira squealed in excitement. "So you'll help?!"
"Er, maybe…"
"Great! Did you hear that Tobaa?! If the three of us work together, we can find something better than whatever the rest of the clan gets him!"
"Rest of the clan?" Sakura queried. "Are the Hokage's birthdays a really big deal with the Senju?"
"Well," Toka explained. "They weren't always. But, the Senju are naturally very proud of Lord Hashirama. He is a good leader. Since he took over from his father, it's been custom to have a celebration of sorts for his birthday, yes."
"It's really fun." Reira went on, talking with her mouthful. "The whole compound celebrates. There's a lot of food and even games. Tobi-nii and Tobaa pretend to be grumpy but I know they're always happy to celebrate his birthdays too."
Toka ignored that as well.
"Presenting the gift that becomes Lord Hashirama's favorite that year is also something of an…unofficial clan competition." Toka admitted. "He will say he likes them all equally, but it doesn't stop everyone from trying to be the one that gives the gift he likes best."
Sakura plucked a piece of the cooked chicken off the griddle and blew at it before popping it into her mouth. She had a piece of chopped cabbage and then looked curiously at the two Senju. "Sounds like this could be pretty intense. How much time do we have?" Time was important. She had to help choose the perfect present for someone she hardly knew.
"I'd say four days, give or take." Reira said nonchalantly.
Toka and Sakura stared at her. "Four days…? October 23rd cannot be in four days. It's…it should only be—" Toka quickly counted on her fingers. "In four days." She concluded flatly. "I was so preoccupied on the mission I had completely forgotten."
'October 23rd, huh?' Sakura mused. 'At least I know what month it is now.'
"Yep, well, no one told you to leave for over a week and a half!" Reira wagged her finger, spearing yet another piece of rosu with her chopsticks.
"So we don't have a whole lot of time." Sakura sighed. "Alright, when should we start looking?"
"First thing tomorrow!" Reira raised a fist in excitement. "We can meet up at Sakura's house in the morning."
Sakura had a few more bites of food and nodded. "Is that okay with you Toka?"
"If you truly feel like it's not a bother, then yes, having you join us this year might be nice."
Sakura rubbed a hand down her face. "I did agree, didn't I?" she motioned the two Senju inside and closed the door. "Do you think you could wait for me? I just need to bathe and dress and then we can go."
"Sakura, clearly you're in no shape to—"
"No, I'm fine. Really." Sakura kept her tone perfectly firm as she walked away from them. It was foolish to think she'd be getting rest anyway. Mizuchi would be there to plague her mind as soon as her eyes closed. It was much better to get out of the house and distract herself. 'I wish I had some kind of pick me up though…' Groggily, Sakura trudged into the bathroom, staring woodenly at the empty tub she didn't feel like filling.
"Toka?" she called unsurely. Was she taking advantage of the Senju? Maybe a little…but despite having water as one of her natures she hadn't mastered any Suiton techniques.
"Yes, Sakura?" she heard Toka on the other side of the door.
"Do you mind…helping me fill the tub? I'm sorry, but it'd be quicker…"
"It's alright," her friend answered calmly. She let Toka in and watched as she had the warm water rising in the tub in a matter of minutes. The pinkette sighed in gratitude.
"You really, really have to teach me that sometime."
Approximately twenty minutes later, Sakura had bathed and dressed. "Thanks for waiting." She stepped into the front of the house to see Toka laying food on the table where Sakura generally ate her meals. "Er, you didn't have to cook or anything…you're guests."
"Today promises to be a long one." Toka said solemnly. "It's important we keep our strength up."
That was such Toka logic. She approached everything with steadiness and careful planning. Sakura nodded slowly, taking a seat at the table across from an eager looking Reira. She noticed the child always looked happy whenever food was involved.
"I hope you don't mind me using your supplies…" Toka said as an afterthought.
"Not at all," Sakura said, taking a piece of sliced melon. "I'm just glad I went back and got some things for the house after we parted ways yesterday."
Reira, who had a melon slice stuffed in her mouth, grinned around it, making Sakura laugh. "Mwee twu!"
"Careful or you'll choke on that."
Toka glanced up from the mocha she was arranging to glare. "I see you've forgotten all table manners," she smacked Reira on the back of the head, causing her to spit the melon slice out.
Sakura grinned. "Alright, so tell me a little bit about what the Hokage likes. And what kind of gifts have people given him in the past."
Reira wiped the melon juice dripping down her chin off on the back of her hand. "Hmm…he likes the village, and meeting new people and that scary-looking Uchiha he's friends with, and plants, and—"
"Hold on," Sakura interrupted. "Some of those aren't…exactly tangible things to give. Let's come back to likes and move on to what he already has."
Reira stared at the melon rind in her hands thoughtfully. "I don't think he needs weapons. He always gets those." The brunette girl directed a pointed stare in Toka's direction. Sakura heard the older Senju defiantly grumbling under her breath.
"Right…no weapon sets. Uh, how about a stylish kimono? You can't go wrong with that, right? Something elegant and simple ought to do the trick." Sakura nodded sagely, already imagining the Shodai sporting something that screamed "handsome feudal ruler!" Oddly enough, when she envisioned him in a dark kimono, he was making Lee and Gai-sensei's signature pose, thumbs up and all. 'He could totally pull it off.' she decided. She wasn't sure if she meant the clothes or the pose…possibly both.
"One," Reira drawled, holding up a finger, "problem. He's always dressed in the same clothes 'cause he's Hokage! What's the point of new clothes if nobody sees how pretty they are?!" she finished with a pout.
"Is that why you wear yellow?" the pinkette asked, staring at the almost too-bright fabric.
Reira nodded eagerly. "Isn't it pretty? Bright colors make me happy. And I'm hard to miss this way!"
"The exact opposite of what a ninja should be." said Toka.
"Let me live!"
"I'd very much like to. It's you trying to get yourself killed insisting on wearing that monstrosity—"
Sakura sighed heavily, massaging her forehead. Toka was right after all; today definitely felt like it would be a long one. "She may have a point, Reira," Sakura decided she had to get them back on track. Reira's face fell. "But you know, I know someone that always wore bright clothes too, and he turned out to be one of the strongest shinobi I know." The downcast expression was replaced by a confident grin. "And," she turned to Toka. "You have to admit it does suit her."
"I suppose, but—"
"We should probably get back to deciding on what you're going to get Lord Hokage though."
"Okay!"
"Yes, you're right."
Sakura discretely wiped her brow. 'Attention successfully refocused.'
"Then tell me what you think he needs. You both know him much better."
"Sending away to have something made might have increased our options," Toka rejoined the conversation after finishing her mochi. "But, considering how little time we have left, scouring the market is our only chance now."
'Wow,' Sakura thought, impressed, 'She even makes that sound like its life or death. She could have been a good theater actress in another time.'
Reira raised her hand and waved it around. "I think we should go look what the artisans made today!"
"I thought we were avoiding kunai sets?" Toka reminded grumpily.
"We are. But that's not all they sell!"
Sakura thought it over. She had a point. And something that had been hand-made might be more sentimental. "That actually sounds like a pretty good place to start."
"I…" Toka paused. "Have to admit it's not the worst idea I've ever heard."
"Thanks! Wait, were you just making fun of me?"
"Not at all."
"That means you totally were!"
"I think we have our objective now, ladies. Next is making a plan of attack." Sakura smirked, hitting her palm with a fist.
"We're going to win the best present competition this year!" Reira said gleefully. "I just know it!"
Jun'ichi sighed as he came back to the area where he'd left his sisters, only to find it empty. Of course. How could he have ever expected they'd stay put when all they'd done since leaving home was get into trouble? He, being the oldest and the most sensible, was determined for all of them to keep a low profile.
The Kaguya name came with many enemies, and though he knew he and Harihane combined were more than a match for most who would cross them, he wanted to try a new, more peaceful way.
