As this "filler" chapter falls right on the cusp of the next arc, I would like to say that quite a bit of important things happen here. Not the least of which being that the building mutual ~chemistry~ continues to be explored. I think it serves as a nice padding considering the intensity coming up in a big way when next arc hits.
Unlike some of the other activities he had tried, there was instant familiarity being there in the woods with a raptor perched on his gloved arm. Falconry. A favorite hobby of his since childhood, he'd been told. Madara readily believed it.
Deep in the still woods with the cold air nipping at his face and the ground crunching beneath his feet, contentment sank into him. The bird on his arm turned her attention to him, her feathers ruffling in anticipation.
With a few experimental flicks of his wrist he finally thrust his arm up into the air and she flew free with a sharp cry. Izuna and Haruno, both carrying cages containing two more birds, came over to watch her go. She cut through the choppy winter morning with beautiful swoops, liberated and in her element.
"Do you think she'll find anything?" Haruno asked.
Izuna didn't take his eyes off the sky, even as the bird occasionally bobbed out of sight. "Haia's a great hunter, above the average red-tailed hawk. I don't think Madara's raised another bird who has such dead-on precision."
As Madara silently listened to his brother explain about the animal he had apparently raised and bonded with, moments from the past slowly passed through his head.
He had trapped Haia when she was barely more than a fledgling and instantly known she would make an excellent partner. She'd been aggressive in the trap, trying to bite and claw when he'd reached gloved hands to pull her out. Watching her soar through the air reminded him of countless hours spent gaining her trust, of trekking through the woods on day-long hunts and of the primitive bond between a hunter of the air and one bound to the ground. "I remember." He said slowly.
The calmly talking voices grew hushed, Izuna turning excited eyes his way. "You do?" He set down the cage containing another one of Madara's raptors. Tama the peregrine falcon. The quiver of arrows on his back rattled slightly.
"That was fast." Haruno murmured. Then, she smiled at Izuna. "It looks like your hunch was right."
"When you suggested immersion as a way to jog his memories, I thought that falconry might do the trick." Izuna returned her grin, somehow doing a good job of coming across humble despite clearly basking in the praise.
Keeping one eye on the skies for the cue from Haia, Madara watched the two who had accompanied him on the hunt from his peripheral vision, their easy camaraderie grating.
They were both supposed to be there to support him. Izuna as his brother. Haruno as his ever reluctant but duty-bound medic. Throwing himself into an activity that he enjoyed was a likely way to stimulate old memories without causing undo stress, or so Haruno had said. She claimed she'd come along partially to observe, and yet if she was observing anything, it certainly wasn't him.
"Having you both along is pointless if you're going to be so easily distracted."
Their moment interrupted, they finally managed to tear their eyes away from each other. It was as if they had forgotten he was there up until that point. Engrossed in their own world.
Madara bit back a sigh. Clearly there was something there, possibly something that preluded him losing his memories. And despite what others might feel, he wasn't truly bothered by the notion. It would've been considerate to accommodate his presence by including him, though. The piercing cry of a bird in pursuit of prey shot through them, spurring them into action.
Already high in the treetops, it didn't take long to locate his trusted partner where she flew in circles. A plump winter hare was zigzagging as it attempted to get back to its burrow. Haia wasn't inclined to let it, diving down with talons out, slashing at it once, twice, flipping it onto its back with the third blow and then pinning it down.
Her impressive wingspan was spread as she hunched forward over her catch, waiting. Madara joined his bird on the ground, Izuna and Haruno following his lead. Haia peeked cautiously over her shoulder at them, but didn't release her prey. Its foot twitched, and he could see red on its silvery coat where her talons had caught it.
Crouching next to his raptor, Madara eased a gloved hand underneath the bird to tug the hare out by its back legs, the action like second nature. He trusted the bird not to attack, and she trusted him enough to finally rise and flutter a short distance away.
The hare's glossy eyes were heavily dilated and, with a hand at its neck and a sharp twist, its body went limp. When he raised it up by its nape, Izuna stepped forward in approval. "That's a fat one that'll make a nice stew." He tilted his head in thought, a taunting smirk starting to spread. "You do remember how to skin, don't you?"
"Don't worry about my skills." Madara untied the sack he'd brought along and dropped the fresh kill into it. "The real question is, are the bow and arrow to impress Haruno or do you actually intend to do some hunting of your own?"
At that, Haruno glanced between them, while his brother's smirk only grew. "Is that a challenge, brother?"
"If you take it as one." Madara couldn't say exactly what had come over him, but adrenaline was pulsing hot through his blood. If Izuna truly wanted to help him recover bits of his memory through the sport of falconry, he may as well be a more active participant.
"I think it should be simple enough to tell who the better huntsman is. All we need to do is see who brings back the most game." Izuna reasoned. "I'll even allow you to use your birds. It would be a shame if they didn't get to participate when we brought them all the way out here."
Madara's eyes narrowed as he saw Tama shuffling restlessly inside his cage. He undid the latch and the young falcon leapt free without hesitation, flying to land on his shoulder. "I suppose I can't object."
His last bird, a young goshawk Izuna had recently gifted him on his birthday, watched the happenings around him curiously. The baby wasn't quite old enough to join the hunting, but he had figured early training was important and brought it along.
"I guess I should watch this little guy. He can't stay in a cage by himself and I'm not participating in this." Haruno stated, kneeling in front of the cage to unhook the latch.
Riku as he'd named him, trilled unsurely, glancing around for immediate dangers and then wobbling forward on clumsy feet. The kunoichi gathered the goshawk hatchling into her bosom and the bird settled quickly. Madara watched, resolving to train it as soon as he found time. He couldn't have a hunting bird spoiled like a house pet.
"Sunset is in a few hours." Izuna noted, staring at the sky through the naked branches of the trees. "That should be plenty of time."
Unable to help himself, he gave his brother a slight sneer. "You'll need all the time you can get if you want any chance to prevail."
Izuna's features were lit with amusement, a light grin slowly gracing his lips. "I don't know about that," he shot Haruno a fond look she seemed to miss as she stroked Riku's downy feathers in wonder. "I'm feeling lucky today."
Although he hadn't been in anyway oblivious before, understanding blasted through Madara now. "Then enjoy your luck while it lasts."
A sound he didn't realize his lips knew how to make left his mouth, and his hunting partners took to the air. He followed them up into the tree tops once more, leaving his brother and the girl they both expressed a keen interest in down on the ground.
She followed Izuna in the opposite direction Madara had taken off in. The sting of the cold watered her eyes slightly, but she never lost sight of the leather quiver of arrows peeking from behind the waterfall of his raven's wing hair as they leapt.
For a while they went on in silence, Izuna seemingly focused on finding a decent spot to begin the hunt, and she with pressing thoughts of her own to occupy her mind.
This friendly but unyielding competition between the brothers…Sakura would much rather see them interacting like this than they had been at the compound on that tense day Madara was injured. Like true brothers.
A dull throb of warmth settled into her chest as she considered the cruel man full of hatred she had seen what felt like a lifetime ago, during the Fourth Shinobi War. Back then she could never see herself willingly spending time with such a monster, as well as the brother she had never known he'd had.
But this Madara still had the capacity for emotions she had once deemed him incapable of. Though buried at times behind a veneer of arrogant dominance well befitting his reputation in her world and this one, he wasn't without his softer side, a fact she still grappled with accepting.
With everything at stake, Sakura wasn't sure she could afford to.
Choosing to distract herself, she glanced down at the baby animal in her arms. She had been there when Izuna presented Madara with the little goshawk. Sometime before his brother's birthday, he had left the village briefly in search of a gift and, according to him stumbled on a man selling young raptors that he had suspected were taken from the wild too soon under unscrupulous circumstances.
Generally, from what Izuna told her, falconers trapped and used birds who were already independently hunting. But he'd ended up rescuing the hatchling Madara called Riku.
He was a needy, inquisitive thing with a nature sweet enough to offset the slight ugliness of his patchy appearance from the feathers he hadn't finished growing. As her feet left the ground with every solid jump, Riku stretched his neck and spread his stubby wings as if pretending he was flying under his own power.
Sakura had never given a considerable amount of thought to birds of prey, except that they were highly valuable and reliable animals when a message needed to be sent over a distance. Actually finding them endearing though…well, not so much. Less so after the incident in which Madara's overzealous falcon had attempted to turn Usamaro into its next meal. Riku might be just the raptor to convert her though.