His temperamental sister hadn't been happy about that. Despite her best intentions, destruction was in her blood. Her very hot blood. The world was a very dangerous place, especially for two seemingly defenseless girls and a young man traveling alone together. More than once, rogue nin had attempted to rob them and worse. More than once, Harihane had mercilessly cut them down.
Jun'ichi knew it came naturally for her, trained to kill from a tender age. At least, he reasoned, she wasn't taking pleasure in it. In her mind it was simply a matter of her or them. And knowing his sister the way he did, he knew she was always going to pick them.
Jun'ichi set down the supplies he'd bought, and decided to look around. In all likelihood they weren't far. That was his sincere hope.
"Kikue? Harihane?" he called, walking along through the woods. Neither answered.
His sisters caused him so much grief every day… and yet they were all he had now. They couldn't go back to their clan, their old lives. Not now. They'd made a pact to band together when they decided not to return. Jun'ichi was determined not to become his father after meeting the mysterious kunoichi who had unceremoniously turned their lives upside down. He only wished he could see her again, and thank her for releasing him from his cowardice.
"…no!" the voice sounded like Harihane. They were close.
Jun'ichi trudged through the woods, occasionally picking twigs out of his hair and trying not to catch his kimono on branches. It was embarrassing to admit, even mentally, but at nineteen, he realized he had seen very little of the world, and despite living under his father's tyranny, he knew very little of hardships.
Inside the compound, he had servants who catered to his every need, the finest silks to dress in and plenty of food to eat. The only times he'd truly been out of that fortress was to travel with his father. Once to see the Uchiha and arrange an agreement, and the rest of the times were when he was taken on some of his father's bloody campaigns.
Leaving home on a journey of his own free will, traveling with no particular direction, was very new to him. It was new to all of them. Kikue had never once set foot outside the Land of the Dead in her entire life. The whole world was new to her, and she eagerly drank it all in. Harihane was much better at keeping an unimpressed façade, but even she had been flourishing since leaving the compound.
They slept under the stars almost every night, and talked about the constellations. They took turns cooking food, even though he was by far the best at it. They bonded in a way they never had before, learning more about themselves and each other every day.
Collectively, deciding to strike out on their own had been the best thing they could have done for themselves. Maybe one day, they'd face the consequences of turning their backs on their family. No. It was a clan. Jun'ichi knew his only family were right beside him. In front of him, maybe, as it were. It didn't matter, they were close.
He caught sight of Harihane's back up ahead as she loudly scolded their younger sister.
Closer than he thought. He crept up on them—or attempted to—but Kikue, having apparently recently awoken to sensor abilities from what she told them, lifted her head and perked up when she saw him. He noiselessly raised a finger to his lips and she blinked, grinning cutely. Jun'ichi hid in the tree above them and watched.
"What do you think you're smiling about?!" Harihane screeched. "Do you think it's a joke?"
"No…" Kikue looked up at Harihane through her lashes, attempting to make herself look vulnerable. Even if it was a subconscious effort, Jun'ichi thought it might be a good way to catch enemies off guard.
"Every time we go into a town—every time—and you're holding the money, you get pick-pocketed!" Harihane made sure to punctuate her speech with jabs to Kikue's arm and chest. "You prance around without a care in the world, and are money walks away." That was true enough. They had all taken as much money as they could carry and pooled it.
Junji carefully calculated that it could last them for a month, if they spent sparingly. However, whenever they sent Kikue into town for supplies—she was by far the most inconspicuous—she made an easy target for thieves. The money was always retrieved, because they were never far away, and when the thief tried to turn a corner, Harihane would be there lurking.
"So no," Harihane finished with her hands on her hips, "you can't go into town to buy fruit."
"B-But—" Kikue stammered. Her head lowered and she started to sniffle.
"Cut that out!"
Jun'ichi jumped down, landing between his sisters.
"I'll take her with me into town. We'll get the fruit."
Kikue smiled, wiping the moisture that had been building behind her eyes.
Harihane scowled. "No! You're spoiling her. And!" she held up a finger, "You'll just draw attention. You think people won't remember seeing you? You stand out too much. And we don't need fruit. It'll spoil fast anyway with the way the weather's been."
Jun'ichi quickly reached out and seized Harihane's cheek, pinching firmly.
"Ouch, damnit!"
"When did you become so frugal?" he wondered.
"Someone has to be! …Now let go of my face!" she hissed angrily.
His fingers released the soft skin of her cheek, and she rubbed at the reddened mark it left. "I hate you sometimes." She grumbled.
"Well then some things never change." Jun'ichi ruffled her hair a little, just because he knew she'd hate it.
She growled in warning, like a feral dog and Jun'ichi laughed. The growling didn't stop. In fact it got louder and more realistic. He tilted his head quizzically, studying his sister. Harihane was glaring menacingly at him, but she wasn't growling. Kikue suddenly started whining.
"Kikue feels something scary…"
They both stilled, listening to the long growls in the quiet air.
"Kikue." Harihane's bones began extending from her forearms. Jun'ichi felt his bones slide up and out as his body reacted to the tension suddenly thick in the air. "Get behind us."
Kikue started to shuffle behind them as he and Harihane moved to guard her. Then she suddenly stood beside them, clutching small fists to her chest and shaking her head. "Kikue, what do you think you're doing?!"
"Kikue doesn't want to hide anymore! Nee-san told Kikue to be strong, so she will be!" Jun'ichi stared as his youngest sister struggled to make her bones extend. That had always been why their father saw Kikue as failure. She struggled to use her Shikotsumyaku and could never make use of the bones anywhere but on her forearms and wrists. A defective kekkei genkai, their father called it. A disgrace. Part of why Harihane had been cold to Kikue in the last few years was for their father's approval, he knew.
But she was trying so hard. Maybe their father would never see that, but he could. In her own time, with encouragement and some training, Kikue could catch up.
"Look, it's great you don't wanna be a cry-baby anymore, but seriously, just stay behind—"
A large shadow passed over them as something leapt through the air with a snarl. Everything after that happened almost too fast. Jun'ichi felt the air rush out of his lungs as something big, hairy and muscular charged him, knocking him to the side effortlessly. Harihane fired wildly, but the giant beast didn't seem fazed.
Head spinning, he climbed to his feet and started joining Harihane in an effort to repel the creature. It dodged all their bones, heading straight for Kikue. There was a shrill cry for help, and then he watched Kikue being picked up by a large canine-like creature that bounded away with her. She was struggling and screamed as they disappeard back into the forest.
Harihane looked at him, bewildered. "What the hell was that?! Kikue just got taken by a…a wolf-dog thing!"
"That was bigger than any dog I've ever seen to be sure. Either way, let's go!"
"If that crybaby lets herself get eaten I'm going to cut her out of that thing's belly and kill her myself!"
Junji smiled slightly. To almost anyone, it sounded like Harihane was seething. The days they'd spent traveling together gave him better insight into her feelings. Inside, she was worried for Kikue.
If there was any doubt, the fact that she took the lead in chasing after the beast that had abducted their sister erased it.
"What about these?" Reira was gesturing to a very fine set of china when Sakura looked up. "Hashi-nii likes to eat."
She was referring to pearl plates with a pattern of blue and green peacock feathers decorating the edges. It was beautiful, and likely pricey, but that wasn't the issue…"That's wedding china." Sakura giggled.
Reira turned back around so quickly her braid smacked her across the face. "Huh?! Ooh. This is harder than I thought."
"We've only just begun." Toka reminded her, "And this was your idea. With that kind of defeatist attitude I suppose a kunai set is the best we can hope to muster."
"No!" There was a vehement head shake and a crossing of arms. "We are not get him a kunai set again this year. Nuh-uh." Sakura watched her look around frantically. "We haven't tried that one yet!" she pointed at a nearby artisan shop, already walking towards it. The two women had no choice but to follow. Sakura didn't think either of them wanted to find out what would happen if Reira was left to her own devices in a place full of highly breakable craft pieces. This thought was reaffirmed the minute she set foot in the shop.