"I'm sorry," Izuna called suddenly from over his shoulder. Sakura's attention was startled off of the hatchling the size of a plump hen, and onto the man she had been quietly following.
Come to think of it, it might have been better if she'd gone after Madara. He was the one she was meant to observe for signs of memory improvement. She hadn't expected the brothers to choose to split up to compete against each other, in her own defense.
Sakura had thought she would be able to stay in the background as they hunted together. Going with Izuna had just…happened. And Madara looked like he was fine with the idea of it just being him and his birds. More than likely he'd have a snide comment about her getting in the way prepared.
Not at all privy to the content of her thoughts, Izuna carried on. "I should have spoken up sooner about where we're headed…but we're approaching the spot I wanted to try first. I don't come out as often as Madara and some of the other hunters in the clan, but I'm confident I'll find just as much if not more than him,"
"You're really getting into this," Sakura chuckled.
Izuna scratched at his head, not bothering to deny it. "I know this was something to help Madara reconnect to his old self, but I guess being out in the woods with the potential of a good winter hunt was bound to stir up some adrenaline."
'I guess even mild-mannered Uchiha are hot-blooded sometimes.' she mused. Izuna had turned around to watch where he was going. Sakura thought of the times when she had caught those glimpses from him. 'That's…good to know.'
If both of them were enjoying this activity then all the better. It was only bound to help in the exercise of immersion therapy. However, seeing the eagerness and instinct with which Madara went about falconry brought her back to something she had thinking of more as of late.
"I don't suppose whatever you're thinking about is something you'd be willing to share?" Izuna asked, his voice closer than before. Sakura whipped her head to the side, finding he had slowed to the space right next to her. She'd hardly noticed! Talk about embarrassing.
Riku wasn't shy about squawking to show he'd been startled, squirming around in her grip. "You noticed?" Sakura mumbled, annoyed by how transparent she seemed to be around him. "Of course you did."
"I'm…sorry?" Izuna tried, clearly confused.
"It's not your fault," she clarified. "It's just that I've been thinking for a while that as Madara grows more comfortable he's more like himself, isn't he? W-Well I think so; you'd know better than me."
"I'd say that's fair," Izuna replied. Both of them had slowed to moving almost idly through the trees, the sense of urgency to their speed nearly gone. "There are still moments where he doesn't respond to things quite like he used to, but he feels more like the brother I've always known every day. But that's a good thing." One of his eyebrows lifted in consideration. "Or have you noticed something that's cause for concern?"
Sakura sucked in a deep breath of winter air for what she was about to explain. "It's not him. His recovery is going fine, maybe even slightly better than expected all things considered. He's frustrated by limitations but that's not unusual. It can't feel right not to know little things about yourself that should come naturally. It's just I was thinking…"
"You were thinking?"
"Maybe we should stop…telling Madara things about himself that aren't true." Sakura worried her bottom lip, her eyes flickering to his. "It was fun at first, but now—"
"I understand," Izuna said. "I've been thinking the same thing. One or two harmless claims are one thing, but I see now how much frustration he's dealing with in all this. We shouldn't try to amuse ourselves at his expense."
Sakura beamed, nodding vigorously. "Right! And, oh!" Her voice dropped as she placed a hand on his arm. "Is that a quail?"
Down below, a plump quail was pecking at the ground, scrounging for food the best it could. Despite bugs being harder to come by with the cold weather, the state of the bird's body made it hard to think it'd missed a meal.
Wordlessly, Izuna crouched, notching an arrow and aiming his bow. Angling it just so, he let it fly, and Sakura hardly had time to track the projectile's path as it lodged itself into the chest of the bird. Izuna grinned her way, starting to make his way to the forest floor. She followed, staring on in wonder as he took out a sack just like the one Madara had placed the hare in, and bagged the quail.
"How'd you do that from so far away?"
The man glanced up from tying the bag, then humbly averted his eyes. "It wasn't that impressive of a shot. And it's nothing like what my mother could do."
"She taught you archery?"
Izuna nodded, huffing a laugh. "Among other hunting and survival skills. She gave Madara his first raptor and taught him the importance of the tradition of falconry. She tried to teach all of us how to be falconers but…Madara took to it the best. I had more of a knack with the bow right from the start, and my…my younger brother Sanna was the best at working with a hunting knife. He usually handled skinning and gutting, because he was the best at not damaging the hides we kept to tan. It's a shame she didn't get the chance to teach the twins…" He stood up with his bow, sack in hand.
Sakura was fascinated, though not at all surprised to hear the late Uchiha matriarch had been such a self-sufficient woman and a skilled huntress to boot. "She sounds so impressive."
"She was. Whether it was politics, sports or fighting, she was never the kind of woman who stood by and let men overshadow her." Interestingly, a faint pink tint colored his defined cheeks, and Sakura wondered if maybe Izuna was getting cold. "I think she would've really approved of you."
Caught off guard, Sakura nearly dropped poor Riku. The chick warbled to express his displeasure. "R-Really, what makes you think so?" she asked.
The Uchiha turned slightly, eyes gazing off in the distance. "It's just…something I feel. You're intelligent, a talented medic, able to deal with Madara's moods, and strong-spirited. That last one especially would've impressed her."
Sakura slowly felt the temperature of her own cheeks rising. She couldn't say why the thought of his deceased mother—who by the sounds of it was her own woman in every way—finding her acceptable was such an internal relief. But if Izuna thought she could've won her approval, then she would take it as high praise.
"Anyway," he continued, "I think maybe we should stay on the lookout for more animals. If time runs out and this is all I've gotten, Madara won't ever let me hear the end of it."
"Sounds like him." He had a very pointed but effective way of rubbing things in that wasn't at all subtle. She bent at the knees, ready to head into the trees so they could continue to the spot Izuna wanted to hunt, but he shook his head. "Here should be far enough. The place I had in mind is only a short walk onwards to the southwest."
So walk they did, mostly in a companionable silence, Izuna occasionally signaling to her to stop when he spotted fresh quarry.
Not everything they came across was hunted, as Izuna was adamant that if the animal was too scrawny to provide ample meat, then ending its life would be pointless.
Sakura found it admirable that he showed that level of consideration and restraint. Two fat ground-squirrels joined the first catch in his bag, impressing her once more that even in the midst of winter, some animals were plump and thriving.
For a while the sporadic weather leading up to the shift in season was cause for concern. Nature had to reestablish its delicate balance somehow, and it had done so just in time.
Sakura found herself thinking of what the weather might be like back home. Back in her own time. It was close to a new year, and she found herself no closer to reuniting with her friends and family than when she'd arrived—although Mizuchi might beg to differ.
As days marched on, and especially as the prospect of facing a brand new year completely isolated from everything and everyone familiar dawned, Sakura felt the niggling sadness that she had pushed away growing deeper.
It wasn't something she had shared with anyone, not something she felt she could share. Who would understand? Relocating to a "new village" and missing her old one was an understated, half-true summary of her problem. One many villagers could likely sympathize with. No one, Sakura was sure, had been displaced through time though. That was an experience she alone had, and that compounded her loneliness.
So lost in her own head, it took her several moments to realize Izuna was trying to get her attention. "I-It's not what it looks like. I know exactly what you said." It was a bold bluff, and one she knew instantly he could see through.
Izuna held a branch aside for her as she walked by. "I know I'm the one doing the hunting," he sighed, "so this doesn't require your undivided attention, but it feels like sometime during this walk I looked back and only half of you was there."
Sakura choked on a gasp. He was so adapt at reading her, and no matter what he saw, he consistently offered patience and a listening ear. What came next wasn't hard to guess.
"Sakura," he stopped abruptly, "You're entitled to the privacy of your thoughts. But if you're holding it in because you feel like you have to, you know—"
"It's not a big deal," She said in a rush. The concern on his face visibly growing made guilt slam through her chest. "It didn't start as one." Sakura amended quietly. "It's just that a lot's changed for me since I came to the village. It hasn't all been bad. Most of the time it's been…about as good as I could expect it to be, all things considered. I have a home to defend, and connections."
She paused just to see if he was with her so far, and his deep eyes remained attentive so she pushed on. "I-It might sound callous, but I didn't say anything sooner because I didn't think it was something anyone would fully understand."