'Crystal glass!' she gasped at all the ornate pieces both finished and being worked on. Shelves lined with finished pieces of glass chalices, figurines, vases and bowls were everywhere. Reira started to dash toward something that caught her eye, but Toka grabbed her with almost frightening speed.
"I don't think so," The words came out a dark hiss.
"Can I help you ladies with anything?" The shop owner had popped up seemingly from thin air, wiping his sweaty forehead and removing his work gloves. "See anything you like?"
"It's all pretty!" Reira nodded. "But if you want us to buy something we need to see the best stuff."
"Don't be rude!" Toka shook her slightly.
The shopkeeper didn't seem offended. On the contrary, Sakura thought he looked amused. "Oh, is that so? And what's the occasion?"
"The Hokage's birthday!"
The man's eyes grew large, and he wiped his palms against his apron. "The Hokage, you say?"
"That's right. It's in only a few short days. We're…" Toka fumbled for the right word.
"Gift hunting." Sakura finished.
"Yes,"
Stroking his chin, the shop's owner turned and surveyed all his sparkling glass pieces. "I've got a nice variety here. Any one of these pieces would make a fine gift fit for the Hokage, and I would be honored to sell you anything in the shop. But…if I may be so bold, if you'd like something truly memorable, perhaps I can make a custom piece?"
"How long would that take?" Sakura asked shrewdly. "We've only got three days."
"I should be able to complete an order in that time." The owner said confidently. "Just tell me what you'd like and I'll get started right away."
Toka glanced down at Reira. "This was your idea, ultimately. Do you think he'll be satisfied with something like this?"
Reira gave her aunt a thumb's up. "Look at this stuff! It's all sparkly. Who doesn't like something shiny?"
Toka quietly snorted into her fist. "He is a man, not a crow. At any rate, yes, I think we'll take something."
"Wonderful!" he beamed.
"What do you think it should be? A glass animal?" Reira hummed in thought. "Oh no! No! A sake set!"
Sakura stared at the young Senju in curiosity. "Why a sake set?"
"Hashi-nii loves honey wine!"
A Senju Hokage with a taste for alcohol? That sounded suspiciously familiar.
"You don't…say…"
Was he as bad as his granddaughter? Was alcoholism hereditary in the Senju line? Every time she'd interacted with the Hokage, he seemed sober. Then again, Tsunade had been a functioning alcoholic for most of her adult life. Maybe he hid it well too.
"It's true that he enjoys his cups." Not even Toka was denying it! "Perhaps a sake set would be a gift that's both practical and decorative."
"Ya see? Perfect balance. Now um, can…can you let go of my gi?" Toka reluctantly let the white-knuckled grip on Reira's collar loosen.
"A sake set is a fine choice. I've got several different types of glass…"
Sakura watched absently as the glassmaker started talking to Toka in depth about different options. She was glad they'd been able to settle on a gift. Truthfully, it didn't seem like she'd really been much help, besides mediating some of their bickering…
'Birthdays…I wonder how old he'll be.' He was definitely young. Or at least she assumed he was. She knew enough to know Hashirama Senju possessed legendary restorative power in his cells, which is exactly why they were so coveted in her time.
She imagined that same innate regeneration would keep him from looking his age. At the moment, she'd place him as a man in his early twenties. Now that she thought of it…shouldn't Madara and the Second Hokage be roughly the same age range too? And Izuna…he was Madara's younger brother, so how old did that make him? Curiosity was growing in her. After all, she'd known the legendary Hashirama Senju as a long-dead relic of the past. For him to be alive, young and vibrant was still something surreal.
Madara not being hell-bent on the world's destruction was also something she continued to have a hard time wrapping her head around. Maybe, it would have been easier to give him the benefit of the doubt if she'd had prior experience with him before he had stabbed her and tried to plunge the world into an endless genjutsu.
Sasuke had attempted to kill her too, but she couldn't bring herself to see him the way she saw Madara. They had history as teammates, and no matter what Sasuke felt, there was a bond there that would forever link them all. She had no bond with Madara, just an image of him smirking as he cut through Allied Shinobi Forces. If figuring all of that out wasn't enough of a headache, the eerie eyes of the Dragon Goddess flitted through her thoughts whenever she allowed her mind to be idle. Mizuchi wasn't just haunting her dreams anymore. She was real and tangible and capable of truly frightening things.
"Whatcha thinkin' about?"
Sakura looked down to see Reira eyeing her. "Hm? A little of everything. Don't mind me." Toka was still explaining to the glassmaker what she wanted. Reira had probably gotten bored.
"So your mind's running in circles?"
"Huh?" Sakura was surprised; she hadn't thought she was being so transparent.
"Tobaa gets that face sometimes, when she says her mind can't be still."
"That's one way to put it…"
Reira gave her a sympathetic little grin. "You know what, Sakura? I'm glad you're friends with Tobaa."
Sakura glanced over at Toka. She was pointing to the kind of glass she wanted the sake set to be made out of. "Why's that?"
Reira started dragging her foot back and forth across the floor, watching it. "Well, she can be really scary and hard to get close to. But I know she wants friends, because she's a good person, and all good people want friends." She nodded at her own logic. "If she had friends who understood her like I do, I'd be happy Tobaa was happy."
Sakura patted her head gently. "You're really a good kid."
Flustered, she rubbed the back of her neck. "Ehehe! Would you mind telling Tobaa sometime?"
"Oh, I'm sure she already knows." Sakura winked.
"Ahem," They turned when they heard someone clearing their throat.
"Are you two finished?" Toka asked, not unkindly. "We'll pick up the sake set on the morning of Lord Hashirama's birthday, before the celebration gets underway."
Reira spun around excitedly. "He's gonna love this!"
"For the price, he most certainly should." Toka whispered to herself. They all exited the shop.
"I'm glad you both found something to give in time," Sakura smiled.
"Thank you for your help, Sakura."
"I-I didn't really do much. It was Reira's idea..."
"Nevertheless, if nothing else your company today was appreciated." Sakura's smile became a little more shy. "It may be somewhat short notice, but...maybe you'd like to be our guest at Lord Hashirama's birthday celebration."
Well. She definitely wasn't expecting that. 'I've never been to a Hokage's birthday party.' She didn't really think Tsunade's counted. It was more of a one-woman party and it tended to be a little embarrassing. She'd been invited the year she'd become the Godaime's apprentice. It... hadn't been what she was expecting. Shizune baked a cake, and agreed that for the special occasion, she would allow the Hokage to imbibe without scolding her.
It turned into Tsunade greedily hogging most of the cake while drunkenly crying over men being too intimidated by her to ask her out. "And what's wrong with a woman holding her ground? I keep myself in good shape and I'm the fucking Hokage...!"
And so it went, every year after that. Sakura always found herself reluctantly dragged into it, if for no other reason than solidarity with Shizune. Both understood what it meant to be the long-suffering pupils of the stubborn Fifth Hokage.
Being that Sakura now knew where Tsunade may have gotten her drinking habits from, she wasn't sure she wanted to put herself through that again. Of course she had to be polite about it.
"A-Are you sure that'd be okay? I mean it's supposed to be a private event, isn't it?" Mentally, the pinkette patted herself on the back. There. Toka was a woman of reason. She wouldn't want to risk upsetting the balance by bringing in an outsider when—
"It will be fine. Ours is a sizable clan. No one will truly notice or mind you being there."
Sakura wanted to object. She could think of one red-eyed, white-haired someone who most certainly would notice and mind.
Reira tugged one of her hands urgently. "Come on, Sakura! It's so fun, you won't regret it."
Fun wasn't the problem. She didn't have a problem with fun or parties or even with Hokages who liked wine a little too much. She didn't have a problem at all. The would-be Nidaime seemed to have one with her, though.
'I can see it now...' The whole time she'd be standing there awkwardly, trying to be inconspicuous while being all too aware of Tobirama Senju scowling a hole into the back of her head.
"I don't think I should...it really just seems like a family affair, you know?"
Reira frowned. "Friends can be family!" she protested.
The pink-haired kunoichi's resolve started to crumble. What could she say to that.
'Why am I so soft?' she groaned.
"Yeah," Sakura relented. "They can be...and I guess I can stop by. I might not be able to stay long though." she quickly added when Reira started beaming at her. The addition didn't make the girl's smile any less bright.
"I should warn you that the clan can be a lively bunch," Toka brushed some hair behind an ear. "Also, you do not have to worry about getting a gift, since you are a guest."
"I can't show up empty-handed!" Sakura gaped. "Especially not for the Hokage's birthday. It just seems really rude."
"He will understand." Toka assured.
"Maybe so, but I'd still feel better if I brought something."
"I think he'd like that. Everyone likes gifts."
"No one was asking you, Reira."
"But Tobaa...!"
"It's settled." Sakura decided. "I'll find something; don't worry about me." she found herself grinning with a thumb pointed at herself the way Naruto often did when he made a proclamation.
'Eh, it must have rubbed off...'
Sakura didn't mind though because she supposed there were worse habits her teammates could have given her.
His brother's brats were causing too much noise. Hot-blooded spars were one thing, but they screeched like angry monkeys, ready to face off for dominance. When Madara stepped out of his home and onto the porch, he was treated with a rather strange situation. Kagami was standing protectively over some small lump sprawled on the ground, in a battle ready stance.
There were two other children that Izuna was training, glaring menacingly at him.
"What's all this?"
The minute they saw him standing there, all three snapped to attention. "L-Lord Madara!"
They bent awkwardly at the waist in an improvised bow. All but Kagami, who continued to stand ready to attack. Kagami, who was usually respectful to his superiors and never caused trouble. "I believe I asked a question."
Gulping hard, the two boys looked between each other, seemingly trying to decide which one of them would speak. "W-we were just playing, and then Kagami g-got serious, and–"
"They attacked it!" Kagami hissed.
Madara was a little surprise at the heat in his voice. "Attacked what?"
"The stray that's been coming around for scraps. It was minding its own business, and they threw kunai at it. Then, they singed it with a fireball." Looking closer, Madara realized the disheveled lump on the ground Kagami was so determined to protect, had fur. Though it was hard to discern from its charred skin, he could see white fur patched with gray. It was the same cat he'd been attempting to chase away from the compound for quite a while.
'So, the rabbit-tailed nuisance finally met its match...' Grudgingly, he had to admit that the annoying creature was far more cunning than it looked. It was disarmingly charming in appearance, with its tall triangular ears and a tail more reminiscent of a jackrabbit's than a cat.
Be that as it may, Madara didn't very much care for the way it hung around idly on porch steps soaking in sunshine as if it had the right. He'd even caught it hanging around his own door more than once, and was agitated to see Naoko had left cream for it there, likely because she knew it would bother him. The woman was a good bedfellow, but she could be insufferable.
Izuna had a soft spot for the pest, adding further insult to injury. He'd even absurdly suggested he was considering keeping it, but training the next generation of Uchiha kept him busy.
While Madara considered how to deal with his furry nemesis, it would watch him smugly with mismatched eyes, mewing innocently as if it didn't understand that it was in the way. More than once, Madara had considered setting his falcon loose on it. It would serve it right. That was unnecessary now though, because from the looks of it...
"She needs help, or she'll die." Kagami moved to slowly gather the cat in his arms, and it meowed pitifully.
One of the boys apparently responsible ribbed the other playfully. "How soft-hearted can you be? Are you sure you're even an Uchiha?"
Madara's steely gaze fell on the two snickering boys, and they instantly shut up.
"I want the both of you out of my sight. And come tomorrow, rise early. I'll inform Izuna that you'll be training with me."
Their eyes widened, and then in unison their heads dropped. "Yes, Lord Madara..."
He watched them go with feint disdain. Foolish, reckless children. That's all they were. But if he allowed them to think it was acceptable to maim animals and one day they used a fireball against some civilian's yapping dog, it would reflect poorly on the whole clan. Some of the village was still equally fearful as they were awed of the Uchiha. It was natural to be wary of such a powerful clan. The actions of a few stupid children could give rise to further distrust. They would think the Uchiha raised vicious offspring that attacked defenseless animals.
"Hand it here, Kagami," Madara held out his gloved hands, and Kagami moved closer, sadness in his eyes.
"Are you going to give it to the healers?" he asked quietly.
A long sigh passed his lips. He couldn't help it. For all his skill, the boy was still so naïve. "No. I'm going to give it the painless death it deserves."
The curly-haired boy's steps drew short as he stopped and pressed the wounded cat closer to his chest. "You can't!"
"It's the most merciful thing given the circumstances. It will die suffering horribly otherwise."
"But the healers could–"
"Now you're simply being foolish," Madara scoffed. "Tell me, do you think the healers have time to tend to this pitiful cat that's clinging to life by a hair? Do you expect them to put our own clansmen aside to oversee it's recovery?"
Kagami looked ashamed. "No, I'm sorry..."
Madara felt a small amount of pity. The boy was kind-hearted, and he couldn't fault him for that. "Even if the healers took it in...it may still not work." he reasoned softly, "It may still end up succumbing to its injuries." Like Izuna almost did. Blocking out the memory, he extended his hands once again. This time, Kagami slowly started to give him the cat.
The minute it was in his arms, the vile little thing seemed to find some hidden strength, as he heard it starting to hiss quietly. Ah, yes. The feelings between he and his adversary were mutual. The cat resented that he chased it off as much as Madara resented that it kept coming back. "Don't even think about it." he warned as the cat started to open its mouth, as if it had resolved to use the last of its life force biting him.
Kagami gently stroked its head one last time and then shuffled backwards, forcing himself to look away. "I'm sorry..." he mumbled. "I should go home now..." He watched the young prodigy dart off. Yes, the boy really was far too kind.
"What did you do now? He looks like he was fleeing a demon." Madara glanced nonchalantly over his shoulder to see Izuna had finally arrived.
"He's not the only one of your students I've scared off today." he informed him.
"No? That would explain the two boys I saw not long ago. They looked like the Shinigami was coming for their souls."
Madara couldn't help but smirk proudly. If he could put half as much fear in people as the Reaper could, it had been a good day. "After they've trained with me tomorrow, they might wish he had." He turned, allowing Izuna to see the half-dead feline in his arms.
Izuna, expectedly, was shocked. "What happened to it?"
"Your students, according to Kagami. They decided to make a game of maiming the thing. Unfortunately for this mangy sack of fur, its nine lives weren't quite handy enough to save it. I told Kagami I'd give it a clean death."
Madara expected that to be the end of it. Izuna would nod grimly, say his goodbyes, and let him dispose of the cat. He was even willing to bury it somewhere afterwards, because he wasn't heartless enough to toss it out to the vultures. More than anything, though, he didn't want the smell lingering anywhere near the compound. A rotting carcass, no matter what type, smelled revolting.
All thoughts of how he was about to do a good deed by humanely putting the animal out of its misery ground to a halt when Izuna spoke. "You can't." The exact same words Kagami had said. And they weren't the desperate, high-pitch that his disciple's voice had been, but the determined, grounded voice of an adult with conviction. His brother truly meant to spare the cat.
Only, Izuna should know better. He wasn't a child. He wasn't naïve. He had seen death. He had courted it and, most recently, death had almost claimed him as its own. It was one cat. One. Cat. Why was everyone turning him into the villain? At the moment he was the only one being sensible.
"You can't possibly mean that. As you can see, this cat is dying." He lifted it up and allowed Izuna to see its burnt back, fur now missing and skin blackened. It had a laceration on the inside of one of its legs where the kunai had clearly struck it. "Prolonging the inevitable is cruelty I'm not willing to be held responsible for."
"But it can be healed."