Her shoulders slouched, the weight of depression and defeat making them tense. Half of her expected Izuna to admonish her, say something along the lines of how it was vain of her to think she was the only one having problems adjusting, when his clan had gone from facing the Senju in mortal combat to living with them as neighbors.
Sakura could feel the heat of him as he moved closer, nothing on his face signaling aggression, passively or otherwise. "Does this have anything to do with Mizuchi and her mission? Is that why you think no one could understand?"
Sakura's pupils blew wide, stepping back to really drink Izuna in. He had gotten as close to the truth as he possibly could have in a single guess. At this point it was fair to entertain the thought that maybe he was secretly tuned in to her emotions on some bizarre level.
"Y-Yes…" she responded timidly. "You could say that."
"I…I can't say I completely understand the situation, but it's reasonable for you to feel that way."
Riku, who had nearly fallen asleep, stared blearily up at them when Sakura hefted him higher under one arm.
The Uchiha's words were so infused with sincerity, Sakura felt supernaturally compelled to tell him more. "I've gotten so many people involved in this who shouldn't have been, including you. And it gets lonely sometimes, y-you know." Her vision became blurry at the edges, but she held firm.
"The new year is only a few days away, a-and I guess it just hit me that I wasn't dealing with any of this the same time last year," The first tear seized on her moment of weakness, streaking down her cheek before she could stop it.
Gentle fingers swiped it away. "Spend the new year with me."
Sakura stilled, and his touch disappeared as he withdrew his hand. "S-Spend it…with you?" Were things different in this bygone era? She and Ino often daydreamed about the holidays and having significant others to share them with growing up.
Ushering in the new year with Izuna, just the two of them, didn't sound unappealing but it also sounded closer to intimate than she was sure how to feel about.
Izuna gulped audibly as his own words registered, staining his cheeks a violent red. "Spend it with us!" he rectified. "There are…always festivities at the compound on the last night of the year. Fireworks, food and games. This has been a big transitioning year for us too, so everyone's going to be in a really celebratory mood. Naoko might get a little less carried away if you're there." he explained. "I think you're a grounding influence of sorts on her."
Sakura unleashed the breath she'd been holding, understanding slowly penetrating the fog his offer had brought to her mind. Joining the Uchiha clan in celebration, as a guest and a friend. That was…a lot less pressure.
Things hadn't gone as bad as she had imagined when she visited for Madara's birthday. She'd gotten sweet (in the literal sense) revenge, happily partaking in what desserts were served. She'd spoken with Naoko, which was never dull. And she'd had her fill of rich drink, courtesy of the Hokage providing it for the event. Perhaps most significantly, Madara had accepted the obligatory gift she had presented him without much fuss.
The epidote bracelet, a marbled green chain of beads meant to sharpen memory, was slipped onto his wrist without snide remark. The sake had probably addled her memory somewhat, but there was almost, dare she think, silent reverence at the gesture.
So, at the very least she knew she hadn't worn her welcome too thin with the famous clan. Trying to form the appropriate words in response to the thoughtful offer left her at a loss. Izuna opened his mouth as if to assure her she was free to decline, but a sudden pile of snow plopping unceremoniously onto him from above stopped him cold.
It sat in a mound on his hair and dripped down his face. Sakura couldn't contain the shocked giggle in time, peeking up to see a dark flash as Madara streaked by in the branches above them, having dislodged the accumulated snow from one with his movement. "Feel free to concede defeat at any time," he called down.
Izuna shook the powder from his head and wiped a hand down his face. "After that declaration of war you just issued?" he fired back. "Don't you have your own hunting grounds?"
Unfazed, the elder brother went on his way with his birds circling overhead. "I did just hear you call this war didn't I?"
Sakura listened to their banter, incredulous at the turn it had all taken. She hadn't even gotten a chance to answer Izuna before he was taking off after Madara. She looked down at the sleepy bird in her arms, shaking her head a little.
Some strange afternoon it had turned out to be…
ASiT
Sakura wasn't exactly sure why they were insistent she return to the compound with them, 'at least for a while'. Something about how they would be determining the true winner there and preparing the catches.
She watched them each slowly take out what they had from their respective bags and place it down to compare. Naoko sat across from her at the table, sipping tea, her brow ticking up every time one of their piles grew.
"It's nice that you boys bonded over a friendly brotherly competition, but did it occur to either of our esteemed heirs that this is too much meat?" she scoffed under her breath. "Never thought I'd say something like that."
Sakura smiled a little, drinking some of her own tea. Naoko had been quick to usher her inside with the others, and offer her a cup before she so much as cast the brothers a look. And, as it turned out, she brewed an incredible pot of fresh tea.
"After we finish proving that I've won, we'll set aside what we're keeping for ourselves, and then give whatever is left over away." Madara reasoned.
Tipping her chin at the two piles, Naoko smirked. "I count an even amount on both sides. Maybe instead of taking a victory lap you can settle for a more subdued, conciliatory handshake."
Madara's eyes narrowed, and Sakura could tell he was mentally counting for himself. When he discovered that his friend was indeed correct in that he and Izuna had managed to tie after everything, his jaw ticked and he crossed his arms derisively.
"This is probably the best possible outcome," Izuna chimed, "Madara is a sore loser and a sore winner. Either way we would have been hearing some form of complaint or bragging for the rest of the week."
"I'm feet away, Izuna, and my ears have never worked better."
The pair left the room, Madara still claiming that the results were too inconclusive to say he had lost, and Izuna saying he would tell Hikaku and some of the others to come and get some of the game for themselves. When the door shut and it was just the two of them, Sakura glanced up from her teacup to find Naoko's beautiful eyes trained on her.
"What?" she asked, already suspicious.
The Uchiha took her time with another long sip of her tea. She removed the cup for her lips with a deep, contented sigh that made Sakura want to roll her eyes. "I just find it satisfying you're ingratiating yourself into the day to day workings of the clan so well. It'll make adjusting to life as a member go much more smoothly."
Her fingers became clammy around the cup, and Sakura accidentally inhaled a larger gulp than she'd meant to, scalding her throat in the process. Naoko was no help, simultaneously offering her napkins to clean the spill with and laughing heartily. "Is there never a minute where what you think gets processed and possibly appropriately filtered from what you say?"
Sakura dabbed at the spot that had resulted from the liquid dribbling down her chin and onto her kimono.
"What fun would life be if I rationalized like that?" she gave a convincing pout, complete with lip quiver. "Consider my point, if you will. I did say I would help you marry into whatever clan you liked. Naturally that meant I'd offer up my own as well."
The pinkette made sure her flat stare spoke for herself. Yes, the Uchiha had been gracious toward her in their inclusion of her lately, but that was simply explained by her connection to their clan leader, second-in-command, Naoko, and…
'Oh…'
"As kind," Sakura began, ignoring the dark-haired woman's wide grin, "and unnecessary as the offer is, don't fashion my wedding kimono anytime soon."
Snickering, she seized and bit into one of the anpan in the basket on the table between them. "You can't blame me for taking an interesting, Sakura. You have been spending quite a bit of time among Izuna and Madara, in one way or another, for months."
"A-As a mission partner and a friend!" She defended, cheeks going up in flames at the implication there could be…more. Right now the relationship was…complicated in comparison to what it could be, but it wasn't that kind of complicated.
"Teasing aside, is there anything you'd like to tell me, or any questions you'd like answered?" Naoko licked the sweet bean paste from the corner of her mouth, then sucked four of five fingers on one hand. "You know, Naoko-neechan is here to help."
Sakura fidgeted, eyeing the tempting sweet treats she'd been diligently trying to ignore. She had indulged enough after…that.
But well, what was a little more indulgence when life was short and wrought with complications? Snatching up the first roll her fingers touched, Sakura bit into it with a teeth-vibrating moan.
'Maple custard,' she thought blissfully. Naoko had provided an assortment, and suddenly trying every flavor on the table didn't seem like such a horrible idea. Or, all things considering, maybe it was a horrible idea, just not for reasons pertaining to her waistline.
With warm tea and fresh sweets in her belly, the information came forth steadily. "Everything had been alright, I guess," She chewed slowly at her anpan and swallowed even slower. "I thought I understood how I felt about my situation in the village. Lately I," she furrowed her brows and sighed in frustration. "I wonder if I was just fooling myself."
"Ah," Naoko twirled a lock of hair that had fallen against her face. "You do strike me as the type that forces herself to adapt a little too quickly for the sake of not burdening others."