Madara felt his nostrils flare and the vein on his forehead twitch. It was the same face he made when Hashirama said something stupid. "You and your pupil clearly have some unspoken connection. His words keep coming out of your mouth."
"He's right. And so am I. Give it here,"
Madara was beyond fed up. Now his words were coming out of his brother's mouth. "The healers won't be able to do anything for this."
"Maybe not the ones you know. But I think I know someone who can. ...I'll rephrase; I'm sure I do." How cryptic. Izuna knew a healer he didn't? Was he bluffing so he could hide the cat away somewhere? No. That would be childish, and more to the point, it wouldn't help the cat anyway. It would be letting it suffer, and between the two of them, Izuna cared more about preventing its suffering than he did.
His brother held his arms out, just like he had done with Kagami. Madara found himself reluctantly transferring the cat once again. And the animal, who had been hissing under its breath since the moment Madara picked it up, weakly started purring for Izuna. "If this mysterious healer is capable of performing the miracles you seem to think they are, perhaps I should come and see this in person."
"I don't think that'd be wise," Izuna sounded a little smug. "You'd likely aggravate the situation."
Madara was left feeling bewildered as he watched his brother poof away.
"I can't believe I said that..." Sakura complained to herself. Who else was there to complain to? Toka and Reira had gone home, and she was walking back to her own house, empty-handed. Despite her best efforts, and the list of things Toka and Reira had said he'd enjoy, Sakura was struggling to come up with an appropriate gift for the Shodai.
"He's not shishou...I can't show up with a bottle of cheap sake...and I'm pretty sure his clan's got all the good ideas covered. They know him much better..." Frazzled nerves had reduced her to this. Talking out the dilemma with herself in the middle of the streets.
Sakura wanted to leave a good impression. The Hokage was, after all, the Hokage. A good-natured and fair leader. If she was going to do it, she didn't want to do it in halves. That was why she had to find something...something that could express the gratitude for all the help and kindness he'd shown her so far, without making it too intimate and leading to a very awkward situation.
It couldn't be anything that family, friends, or a lover would give. It had to be something more...professional. Something an acquaintance could safely give. That ruled a few things out immediately.
Truthfully, she was still hesitant to show up at all. But Toka had already told her that they would walk her to the Senju compound on the day of the party. No way out of it now.
Tomorrow was another day. She could get up early, go to the market, and find something acceptable to present to the Hokage. At the party, she'd ignore and avoid Tobirama like a plague. 'I can pretend he's an enemy nin and practice my evasion skills.' Applying it to some form of training made her feel less like a coward. Shoulders slumped, she dragged herself the rest of the way to her street. By now, she'd gotten neighbors. Some were civilians, but others were shinobi. A blended neighborhood. Maybe that's where Tobirama thought she'd be most comfortable. Not like he cared about her comfort...
'Wait...isn't that...my door?' Leaned back against the door with his head tilted toward the sky, was Izuna Uchiha, with what looked like a bloody rag in his lap.
She approached in confusion and true to his shinobi instincts, he turned to her immediately before she was even within arm's distance. "Izuna-san?"
"Sakura-san," sighed Izuna. A short quiver went through her at the way he breathed her name with so much relief, like she was the only thing he'd been wanting to see all day.
"What's...what's that?" she stopped right in front of him and then crouched. A hand flew to her mouth as squinted eyes stared up at her.
"Mew..."
Izuna soothed the animal with gentle words, standing to his full height. Sakura followed, getting back to her feet. "It's in bad shape...I know it might be asking for a lot, but...would you have a look?"
Sakura didn't even think as she deactivated the seals around her house and gestured for him to enter first. Sakura ran into her bedroom, and found the trunk at the foot of her bed. In it, she kept the few items she'd arrived with. Precious things she couldn't part with that reminded her where she came from, and where she wanted to go back to. Among those things, was her tattered black shirt.
When she got back, Izuna was kneeling in the middle of the floor with the animal, cooing reassurances to it. "These are bad burns..." Sakura murmured, placing the shirt down for the Uchiha to lay the cat on. He gingerly set the poor feline down and it mewled in protest. Sakura got a flashback to her early days of training under Tsunade, when she'd be given animals to heal.
Even on days when she wasn't supervised under Tsunade, Sakura would seek out Hana Inuzuka and ask if she could help with some of her less severe patients. Soon, people in her neighborhood were bringing their pained pets to her, much to the astonishment of her parents. Sakura would even coax injured strays into letting her practice her healing techniques on them.
"Don't worry, I can heal these." She laid a glowing green hand down on the cat, pumping the soothing chakra into its system. The whining animal went comfortably lax as she got to work.
"Is she yours?" Sakura asked, never taking her eyes off the patient. If she had, she would have noticed the look of wonder Izuna gave her as he watched her at work.
"A stray that was born somewhere near the compound," Izuna explained. "When we first started building, there was a mother cat nursing her kittens that would sometimes come around. The children would feed her scraps and play with the kittens sometimes, so they became somewhat friendly. When she finished weaning them, they all disappeared, except this one. That was weeks ago now. I think this little one has been left behind."
"Hmm...so this is a really young one then. It's practically still a kitten." Sakura kept a controlled and steady flow of chakra. She was pleased to see the animal was starting to breath a little better. It even lifted its head slightly to sniff at her hand.
"Yes. I thought of taking her in...but I train the children of the clan, and it takes a lot of my attention away. I could also be called away on a mission at any time."
"And it looks like the poor thing's overstayed its welcome." He didn't bother denying it was a fire jutsu that put the kitten in the state it was.
"Madara would just as soon see it gone. I'd hate to turn it out onto the streets and hope it fairs better outside the compound."
"Well..." Sakura cleared her throat as she brought her hand away from the now mostly healed cat. Now, where the nasty burns had been was only freshly healed, pink flesh. It still would like strange until its fur grew back, but it was out of harms way now. "I think it should make it, but the little thing's probably going to be exhausted for a day or two. I'll keep it here. That way, it has a safe place until it's ready to get back on its feet. Oh!" Sakura looked at her lap to see the cat had rested its head on one of her available thighs and was purring softly.
"It certainly seems content with that." Izuna chuckled, brushing a hand across its head. "Thank you," he attempted a courteous smile, but she was looking at him strangely.
"What happened to your face?"
He looked a little bemused. "It's hereditary unfortunately, so there's no helping it."
"No," Sakura rolled her eyes with a snort. He was doing it again, as if implying being blessed with Uchiha features was a terrible thing. "I mean..." she tentatively placed a hand to his cheek and turned his face to the side. A long gash marred the pale skin. She clucked under her breath, pressing a thumb against it. Izuna flinched lightly. "You didn't feel this?"
"Apparently not..." Sakura ignored the way his warm breath tickled the heel of her palm as she pulled it away from him. "On the way here, there were dogs, and their barking scared the cat...she tried to climb to my shoulders for safety, so that might have resulted in an accidental knick." he shrugged nonchalantly. "It'll heal in a days time or two."
Sakura pressed a hand to the injured cheek again. "Or it'll heal now." Once again she concentrated healing chakra to her hand. Izuna stared into her face with clear surprise, and she smirked in amusement. "There," she pulled her hand away, and it was like the scratch had never happened. Izuna's face could go on to be unblemished another day.
He felt the skin. "Amazing,"
"Don't exaggerate. That was hardly life-threatening."
"Still, I find it amazing that these hands," He gingerly picked up the hand that hadn't been idly petting the sleeping cat to study. "Can do so much good. I admire your skills, Sakura-san."
Reflexively, she hit his arm, probably a little harder than intended, because he clutched it instantly, a betrayed look on his face. "That's your reaction to a compliment?"
She laughed earnestly. It was meant to be a playful hit. "Sorry. I forget my strength sometimes."
It was Izuna's turn to smirk. "If you'll use your healing chakra again, feel free to hit me anytime."
Sakura felt her cheeks coloring prettily. "Ehe..."
Izuna smiled, looking down at the cat again. "It's a funny looking thing."