Sakura rocked forward in her seat. "W-What?"
"I'm saying you're forcing yourself to be alright with something that clearly makes you uneasy, or at the very least more exhausted than you'd like to admit." She poured herself more tea and took a calm sip. "Am I right so far?"
Sakura reached for another anpan, then stopped herself, seriously considering the assessment. "You…could be onto something."
Naoko hummed appreciatively. "Twenty-five years ago, my parents named me Naoko. They used the characters they felt would be most befitting of their ideal daughter. In accordance, I should be both submissive and obedient. Unfortunately, the only attribute I have that served their goals was beauty." She finished with a low laugh and a momentary gleam of something dark twinkling behind her eyes.
Sakura stared at the woman who if anything was chaotic energy wrapped in human flesh, her eyes bulging.
The expression caught on her face had the Uchiha across from her bursting into raucous laughter. "Yes, imagine the surprise and sheer disappointment when I grew up to be neither of those things. But instead of adapting to their expectations, the expectations of the entire clan, I chose what I felt was more important. My own survival. I don't think I'll ever regret it."
"I think it's pretty obvious how much you like shocking others at this point. You had fun messing with Toka at the hot springs." Sakura mumbled, finally giving into the urge to have another snack, though eating more carefully.
Naoko didn't look at all ashamed or repentant. "Maybe I did take that too far, but my only suggestion to you would be that you think about what others want from you, and what you want from yourself. Draw your own line, Sakura. Living up to expectations are only worth it if they're your own." She popped an anpan in her mouth, chewing loudly.
Sakura was surprised at how much the advice resonated. After all, since arriving in the past she had been doing what Mizuchi had told her, reluctantly but thoroughly nonetheless.
She had worried more over the ripple affect her experiences had on others than the strain it was putting on her own mind. Allotting herself only one breakdown in a period of several months seemed strong-willed and rational at the time, but there could be truth to what Naoko was getting at.
She wouldn't serve anyone any good, least of all herself, by ignoring her feelings. Nothing said she had to be quite as free-spirited as her new Uchiha friend, but finding her own balance was important.
"I see it's sinking in," Naoko scooted back to stretch her legs out. "But I don't think my work is done yet. There's still something I think we should discuss while it's just us two."
Feeling calmer somehow, Sakura tilted her head in genuine bewilderment. "Uh, o-okay…"
"Does this always happen," Slender fingers brushed over her cheek, bulging with food, "Whenever you're feeling…frustrated? In any capacity?"
Sakura coughed roughly to dislodge the piece of food that had almost gotten stuck. She sucked down more of her cooled drink, glaring at Naoko all the while.
"Did I get it wrong? I thought it was delicately put, considering my usual line of inquiry." Naoko feigned hurt, hand to her own cheek.
"You're not supposed to unexpectedly pass comment on that." Sakura accused.
"Is that the way it works," Naoko winked. "I thought I was generous to turn the other cheek that day. You were far more transparent then I'm sure you would've liked,"
Sakura groaned, "Do you think they noticed?"
"Who can say," she shrugged, moving a lock of hair from her eyes. "Either way, the frustration was palatable at the time, and it left me wondering if you'd holed yourself inside with a lonely table set for one because that's the only way you were handling it."
"I c-can't do this!" Sakura squeaked. "I know it's just us, but, I can't!" Firm hands pried her own away from the tight suction they had over her eyes. Slowly, she cracked one open to find Naoko staring at her with nothing but encouragement.
"I'm not advocating you do anything drastic," she soothed. "But if what I witnessed was in anyway tied to shame, I simply thought you'd take comfort in knowing some of us are happily shameless, and it hasn't killed anyone yet. That I know." Naoko gave her hands a squeeze and then dropped them to tap thoughtfully at her chin, "Loss of blood, however—"
"I get the picture!" Sakura interrupted. "T-The hot springs happening was so much…"
"Stimulation?" she purred.
"You don't have to say it like that, but yes," Sakura finished her cup of tea, and reached to pour herself more. "I got caught up in my own head for days thinking about it, and then worrying if I was allowed to think about it."
"People do more than think about it all the time," the older woman tutted, "But your restraint is commendable. A little strange in the way you express it, but commendable. On the other hand Sakura, fantasizing is a natural part of attraction." Naoko traced a finger sensuously around the rim of her cup and Sakura was unwillingly transfixed.
"I…I know." She gulped.
"Even acting on those fantasies when you're alone can be, let's say, its own fulfillment if you know what you're doing." She picked up her cup, puckered her full lips, and blew at the steam.
"I know," she repeated, her voice weak and throaty. She'd…well no one could judge her unvoiced thoughts so there was no shame in admitting she had wanted to. But every time trembling fingers drifted, she jerked them away with a cringe.
"Do you?"
"Are you mocking me?" Sakura squared her shoulders, not in the mood to be teased over what felt like a very real dilemma of the mind and body to her.
"No, I'm asking do you know what you're doing?"
Sakura could feel her hands go clammy. It was a somewhat intimate question, yet in this setting, with this conversation, not really out of the ordinary. The answer was that in theory, yes, she did. It wasn't that she hadn't ever indulged. Just that the great shift at the center of her private fantasies had brought a sense of guilt that hadn't been there before. Never to the degree it was any time she had made an attempt and come up short.
"The action is one thing…the s-subject is…"
"Understandable," Naoko mulled it over. "It didn't stop me from imagining the possibilities, what with the Hokage and Madara being such good friends for so long I'm sure they wouldn't mind both—"
Heat rose in her blood, heat that was both familiar and foreign. There was the hot, pulsing haze of blooming arousal, and then there was the icy tendrils of cold fire that tended to prelude her anger.
In spite of how the tension ratcheted, Naoko lost her thoughtful expression and laughed prettily.
"I'm sorry," she cupped a hand to her stomach as she settled down. "That was an inappropriate test."
Sakura's gaze wasn't any less narrowed. "Test?"
"I had suspicions of the kind of reaction a comment like that would bring."
Sakura's heart tumbled to thud against her ribs as if it had picked up so much momentum it couldn't stop quick enough. What kind of ammunition had she just given the cunning woman? She wasn't even sure why the image Naoko had been painting brought about desire and…indignation…in equal measure.
"It just caught me off guard." It was a pitiful explanation and they both knew it. Everything Naoko said and did caught everyone off guard. This was different.
The door slamming open and several voices jumbled by conversation filtered into the room. Naoko barely lifted her face at the return of her clansmen. "Right. Another time then?" she asked, standing before Sakura could answer. "You're welcome to stay for dinner. Stew does have a satisfying way of warming you down to your toes."
Sakura nodded dumbly, barely comprehending the invitation. She should've known confiding would bring about as many new questions as it answered.
He hated sitting idle. Especially regarding something so momentous that was meant to help someone so important to him. But as Shikamaru had helpfully pointed out, jutsu requiring the delicate application as the advanced-level one that might just bring Sakura back to them, wasn't Naruto's forte by a mile.
He, along with Suigetsu, had been told to keep quiet and out of the way or go. That was offensive in itself. While the nuke-nin from Mist may have just been dragged along into events because of his affiliation to Sasuke, he had a personal stake in it.
And even if he didn't understand exactly what the Hokage's hand-selected research team was doing, he didn't want to be left out of the loop. He'd do almost anything for his friends, but of all things they needed him for, it had to be this!
"Stop squirming unless you want me to lose this needle in your arm!" Karin hissed, shoving her glasses up her face with authority.
Naruto clenched his teeth, not because it hurt, but because it felt like had been getting poked and prodded for hours. Sasuke, ever the show off, sat on a chair just to his left with Kabuto bent over to draw his blood sample.
"Why's this even necessary?" he complained.
"Oh my, for all that power you possess it seems time hasn't changed the very little you're able to comprehend." Orochimaru tisked.
Naruto raised the arm not being jabbed and sent him a flippant gesture. The sanin, still unsteady on his feet and looking like warmed death, smiled dangerously. Naruto silently vowed that as soon as it was all over, he'd press Tsunade-baachan to be rid of their old enemy once and for all.
He'd throttle the fucker back into a prison cell if he could, but they insisted they needed him to have a hope of saving Sakura-chan. Kabuto was the same, a necessary evil they were tolerating. So the duo stayed.
"You are the present reincarnations of the Sage's sons." said the snake sanin.
"Sasuke-kun was onto something to think the answer to unlocking a portal dwells in the bloodline of Hagoromo Otsutsuki. After all, just look at the blessings its afforded you, children of prophecy." Kabuto drew away with the sample in hand, shuffling away as Sasuke sat up.
"Just shut up and let them work." The Uchiha told him. How could he be so nonchalant? He knew exactly what Orochimaru was capable of. What was there to guarantee that he wouldn't pull something underhanded and botch the jutsu on purpose.
"Because it isn't to his benefit to be uncooperative." Karin grumbled, close to his ear. "Trust me, he knows he's cornered right now."
"We needn't waste our time running tests just for the chance of chatting with the Sage's soul." Orochimaru announced almost lazily. "One Reanimation and I could have him here in an instant. Isn't that what you'd both like?" he cooed, "To be reunited with your poor, lost teammate as quickly as possible? Assuming the girl hasn't already succumbed to—"
"That's enough out of you," Tsunade snapped as she entered the room, radiating tiredness. Shizune scurried in behind her, frowning in concern "We're doing this my way or you can go back to your cell and await execution. We're not going along with anything you suggest—not on your miserable life. The council's giving me enough hell over this already."
"Tsunade, Tsunade, you may not trust me but we're all aware how much you need me. Extending my life depends on retrieving your precious apprentice from wherever she's been hurled off through time and space. A daunting task, but I always did like the challenge."
"Do you ever stop yapping?" Naruto tossed his head back against the chair and groaned. "You really like the sound of your own voice."
"Done," Karin straightened her body that moment, holding three full vials of his blood. "We'll start using these in our practice trials right away."
"Yes," Kabuto's eyes shone bright behind his glasses as he carefully twirled the vial containing Sasuke's blood. After whatever crazy experimentation he had done on himself, the once average-looking four eyes from the Chunin Exam resembled a reptilian creature almost more than his master, with an awful white pallor the color of a fish's underbelly.
He had a patchwork of haphazard scales appearing in places, and golden eyes identical to Orochimaru's. It was idol worship gone wrong and taken much too far, in Naruto's honest opinion. He had wondered if there was no cure for his metamorphosis or if he simply chose to stay that way. "We should be set to run the first test in two days' time. If that's amenable to Lady Hokage." the serpentine-looking medic finished.
Baa-chan only glowered. There wasn't anyone in the room who didn't have bad blood with Kabuto and Orochimaru, separately or as a pair. But they were all rallying around the chance to bring Sakura back. At least find out where she'd gone, then definitely get her back.
Naruto slid from his seat and no one tried to stop him. "If we're done for the day then I'm outta here,"
He brushed by Tsunade, slumped against the wall with her arms crossed. "Fine. Just stay out of trouble for a change. And be on standby. In case we need anymore samples."
He waved her off, his mind already on a bowl of mouth-watering Ichiraku ramen. It'd been a while since he'd stopped by to speak to Ayame and the old man… He could really use a pick-me-up just then.
In the time after deserting the clan, Kikue hadn't really missed much they had left behind. The most important thing to her, her siblings, were with her. Konoha had tentatively allowed them a place to stay, and the Inuzuka clan felt more like family than their own kin ever had.
Her father wasn't there to cast his disgusted gaze her way or rant about all the ways she was his weakest and most disappointing child. Life was different now. Different and better. Usually.
"Still here?" a voice sneered from behind, and Kikue desperately tried to be smaller, even though she knew it was futile.
Turning cautiously, she was confronted with a posse of children who hadn't exactly been endeared to the fact that they were peers with a Kaguya. It didn't matter how much she tried to present herself as friendly, everything she did only solidified their dislike.
She talked too childishly, her kekkei genkai was disturbing, she was too weak to keep up in spars, her very presence was offputting, and so on. Though she kept up the semblance of cheer for her siblings, not wanting to worry them and knowing how Harihane was prone to react violently, it was starting to get to her.
They were starting to get to her.
"Kikue's allowed to be here as much as you are," she whispered defiantly.
"That so?" Manabu leered, his hair flopping into his eye somehow menacing. He was several years older than her, already taller and broader than most of their male classmates even from his own age group. He had been one of the most vocal about reminding her of her place since the first day. "My father says the Kaguya are just ticks that came riding in on the Inuzuka's backs." he smirked, and some of his friends echoed the sentiment with smirks to match.
She bit her lip, staring up at them through her lashes, not sure if what she felt was the urge to flee and cry or…something else entirely. More often lately, her skin would prickle as it happened, a stir of a new emotion she wasn't capable of naming yet accompanying the feeling.
Today, Kikue thought she knew as she watched bones lengthening from each knuckle before she could stop them. Her fight or flight response was finally becoming fight.
It wasn't the best time, though. Harihane was inside, not allowed out to play for the day because she kept trying to climb the wall and leave. Yoku stayed inside to keep her company, and Asuga was naturally with her master.
Chisato, Kagami and Reira, the three she had met on the first day, the three who were consistently nice while everyone else pretended they didn't see her torment or actively participated, were not around. Their class hadn't been dismissed on a break yet. Technically, that meant she should only be dealing with one of her main bullies, but the Shimura boy was so prideful he would leave his class early when he felt the lesson was beneath him.
She was on her own, and the sharp eyes of the boy called Danzo soaked in her apprehension. "They say even a cornered mouse bites back on occasion…are you a cornered mouse?" Dark eyes flicked down to the thickened bones protruding threateningly. "Or a cornered monster?"
"Kikue's had enough of you!" She raised one fist, the silent threat delivered. They took a step too close and she could fire off bones as sharp as kunai in an instant.
"Hah!" Manabu elbowed Danzo, who hadn't stopped passively staring. "We're getting an ultimatum from the mouse monster." He moved faster than his size would lead one to believe he could, and the front of her yukata was clenched so tight in his meaty fists she thought he'd rip it. Feet dangling, no longer touching the snowy ground, she yelped. "My father also says allowing the Kaguya to invade just proves the Hokage's incompetence, and I agree. We all know what your clan's really like, so you can drop the act."
The ground looked so far away, and she couldn't imagine what would happen to her if she kicked out and he dropped her. Frantically searching for someone that might be inclined to help brought no reassurance, as everyone else was too busy playing as if nothing was wrong, lest they be the next ones Manabu went after.
A knot swelled in her throat, and she felt a whine slip out. Crying was unfairly appealing at the moment, but that was something the old Kikue would do. Cry and cower and take it.
The memory of kind green eyes and shining pink hair granted a measure of courage, and Kikue lifted her chin. "I know I'm a Kaguya, but I'm tired of being ashamed about that. And I'm tired of being pushed around by someone like you!"
She hadn't meant to...or maybe she had. One minute a rush of energy coursed through her body. The next, Manabu sported an ugly cut that started at his cheek and curved down over his lips, courtesy of her body's bony defense mechanisms.
His hands flew up to her face, and she fell to her knees in the soft snow, which was already sinking through her clothing. When one of the Uchiha's fingers pulled away and he noticed the thick smear of blood, her heart sank.
All bravado had left her as fast as it'd come, and she tried crawling backwards, away from the deep rage in his snarl. Funny how they had taunted her, said she was a monster for her bloodline, but everything about the boy in front of her right now was downright beastly.
"Easy Manabu," Danzo warned. "I think our monster friend's temper tantrum was a spur of the moment thing."
"Who cares?" the large boy spat. "She started it!" To her, he said, "You think you're gonna get away with that? Hey, I heard a Kaguya's bones are three times as thick as normal. Wanna test it?" His fingers seized her arm and he jerked her up like a doll until she was dangling again, a shooting pain lancing through her shoulder.
"Let Kikue go!" she thrashed, not afraid to allow her adrenaline to take control anymore. "Let me go!"
"I think listening instead of escalating this situation is for the best." A feminine voice stated assertively.
Kikue could only blink as a girl about her age pushed her way through the loose circle of children who had come to observe the spectacle. She had short brown hair to her jaw, held back and in place by a pink headband with a flower for decoration. Her simple green kimono looked warm, and the stern expression on her face made her look as strict as an adult.
Manabu lowered Kikue a bit, turning to glare over his shoulder. "Who're you supposed to be?"
"I'm Biwako Hagino." she said, hands on her hip. "But the real question is who're you and why are you fighting with another student outside scheduled sparring time?"
"Is she for real?" Manabu grunted, seemingly to himself. Puffing himself to appear even larger, he tossed Kikue aside and stepped forward challengingly. "You want to be next?"