Sakura looked too. "Now that you mention it...what's with the tail? It looks like...a bunny's? And the ears are pretty long for a cat's too..."
"I'm not sure, really. It seems like I remember the mother looking the same way."
"Huh." Sakura scratched behind its ears and it nuzzled even closer, its damp little nose tickling her bare flesh.
"I have to thank you once again," said Izuna. "I'm glad this little one's now in safe hands."
"The safest," Sakura nodded.
"I should take my leave then."
Sakura waved to him as he left, unable to get up with the purring cat snuggled against her leg. 'Did I just get a rabbit cat?'
Three days passed by uneventfully, with Sakura tending to the as-of-yet unnamed cat (she had bought it a wicker basket to sleep in and raw meat to eat). It seemed perfectly content to be with her. The first thing it did when it felt ready to get back up was follow her around the house. It was sort of nice, having the company. Not that she'd felt lonely before...she wasn't! But her new "helper" was still nice to have around.
Izuna had come back two days later to check up on the former stray from the Uchiha district to find how smitten it had become with her, and had stated that he'd have a hard time finding it a new home, when she seemed to have already decided she was staying where she was. Sakura had been reluctant at first. Her parents never allowed her to have a pet growing up, and when she got older, ninja duties kept her too busy. The closest she'd come was pet-sitting for her neighbors once or twice.
An animal was a big responsibility...but, being the soft-touch she was, it was one she took on.
There was only one issue and it had nothing to do with her new responsibility of pet ownership...
Namely, that she still hadn't found an appropriate gift and the party was a day away.
Sakura wandered the village, frustrated with herself. 'This shouldn't be so hard. I wish Ino was here...' Her friend would know exactly how to remedy her situation. Ino was excellent with these things. But, Sakura knew she was on her own. Wait...if she just thought like Ino, maybe she'd find some inspiration.
Ino would pick a gift that fit the receiver's personality, but also spelled out "Ino got this" in glittering lettering. Sakura wasn't sure about the flair, but she knew enough about the Hokage to know the defining traits that had won him the respect and adoration of the village were patience, generosity and fairness.
'Alright,' she thought, fist clenched in determination. 'I can work with this...'
"Come on Forehead, use that big brain!" Ino would jab her in the middle of the forehead. "You can't go wrong with flowers...or plants in this case I guess."
Plants...
An idea struck like lightning. Sakura lit up as she ran the streets, looking for any sort of store selling plants and flowers. Normally, she'd just head right over to Ino's but she was almost positive the Yamanaka Flower Shop wasn't an option. She didn't even know if the Yamanaka clan had moved to Konoha yet.
There had to be a shop somewhere though, Yamanaka-owned or not. If she looked hard enough she'd find it.
It wasn't the most effective way, but so be it. That was when she spotted a familiar face, holding a small hand basket. "Susumu?" she walked over to her fellow medic, smiling in relief.
"O-Oh, Sakura-san?" Susumu returned it with a timid but sincere smile in return. Sakura admired the long eyelashes that Ino would die for as the other nin blinked. She had been called Susumu a girl in her head, but really, looking at the person in front of her, she still couldn't be sure.
"You look flushed. Are you alright?"
"Huh?" Sakura patted her cheeks. "Oh yeah, totally fine. I'm just...sort of looking for something. You wouldn't know where to get plants and flowers around here, would you?"
Susumu's purple head canted to the side in thought.
"Actually I do,"
"Really?" Sakura asked in excitement. "I ran into the right person then!"
"There's a nice little nursery. It's just around the corner there, the first stop on your right."
Sakura took off at a sprint, waving behind her. "Thanks Susumu."
She wasn't even sure if the purple-haired medic had heard her. But just like she'd been told, there was a nursery, right there. If she felt like being dramatic, Sakura might start tearing up.
Luckily, she managed to keep herself composed as she walked in. A middle aged couple looked up as the chime above the door rang, greeting her.
"Hello, dear, need help or just browsing?"
"I'd love some help. I'm looking for a hardy houseplant. Something that flowers if you have it."
"Sounds like you're wanting a bonsai. We've got a couple of different varieties." The man behind the counter said. "My wife can show you the few we have right now."
Sakura followed the stout woman to the back of the nursery, where a shelf of five different bonsai sat in their pots. "Wow, they all look so different. Which one do you think is the best?"
"Well, they all bloom beautifully, you know." She nodded to herself. "But it's all up to preference. Although, some are harder to take care of than others."
"What's this one's name?" Sakura pointed to the first bonsai. There was an element of grace about it.
"We call that one a Fukien Tea bonsai, my dear. Not an easy one. Especially not for someone who doesn't have a green thumb."
Sakura didn't know if the Hokage had a green thumb, or the time to take care of a high maintenance plant. "Uh, what about the next one? It's really pretty already."
"That's the cherry bonsai. Not to be confused with the cherry blossom bonsai of course," the woman winked. "Although, we sell that species too."
"Interesting," The bonsai had delicate looking white blooms and thin branches. It was so elegant, and a touch feminine, like something out of a painting.
"Yes, they're some of our most popular. As long as you use the right soil and a large pot they'll grow like weeds."
Sakura thought about the pretty tree sitting somewhere the Hokage could admire. It seemed like it'd add a nice aesthetic to any room it was sat in.
"Oh! This one's got little bulbs on it." Sakura poked at the small ruddy bulbs hanging from another bonsai.
"They're not bulbs dear." The woman laughed. "That's actually an apple bonsai. They can bear fruit. Those will get a little bigger and ripen up. Makes a nice snack if you like the tartness. Not to mention, it'll flower in the summer and spring."
A tree that did both! Any plant enthusiast would be happy with a tree that looked pretty and produced fruit.
"And this other one? I like these gold leaves." Sakura lightly touched one of said leaves, admiring the rich autumnal shade.
"Oh, that's a maple bonsai." said the older woman, "easy to take care of, changes colors in the falls months, and really brightens up the room. Can't go wrong with that species."
Sakura stepped back and surveyed all the trees again. She hadn't really thought about just how many different species of bonsai existed. Now that she got a sampling, it was almost overwhelming. But, if it was enough to impress her, someone with minimal knowledge on gardening, it should definitely impress someone who had a Wood affinity, shouldn't it? Sakura was mentally crossing her fingers.
"It's hard to pick, but I think I'll take this one..." Sakura picked up the tree with pretty green leaves and healthy pink blossoms.
"Ooh, that's the cherry blossom bonsai. A very nice choice for you. It'll match your hair." Sakura looked down at the plant, laughing nervously.
"It's for someone else, actually, but I hope he likes it. Thanks for your help."
"Of course. Come back and pick out some more for yourself anytime you like."
Sakura paid for the bonsai, admiring it as she took it back to her house and set it down on her kitchen table. Until the big day, it could brighten up her room a little. "Now I don't have to be worried about being the laughing stock of the party...showing up empty-handed." She was proud of herself. She'd diverted a disaster, as far as she was concerned. Out of nowhere, a gray and white blur jumped onto the table, walking curiously over to the new occupant.
"Hey, get down," Sakura laughed and put the inquisitive cat back on the floor. The last thing she needed was for it to bite the plant or knock it over.
"Brawwr?"
"This," Sakura pointed to the cherry blossom bonsai. "Is off limits,"
Yeah right, like that'd stop her rambunctious little friend.
Sakura carefully picked it up and decided it'd be safest in her bedroom. Unfortunately that meant her kitten would be sleeping out in the hall, but it was only for one night.
She'd worked too hard finding the perfect thing to let it become a cat chew toy.
~ASiT~
"Ooh, that's pretty," The first thing the two Senju caught sight of as Sakura opened the door was the vibrant plant she had carefully tucked under one arm.
"Thanks," Sakura looked down nervously at the plant for what felt like the hundredth time. She had spent the night hoping she'd made the right choice. Either way, she was out of time.
"Mrawr..."