Kikue's rescuer, Biwako, didn't bat an eye. "How tasteless." she scoffed. "And Danzo-san," she turned and addressed the boy. "You missed the last thirty minutes of the lesson. Yurine-sensei isn't pleased so don't be surprised if there are consequences in your near future."
"You know her?" Manabu shook his head in disgust.
"Hardly." Danzo chose to ignore Biwako completely, and Kikue slowly got to her feet to inspect herself for injury. "She's the class know-it-all. A civilian-born who shouldn't even be here."
"One's birth status has nothing to do with being a ninja!" Biwako glowered. "I—"
"It has a lot to do with it, actually," The large Uchiha cut her off. "You're in an academy, hoping one day you'll be able to say you're a shinobi of this village, but what jutsu have you learned yet?"
"I've been reading on the practical applications of hand signs before attempting—"
"Do you even know the best way to manipulate your chakra?"
"Of course, that was covered on day one of class. It's best if you draw from the—"
"Where's your kekkei genkai?"
For the first time since intervening, Biwako fell silent, a troubled look replacing her unshakeable resolve.
"That's what I thought," Manabu bumped her shoulder roughly, and she stumbled back. "That's exactly the reason people who aren't from clans shouldn't be anywhere near an academy for the future shinobi of the village!" he exclaimed, met by nods from some of his cronies. "You really think book smarts is going to save you on a mission?" He tapped his temple. "Face it, you aren't made to be ninja—it's not in your blood. And even then, having a shinobi background might not save you from being hopeless. You might still end up like that!"
Kikue looked down at herself, knowing he was pointing directly at her without following the path of his finger.
"You're really starting to get on my nerves."
Kikue perked up, inwardly shedding tears of joy. Reira, Kagami, Chisato and a boy she didn't recognize had meandered their way over. Right away, she could tell Reira and Kagami were ready for a confrontation, almost as if they'd dealt with Manabu's brand of cruelty before.
"More wannabe shinobi." Manabu rolled his eyes.
"Hiruzen," Danzo stepped toward the boy Kikue didn't know. His hair was sandy brown and he had dark eyes set in a tanned, boyish face. "You're hanging around them now? A shame. I thought someone from the Sarutobi clan would make smarter choices."
"What's wrong with them, Danzo?" Hiruzen asked, scratching at his cheek. "I figured since we're all in the same class it shouldn't matter. We could all just…get to know each other and be friends?"
"I'm not looking for friends," Danzo turned to scowl off at some unseen foe. "I'm looking for worthy rivals that I can push myself with. I thought you could be that rival."
"Eh? I…I'm flattered. I think…"
"Manabu, I think we're done here, aren't we?"
The Uchiha felt his face, sticking his tongue out to lap at the spot where the wound had hurt his mouth. "Yeah," he sucked his teeth, giving Kikue a menacing grin. "For now at least. I'd have to knock too many heads just to finish off one mouse monster. But watch your back,"
"What is up with them?" Reira flailed her arms, as the duo of antagonistic boys left and the kids who had been gathered to watch followed. "When I perfect my Futon jutsu I'm really going to teach them a lesson!" she slammed her fist into her open palm in demonstration.
Kagami tapped her shoulder. "Uh, Reira…"
"Huh? What's wrong Kagami-kun? Oh! I know! Manabu's been bothering you for a long time, huh? Don't worry, I won't leave you out. We can tag team!"
"No, it's not that…" He subtly motioned with his head in Kikue's direction, and it was only then that she realized tears were finally winding their way from her eyes.
"Are you okay?" Hiruzen asked. "I'm sorry about Danzo. I don't know why he's in such a bad mood today, but I'll talk to him!" He did an about face, stopping short when he almost bumped into a motionless Biwako. "A-Ah, sorry." he apologized. Then he sprinted off in the direction the bullies had gone.
Biwako watched Hiruzen leave with a passive face.
"He wants to try to talk to them…" Chisato stated. "His words might not reach Danzo-san if he was serious about not wanting friends. Still, Hiruzen-san is determined to try. What a strange person."
Kagami smiled a little. "Coming from you that seems a little lacking in the self-awareness department."
Chisato's head cocked to the side, but not enough to see her ever-hidden eyes. "Does it?" her soft voice mused. "Well…maybe so."
"I'm glad you look mostly okay, Kikue!" Reira rushed forward to wrap her in a hug that was too tight. But Kikue accepted the embrace as a gesture of true concern. "Did you get caught up in that too?" she asked Biwako. "Oh, I'm Reira by the way! And these are my friends. You sit two rows behind us. You're…uh…Bi—Bisha…Huh. I know it's on the tip of my tongue."
"Biwako Hagino." She drew herself as tall as possible. "I know right now for most clan heirs that name's not worth remembering."
"N-No, it's not like that!" Reira insisted. "Not all of us are stuck up jerks! Manabu and Danzo bother us too."
"I see," Biwako murmured. "But they seem to make anyone not from a clan particular targets. I came to assist because I thought the fight might be unfair," She offered Kikue a nod, her eyes softening. Kikue's heart suddenly went out to the girl who intervened in a fight that wasn't really her own, knowing it would make her a greater target, because her sense of justice wouldn't allow her to stand idly by. Biwako deflated a smidge, sighing. "Although I admit right now there's not much I can do. He was right about that."
"Don't concern yourself too much with their opinions," Kagami said. "I know it's easier said than done," he stared down at his feet. "Manabu's been like that for years, and now it looks like it's getting worse…But—"
"I don't intend to let something like this stop me." Biwako assured him. "I wanted to enroll here because I too have a goal to be a shinobi. People like them will just have to get used to the idea."
"That's the spirit!" Reira hopped in place. "I like your attitude, Biwako!"
"Um," Kikue finally found her voice again, stepping toward the solemn girl shyly. "Kikue's happy you tried to help her. She thinks Biwa-chan is already way braver than them."
"M-me? Brave?" A light blush dotted her cheeks.
"I second that." Chisato voiced.
"Me too, me too!" Reira shouted. "You're pretty hardcore, Biwako!"
"And you know, if you'd like, you could be our friend." Kagami added with a boyish grin. "If Manabu feels stronger and braver when he's in a group, I don't see why we can't."
Kikue gave into the urge to fling herself at their new friend in a hug. She looked taken aback, but didn't complain. The Kaguya wanted to believe maybe, just maybe, Biwako felt a little less alone now too.
Yurine held onto her like she didn't want to let go. When Sakura had pried her off, the blonde composed herself with a sheepish grin. "This is so exciting! Aren't you excited?" she clapped, her usual excitable self.
Sakura nodded along, letting Yurine lead her through the halls of the academy, which she was sure she could have navigated all on her own if she'd needed to. It hadn't changed much in terms of layout. Or, more accurately it wouldn't change too much by the time she was enrolled in the distant future. Yurine didn't know any of that, so she allowed herself to be taken on a 'tour' of the building.
Sakura made sure to ooh and aah at the appropriate times to keep up the charade. Although one or two gasps of excitement were genuine when they would see something that reminded her of her own time as an academy student. After she'd shaken off the nasty bullies from her early years, anyway.
"To tell you the truth, the children will be going home to spend time with their families before the new year after today, so the curriculum is slightly altered. Aside from your lesson, it seemed like a good idea for us to be more lenient on the last day. Half their heads are in the clouds anyway," Yurine explained. "And well, I'm really glad you're here because I could use the break too." she pouted. "While you do your thing, I can take it easy for a bit."
"Don't worry, I completely understand." Sakura nodded. "I've never tried teaching medical ninjutsu basics to anyone so young though, so I hope I do alright."
"You're teaching specifically to the group that shows the greatest aptitude for precise chakra control so far. That doesn't mean every single one's going to turn out to be as amazing a medic as you are," her friend winked. "But if even one takes an interest, then I'd call it a win." She stopped short at the third door on the hall, giving her a final encouraging smile. "This is it!"
Yurine opened the classroom, slightly smaller than the usual, to a cluster of about two dozen students waiting patiently in their rows as a male teacher lectured them about giving the utmost respect during the lesson. "Remember, you've all been selected for this because you show great potential to learn the honorable and invaluable skills of a medic. Do not squander this opportunity!"
"Yes, sensei," Most of the class chorused.
He turned at their entrance, bowing as he scuttled out of the way. Sakura walked in to find all eyes already on her.
"I'm sure you all remember when I said there'd be a medic coming today to begin showing you the basics. This is a good friend of mine, Sakura Haruno. Feel free to address her with the same respect as you would us sensei!" Yurine chirped.
'I can do this. I've given plenty of demonstrations before. Just because they're children it doesn't make it any different.' Sakura mentally coached herself as she made her way to the table already prepared. She had requested certain things she would need to properly instruct them and, at a glance it looked like it had all been provided to specifications.
"It's just like you've been told, I'm here to instruct you in the art of medical ninjutsu. Of course, there's a lot more to learn than I have time to teach today, but at the very least we'll start the basics."
She carefully unfurled and activated the scroll, a small, flopping fish popping out on the paper. Sakura moved the bowl of water she'd asked for closer as an extra precaution.
When she glanced up at the students, she saw one boy had already shot his arm into the air. The med-nin resisted the urge to lean in and squint. Something about him was almost familiar.
In fact, she saw the faces of several children who could possibly be people she recognized in her own time, and others she definitely did. To her chagrin, a young Danzo was slumped at his seat in the second row, looking as disinterested in being there as she was in teaching him.
Nothing about the man she knew held the spirit of a healer, and she didn't want her beloved mentor's techniques falling into his hands even partially.
But there was nothing she could do to get the boy out of the classroom without it coming off suspicious. What reason would she have to single out a child she supposedly barely knew?
"Already a question," she smiled at the child with his hand raised, trying to outwardly appear calm.
"Yes," The glasses-wearing boy nodded at being acknowledged. "Assuming we all take to your method of healing, at about what level of proficiency do you think it's possible for us to reach while we're here at the academy?"
Sakura had to admit, for a kid no older than ten or eleven, he was already pretty astute to wonder over how effective it was possible for them to get with any techniques they learned. "That's usually more dependent on the individual. Technically speaking, the possibilities are as limitless as your own aptitude and determination." She flicked some water onto the fish to keep it comfortable.
The boy leaned back in his seat, clearly thinking on that response. "Alright, please continue."
Yurine released an exasperated sigh from the sidelines. "Sorry about that, Homura likes to interrogate us on the use of every lesson. So he can calculate the way to tackle it that'll give him the best results."
'Homura! As in Homura Mitokado!' Sakura squeezed the table for support but let it go when she realized with the turmoil inside her, breaking a chunk of it off was too likely.
The boy's familiarity made perfect sense now, and unfortunately he was another face she wasn't too thrilled to see in the past. In her time, he would be an old and wizened member of the village council, one who tried to undermine Tsunade's decisions at nearly every turn, and who'd kept secrets and sided with Danzo on more than one occasion.
The council also weren't great fans of Naruto, which they voiced to Tsunade often, even while Sakura herself was present. There were too many reasons to dislike the boy, and she couldn't let that show. 'If he's here…that probably means…' Sure enough, within a minute of scanning the classroom, her eyes landed on a brown-haired girl with a neutral expression that she was positive was the other half of the annoying council duo, Koharu Utatane. 'Danzo, and both council members in the same classroom? So much for a smooth-sailing lesson…'
Forcing herself to regain her composure, Sakura went on, "Today I'm going to show you the best way to isolate infection in an opened wound, which I plan to demonstrate with this fish. Its scales have been damaged, and without treatment infection will easily penetrate its body and it'll die." She was careful not to promise anything unrealistic.
After all Yurine had been correct that of all the children in the room, it was unlikely any more than a handful would have true aptitude needed to keep going. Danzo, she could already imagine, wouldn't make it. Then perhaps that was also wishful thinking…
From that point on, Sakura continued her lesson (including a rundown on the anatomy of the type of fish they were using) as if she was completely unaware of who some of the students were and had no idea who they would grow up to be.
All things considered, she felt she was doing a good job keeping the reins on her vexation well in hand. Danzo couldn't stop looking exasperated, after all, and she was all set to demand that if he imagined he could do a better job with the lecture, to come up and try it.
When her fish was healed and happy, swimming around painlessly in a tank of water, she began calling on children to come to the front individually and try it with their own fish, all stored safely for the time-being in prepared scrolls. Sakura wasn't sure where so many injured fish had come from, but animal injuries had been fairly common to start with during her own training.
She coaxed the first three kids through the healings, asking them questions to make sure they remembered what they needed to from the lecture before attempting it. Only one had botched the attempt, and she patiently guided the girl through her sniffles until the fish's scales glowed a healthy, lustrous silver.
Truthfully, due to the fact that they were academy students and she hadn't gauged any of them for herself, she started them with the barest of basics. At a lower level than what she'd done with her first attempt.
While her shishou would have her healing internal damage or mending broken bones within her first few weeks, Sakura wasn't convinced the students could handle that on a first try. Better to take it slow rather than overwhelm them.
A few damaged scales were more suitable for young amateurs. With a gasp, the little girl ran a careful finger over the scales of the lively fish. Sakura hardly had time to react when, in the child's joy, arms locked around her waist in a hug. "Thank you so much, Sakura-sensei!"
'Sakura…sensei…' There was no immediate description for the emotions that flooded her at the title. She'd never considered if she'd have students of her own one day. It had felt like a long way off due to her age, but here she was, teaching children only a handful of years younger than she was. It wasn't really an unpleasant feeling, she'd say that much.
"You're welcome," she hugged the child back, then picked up the scroll and flipped it to dump the healed fish in the tank with the others.
"Who's next?"
Another girl stepped up, wearing a pink headband with a flower in the middle, and with a face of resolve seldom seen on children. "I'm ready." Sakura almost…saw a little of herself in those early days as her shishou's disciple.
"Then let's get started," she said, watching the girl carefully assess the fish.
"This area of scales are broken, right near the gills." She pointed as she gave her assessment. "That means that the fish is probably having a hard time breathing right now. If I apply what you showed us, I think I can isolate the infection safely without risking its respiratory system." Sakura watched the girl work as she quietly thought aloud to herself. With sure movements, she did the small amount of healing required, a slow smile quirking her lips when she stepped back. The feeling of a kindred spirit flared up again when the girl turned dark eyes upward to her for further instruction. "Was that correct, sensei?"
"It was. Especially for a first attempt. You seemed very sure of yourself."
Danzo, who wasn't very far back in the queue, answered for her, "Book knowledge is really all she has to rely on when her combat skills are so weak."
Yurine descended on him immediately, seizing him by the shoulder. "Why don't you and I step outside for a talk?" she said with forced sweetness.
If Sakura claimed the amount of elation at having the boy removed from class even temporarily wasn't cathartic in that moment, she'd be lying.
"He's partially right…" The girl slowly agreed. "I also had been looking into medical ninjutsu on my own, in case it was something I could become proficient in."
"And what's your name?" Sakura coaxed.
"Biwako Hagino, sensei."
"Keep at it, and with that kind of memory and some dedicated practice, you could be an excellent Konoha medic one day, Biwako-chan."
Sakura nodded along in agreement, "Exactly, if you—huh?" she halted in confusion. "I didn't say that…"
Her verdant eyes shot toward the doorway, where kids were already clambering around the sudden appearance of none other than the Hokage himself. Even Biwako looked a little star-struck, and the male teacher had rushed over to great the village leader with a gracious bow.
Sakura tried to recalibrate her thoughts accordingly, blindsided from her teaching by his unexpected appearance and the pull he clearly had on the whole room.
"Lord Hokage, it's an honor to have you join us." The sensei exclaimed.
Hashirama removed his hat, laughing off the formality. "Please don't mind me. I'm only here to observe today. If anything I'm honored to catch Sakura-san teaching the next generation."
That was…reasonable, she supposed. The Third Hokage had occasionally popped in without preamble to observe them going about their lessons, too. The tradition had to start somewhere, and with so much riding on the way the youth of the village were taught, it made sense that the Hokage would be interested in their development.
But this wasn't old Hiruzen with the scent of his pipe clinging to his robes and his kind, grandfatherly smile.
Sakura subtly shook her hair into her face a little so her reddened cheeks wouldn't be as obvious. He didn't have to make it sound so noble and look at her with so much reverence.
Things had only just gone back to a semblance of normalcy and blushing all the way to her roots at the sight of him would be obvious that even children might take notice.
"R-Right," she cleared her throat. "I agree with what the Hokage said, Biwako. I think you've shown some potential for this."