The kitten came slinking its way past Sakura's leg and she scooted it back with a foot, quickly closing the door. "Was that a kitty? When did you get a kitty?" Reira gasped.
"Sort of a long story," Sakura chuckled. "Lead the way."
"Of course," Toka took the lead and Reira skipped at her side. "I've picked up the sake set." she held up a wrapped bundle. "And I see you've found your gift as well. It's a nice one. I'm sure Lord Hashirama will find it very charming."
"Here's to hoping, right?"
"Your kimono's really pretty too, Sakura~"
Sakura looked down at herself. Today she'd decided on a turquoise kimono that left her shoulders exposed, and clipped her hair up. Not because she was trying to impress, but because it had been warmer than she was expecting for a fall day.
"I like yours more."
Somehow, Reira had managed to pull off a kimono just as yellow as her usual gi.
"I'm a little surprised to see you wearing one though,"
"It was Tobaa's idea...but at least it's comfy!"
"Better still, it fits the occasion. If allowing you to wear that...color...was the price paid for compromise, then it's one I can accept."
They had walked the distance to the Senju compound fairly quickly. But then, there wasn't much foot traffic around at this time of day. Lunch time would be soon, so likely everyone was either cooking meals or flocked into restaurants.
The entirety of the Senju clan, however, seemed to be happily clustered into the compound. As they passed different members, people gave Toka greetings and waved at an excitable Reira. Sakura got the curious stares she was expecting but at least they didn't seem unfriendly.
The celebrations will eventually spill into the courtyard for the games, but they always start inside." Toka explained.
Sakura clutched the little bonsai and followed her friend into a very elegant traditional building. The Senju clan symbol hung on banners in the hallway they walked, and naturally, it was on the backs of many Senju they passed. Even Reira and Toka, she realized, had their clan symbol on their back and sleeve respectively.
There was excited chattering as Sakura pushed her way into the crowded room after Toka slid the doors open. "Lord Hashirama must have already arrived." Toka said over the din.
"Did you see who he had with him?" a gossiping Senju was telling another.
"Yes, the Uchiha clan leader!"
"No!"
"Yes, I saw him myself."
"I can't imagine Lord Tobirama's too pleased."
"I'd call his expression the opposite of pleased."
"Tobaa?" Reira pulled on Toka's sleeve. "Did Hashi-nii really invite the Uchiha with the oni mask face?"
Toka sighed long and hard. "Yes, Reira, I'm afraid he's a big enough fool that it's entirely likely."
Sakura's jaw had dropped the moment she heard Madara Uchiha was on the premises. 'Fool doesn't cover it! It's going to be a battle ground the minute Madara and the Nidaime lay eyes on each other. They hate each other! Even I know that!'
Sakura seriously considered leaving, courtesies be damned. 'I'll give him this bonsai so all my efforts weren't in vain, and then I'll slip out.'
"Where should I set this Toka?"
"Well, normally we would line up and each present the gifts to Lord Hashirama ourselves."
Sakura blanched. "There are at least a hundred people here...that's going to take a while."
"These tend to be all day affairs."
Her soul started to slip out past her lips. 'An all day birthday party for a grown man? This whole clan is nuts.'
That was when she heard the boisterous laughter she had come to know well. 'And the birthday boy himself...' Through the hall full of people, Sakura could see Hashirama, his body bent almost in half as he leaned down for an older woman to pinch at his cheeks. He seemed to be enjoying the attention, laughing good-naturedly. Beside him, was a very uncomfortable looking Madara in a navy kimono.
And quickly surging his way through the crowd was the epitome of a very irate Tobirama. The crowd was practically tossing themselves out of the way as he made his way over to Hashirama, jerking him up by the back of his olive kimono and then dragging him away by the ear, but not before giving Madara a scathing look that was gladly returned.
"Enjoy the food everyone!" Hashirama called, even as he was pulled from the room like a child. "Oh, but save me some honey wine!" Everyone laughed.
"Will they be alright?" Sakura asked with genuine concern.
"Lord Hashirama is very resilient. Whatever Lord Tobirama throws at him, I'm sure he'll recover from it." Toka guided Reira off to the other children by the shoulders.
'That doesn't answer my question! And I hope she doesn't mean throws at him in a literal sense. In this case, it's pretty possible.'
Sakura had a feeling this whole event was already gearing up to be a hell of a night, and it was only lunchtime.
Speaking of...
Sakura wasn't normally a person guided by her stomach, but she hadn't really had breakfast. Bonsai plant still in tow, she made her way to the table containing a wide assortment of foods. The Senju clan had truly gone all out. Sakura found herself a plate and a pair of chopsticks, careful not to drop the bonsai. As her chopsticks reached for some inari-zushi, they were intercepted by another pair. Sakura pouted, going for another piece, when her chopsticks were blocked again. That was when she felt her temper starting to boil. "Hey, what gives? There's a table full of food! Do you really need to eat all the inari-zushi?"
Glaring, she was surprised when bored obsidian eyes stared back into hers. Madara Uchiha put the piece he'd stolen from right under her nose into his mouth, chewing mockingly slow. "Yes," he said after finishing. "And, in case you weren't aware, this celebration required an invitation to enter."
Sakura felt her cheeks redden angrily. How was it that this man got under her skin the way he did? Even when he wasn't being homicidal, she wanted to rearrange his face. "I. Was. Invited!"
"Really now?" Madara smirked. "By whom?"
"By a friend. You know, the same way you got in. I hope the Ni...Tobirama Senju throws you out!"
"It maybe true that Tobirama and I don't see eye to eye, but in all likelihood, you'll be thrown out long before me."
Glaring, Sakura snatched the inari-zushi roll from his plate, cramming into her mouth defiantly and storming off. Backpedaling on an afterthought, Sakura turned and took the whole platter of inari-zushi Madara had been about to eat from, satisfied by the glare she received.
Her hands were full between the plate and the bonsai she was carrying, but as soon as she found a spot to sit she could remedy that.
She didn't really know where she was going. She'd completely lost sight of Toka and Reira in the crowded room, so the ebst she could hope for was making her way into the hall without bumping anyone with the platter tray. She didn't count on almost running right into a scowling Tobirama. He looked down at her, and his left cheek twitched. "You."
"Me." Sakura sighed. This was already old.
"What do you think you're..."
"Toka invited me." Sakura said, dragging out each word. "And if the Uchiha doesn't have to leave, neither do I." Okay, so she was being a little bolder than usual, considering the Nidaime technically outranked her on several fronts.
"You'll both be leaving if I have anything to say about it,"
"Well if you did, neither of us would be here to begin with."
Tobirama's scowl could have curdled fresh milk.
"The clan indulges far too many of my brother's antics." he grumbled.
"Well, even if you don't want me here, Toka invited me as a guest, so until either she or Hokage-sama tell me I have to go, I'm staying." Purely out of defiance. Minutes before, she was contemplating leaving voluntarily. The minute Tobirama tried to force her out was the minute she knew she would stay. Quite frankly she'd had enough of men in this time period trying to steamroll her.
She had definitely not made a friend of Tobirama Senju with her attitude. But then again, as patient as she'd try to be with him out of deference for his role as a future Hokage and a founder of the village, he definitely hadn't impressed her with his attitude either, for all his exceptional feats as a shinobi.
It was funny when she thought of it. With both the Senju and Uchiha brothers. There were two brothers she got along fine with, and two she always knocked heads with. He just so happened to belong to the latter set.
"You're incredibly insolent for a guest," he snarled. "And what're you doing with that platter. It's for everyone."
"I know that!" Sakura snapped. "Tell that to Madara Uchiha."
Tobirama raised a brow. "What does he have to do with your stealing the inari-zushi from the other guests?"
"He tried to steal it all first...! So I..." Sakura paused, a blush sweeping over her face as she realized how incredibly immature she must seem. She'd taken an entire platter of food from the table, just so Madara couldn't eat it. "I...took it away so he couldn't have any."
Tobirama's face was too neutral to read, but...Sakura could swear she caught a glimpse of...amusement?
"Tobi!" They both looked behind them to see Hashirama had come bursting out into the hall, looking frantic. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for not telling you...but you know how you get about anything involving Madara. You won't even hear it. So I knew you'd explode, which you did, and I forgive you for that, but...oh, hello Sakura-san!" Hashirama smiled, waving cheerfully at her. He began talking to his brother again, then blinked, doing a double take. "Sakura-san?" he stared between the two curiously, and they watched in confusion as a slow smile formed and he...blushed. "Oh...Oh. I'm interrupting aren't I? Clearly, you had something on your mind you want to confess...so please, don't mind me."
"Lord Hokage..." Sakura began. "Um. I think you might have...the wrong..."
"I've told you repeatedly, you fool! I'm not courting this woman!"
"Tobi, you say that, but every time I see you with Sakura-san, you both look so passionate. What else am I supposed to think?"
Sakura blushed again, darker than the last few times. 'That's because we're always in the middle of arguing! But I guess...I could see how he'd walk in and get the wrong idea.'
"I-It's really not like that Hokage-sama," the weak voice that came out only made her sound all the more like she was hiding something. Damn it!
"Well, if you say so Sakura-san, I'll believe you." Hashirama grinned goofily. "I didn't know you were coming though, but it's nice to see you here! I see you're enjoying the food."
Sakura, ashamed, hid the tray behind her back. "That's not what it looks like either...a-and Toka invited me, I hope that's alright."
"Of course!" Hashirama nodded. "I would have invited the whole village, but it would have been a little too crowded, thinking about it in hindsight." he sighed wistfully. "Maybe next year."
Sakura's mood lightened at his easygoing candor. The brothers really were like night and day. "Before next year, I want to say happy birthday for this one." Carefully maneuvering, Sakura set the inari-zushi down on a nearby piece of furniture that...probably wasn't for sitting platters of stolen food on.
"T-This is for you..." she presented him with the bonsai she'd been protecting for the last day and a half. Her heart beat dully in her ears the longer he just stared at the small flowered tree. She was starting to feel like a fool. Tobirama was watching, and the Hokage didn't seem as enthused about the gift as she was hoping he'd be. It was such a bad reaction, he was speechless.
"T-That's..." Wait, he was speaking! "That's for me?" he pointed to himself innocently.
Sakura smiled unsurely. "Y-Yes?" It came out more like a question, but that was alright. "I know it's not the right order. Toka told me you're supposed to all line up and present the gifts one by one...s-so I can just wait my turn."
Hashirama stepped forward, reaching for the pot. "It's so...beautiful. It's a cherry blossom bonsai, isn't it?"
"It is. I wasn't really sure what kind of gift would be appropriate, I'm sorry."
To her surprise, Hashirama's hands reached out and completely covered hers as they both held the bonsai pot together. She hadn't really been expecting that. At all. His hands were so large! And warm, and calloused...and...was there sniffling.
"Brother. Don't." Tobirama said from somewhere off to the side.
"I c-can't help it. It's so beautiful and sweet-smelling, and it has such a resilient spirit." Hashirama gently took it from her, holding it up to his face. She wasn't really sure what to make of the bizarreness of the situation, which got stranger with every minute. One minute he was silent and now he was...weeping. Over a bonsai. At least he liked it.
"I'll cherish this. And every time I look at it, I'll remember who gave it to me," Sakura found herself forced to look away when Hashirama tried making eye contact. The amount of earnest emotion was so intense it was embarrassing. Sort of like when Lee and Gai embraced and cried, but somehow a weepy First Hokage holding a bonsai made for a more endearing picture. Sakura found herself blinking back a few tears too. 'This makes no sense! What am I even crying for?! Ugh. Earnest emotions. Who needs them.'
"W-Well I'm glad you liked it," What else could she say.
"I love it." Hashirama suddenly swept her into a hug, and for a few minutes she was pressed embarrassingly close to his chest.
He hardly realized how uncomfortable she was. Interacting with the First Hokage, she'd noticed what a tactile person he was. Touching was second nature. Sakura turned, her lips quivering in embarrassment and her face hot, to see Tobirama standing there with a gleeful twinkle in his eyes.
'That asshole's enjoying this!' He wouldn't be for much longer. Before the night was over, she'd get him back.
If I made mistakes in the lower half of the chapter I'm sorry. It's late and I wanted to get this wrapped up so I'll go back and reproof at some point in the...future. Yeah. The future.
Whereas roe is the food Madara hates the most...inari-zushi is his favorite, and Sakura took it away just because. Petty Sakura is the best Sakura~
Types of "yakiniku" (broad term for Japanese barbeque/grilled meat) eaten in this chapter:
Rosu- this refers to beef loin and chuck slices
Misuji-beef shoulder
Sakura played it safe with some chicken, but there are many more types from many different parts of quite a few animals. XD
And whoot, the Kaguya sibs have returned!
As far as the brief exchange Reira, Sakura and Toka had about "Yin Release", well, out of all the chakra nature transformations, Yin/Yang is the most interesting to me. So in the future I plan to delve a little deeper into that, both with canon facts as well as a few headcanons.
Mizuchi was supposed to be in this chapter, but so much was already happening and it ended up so long, I'll save her for the next chapter.
Big thank you to SemiraBlake for your idea about the Akamichi showing up, and I still love the petty spirit tree. That's exactly why I thrive off reader interaction.
Outside that, I have so many headcanons in general. So. Damn. Many.
In this chapter particularly, there are quite a few.
Sakura is totally the kind of person who stress-thinks outloud. ...I'm not even sure that's a proper headcanon...she does that in canon, now that I think about it?
Hashirama's drinking is a long-held headcanon of mine, though. I think unlike Tsunade he can hold his alcohol. Canon says the Senju made "rare honey wine" (not sure what made it "rare"?) and often gifted it to allies for special occasions. I guess it's funny to imagine the whole clan moonlighting as wine-makers, as part of the jack-of-all-trades philosophy. Imagine if Hashirama was the one who started it. He doesn't drink in his office like Tsunade, but put a perfectly good bottle of sake in front of him at any type of social function and he won't turn it down. Also, he gifts this famous Senju honey wine, but then he pressures the person into drinking it on the spot, so he can have an excuse to drink with them. Basically, he's "that guy" who always gifts alcohol. No matter what the occasion.
I have another pretty serious headcanon about the Mokuton and how it effects Hashirama's relationship to nature, even though it was portrayed in a comical light here. I genuinely believe Hashirama could probably "talk to" plants. A plant love doctor if you will. As my friend said after I explained Hashirama to him, "Ooh, so he's Plant Zaddy". Plant Zaddy!Hashirama understands how plants work. The ultimate green thumb. They're his..."friends". On top of being an incredibly extra individual, Sakura gifted him with a new friend, which is why he cried. *cue awww's* I think the whole clan's likely a little extra too, though (even though Tobi would never admit it). They realize their leader is an adorable man-child and they love them some Hashi (who could blame them?) so ever since he became clan leader they throw him the kind of birthday party's Butsuma deprived him of. And Hashirama eats that shit up.
The last headcanon used here was, Hashirama would have totally tried inviting Madara to his birthday parties as a kid, if he'd had them. Now that they're all living in the village, there's no way he's going to pass up the opportunity, no matter what Tobirama has to say about it.
The cat Sakura saved, her new little companion, is based somewhat off my own cat, who is a Japanese Bobtail. They're weird animals, really. Dogs in the forms of cats, but with the back feet and tails of rabbits. If you're not familiar with them, look them up; there are a lot of cool stories/facts about them pertaining to Japan and other parts of Asia. Obviously "Asia" doesn't exist in the Naruto verse, per se, but we all are already aware that Kishimoto drew heavily from his own culture, Japanese culture, among other things. So even though it'll never be expressly said, the cat is a Japanese Bobtail in both appearance and personality.
More headcanons to come~ Serious tones come back next chapter. Thanks for reading.