The brunette returned to her seat with some added confidence to her steps, and that alone was enough to make Sakura feel better. Students like that needed the kind of praise and assurance they were on the right track. Book smarts was a perfectly applicable real world skill for shinobi to have, and she didn't want a single child doubting that like she once had.
Sakura instructed another ten students, nearly all of them chirping a bright thanks and calling her sensei. The entire time she could feel the unyielding gaze of the Hokage on her. He had perched himself in the front row like an eager pupil, ridiculously big beside the small children surrounding him.
Blocking out the comical sight, she managed to get through the guiding of Koharu Utatane without incident, then two more nameless students she didn't know, then eventually Homura Mitokado. Finally, it was almost Danzo's turn.
He had returned with Yurine, anger in his eyes, and been placed at the very back of the line as punishment. Sakura stared the little boy down like she was staring down an S-ranked nuke-nin, and his expression was cold with challenge.
Danzo wordlessly moved toward the table, eying the struggling fish with indifference. He brought his hand up to hover over it, but as far as Sakura could tell it wasn't in an attempt to activate a jutsu. The room was silent, everyone slowly growing confused at the boy's actions. Sakura was an odd mix of triumphant and frustrated. She wasn't too broken up about seeing the child possibly embarrass himself, but she'd just as soon get it all over with. "Do you remember how—"
"Don't talk to me," he mumbled so only she could hear. Her jaw nearly dropped. "I'm concentrating." The rude boy who would grow into the despicable man went back to examining the fish, which probably could have used some water at that point. Sakura was half-tempted to bump Danzo aside and heal it so she could put it back in the tank with its brethren. A chorus of gasps going up brought her attention back to Danzo and the fish, only to find the pitiful creature had stopped moving altogether.
"It's dead. He killed his fish!" A student cried.
"It was just a fish." The Shimura scoffed.
"You can't force too much chakra into such a small wound," Sakura scolded, "You'll metastasize the cells."
Not only that, but with such a blasé disregard toward even the smallest loss of life, there was no way he would have the compassion needed to ever treat human patients. Not that she'd been holding out hope that the man responsible for the atrocities of ROOT would ever give candy to a crying child after a shot.
"Danzo, return to your seat please." The male sensei commanded, sounding disappointed.
The boy complied, and Yurine pinched the bridge of her nose. "I think we've taken up enough of Sakura's time for today. Why don't we thank her for helping us?" The young voices joined together to express their gratitude for the lesson, and then Yurine and her fellow sensei ushered all of the children out, encouraging them to go play in the snow outside.
Sakura supposed all things considered that hadn't been such a bad lesson. It went as well as anyone could expect given circumstances.
She leaned back against the desk, very aware that she still had an audience. For reasons she couldn't guess, the Hokage hadn't left yet. "You know, I think the children really took to you," he said, getting up and making the short trip to her. "Well, I guess…Shinpachi's son Danzo is still…"
"A menace," Sakura groused. "He's a menace and you know it."
Hashirama didn't refute it right away. "I'd like to think there's still hope."
Sakura wished she could have his blind faith, but he didn't know what she did. If Hashirama was aware of just what kind of threat to his dream the standoffish boy would grow to be, she wondered if even he would find enough forgiveness to spare.
"I guess anything's possible at this point." she shrugged. Though she would sooner believe in gods and goddesses with hidden agendas for humanity than the possibility of Danzo turning out to be a decent human being. In the meantime Hashirama would need to keep enough hope alive for the both of them. 'I hope your heart always stays that open.'
"You'd know that more than most, wouldn't you?" he teased, drawing a genuine laugh from her.
No one could have gotten her to believe she'd be having this conversation, in this time, a handful of months ago. Hashirama didn't know the half of that situation either.
He still believed she was a girl with no family who had been directed to try and start a new life in Konoha before her mother had died. Omitting certain…crucial bits of information from him when he'd been so generous with her, wasn't something that made her feel good. Still, it was something that needed to be done. Hopefully, if the day ever came that she'd need to reveal her true origins, he would understand. Tobirama, however…
"To be fair, I only know because the impossible keeps chasing me down to remind me it exists." Sakura quipped. The comment amused him, judging by the way his eyes shone.
"Speaking of chasing down, I think Toka is getting closer to forgiving me. She's stopped watching me like she wants to hunt me for sport every time I enter a room."
Sakura wondered how someone could sound so completely enthused that their relative had stopped casually plotting their murder, instead of concerned it had taken so long. As previously established some time ago, Hashirama Senju was as eccentric a man as he was endearing.
"And your brother?" They had discussed, in between trying to push Madara into loosening up to enjoy the celebrations in his honor, how to get Tobirama talking to his brother again.
"The problem is he's not interested in staying in a room long enough to listen unless he's going to slam paperwork at me." Hashirama had confided as Sakura sat and drank with him.
She supposed maybe they should be focused more on Madara, given that it was his party, but currently he'd been whisked off by Naoko and some other women, something about modeling some winter kimonos he'd been gifted.
Sakura supposed that the way the women had descended on him like a swarm of locusts should have been…worrying. But Izuna hardly batted an eye, so at the very least the Uchiha would probably still have their leader come the following morning.
Then, although she wouldn't admit it, the honey wine's rich, sweet flavor had a slightly addictive quality. She was far from inebriated with her chakra consciously burning through the alcohol's effects, but for someone who hardly drank, Sakura could get used to the taste.
"I hope I'm not overstepping, Hokage-sama, but maybe he thinks you'll make excuses. I don't know Tobirama-san that well, but if he puts as much importance on soaking at the hot springs as it sounds like and he thinks you're responsible for ruining it…" Sakura wasn't even sure how they'd gotten on the topic, or what had her emboldened enough to dare offer the Hokage advice on his situation, yet here they were.
"You're right," Hashirama confessed, sighing, "My brother's held grudges longer over much, much less."
"Why am I not surprised?" she whispered into her drink.
"Did you say something, Sakura-san?"
"Nothing," she said quickly. "But if you're working together, this can't go on, can it?"
"It…could…" The Hokage stared into his empty glass. "It's just not very comfortable. Dinner's every night are only getting more awkward, too. I asked if he'd mind passing me a dish last night, and he scooped the rest onto his plate and told me there was no more."
"Ouch…" Sakura shook her head in pity, as if she hadn't done nearly the same thing with Madara and the inari-zushi platter. "Maybe you…maybe you should try something that appeals to him and then apologize then. Make a gesture too sincere to ignore."
"I think that's underestimating my brother's ability to ignore grand gestures, but thank you, Sakura-san. You shouldn't waste the party listening to my problems."
Near the center of the room, hoots and whistles rang out, followed by a very low, agitated voice. Sakura and Hashirama slowly rose, the former having to work a little harder to see through the crowd.
When they simultaneously found what had everyone worked into such an uproar, Sakura clapped a hand to her mouth and Hashirama split into peals of laughter.
Madara, his hair in a high ponytail and blush painted on his cheeks, stood in what was almost certainly woman's kimono, one with a scandalously plunging neckline—no doubt having been modified—at that. Everyone was getting an eyeful of his defined pecs and upper chest.
He was hard to hear, but whatever he was saying to Naoko and her accomplices wasn't appropriate for young ears and women of delicate sensibilities anyway, if Sakura had to make a guess.
She was claiming it was all an honest mistake, and he was having none of it.
"That's a side of him I've never seen before," Hashirama wiped a lone tear away.
Finally allowing herself to cave into snickers, Sakura grinned wide. "If his reaction is anything to go by, I think that's a side of himself he's never seen before either."
It was hard to think any more on getting the Senju brothers to reconcile after that point. But for the Hokage's sake she really hoped he'd tried when he got home.
"I spoke to the couple who owns the inn, and had them set up something for Tobirama where he could really be alone without interruption." He rubbed at the back of his neck. "He's…I think he's suspicious, because in his mind it takes me much longer to learn my lesson."
'Wonder where he'd get a true idea like that.'
"But he hasn't tried jumping out at me in empty rooms like he was doing before, and he gave me a cup of tea this morning that he didn't slam down on my fingers!"
'Once again, no one should sound so cheerful that their family isn't being blatantly hostile to them…'
"T-That's…progress…" Sakura had no idea if it really was. "Is that why you came to visit the academy today?" She left the thought that she'd expect Tobirama to have him on a tighter leash unsaid.
Here, he timidly tried not to make eye contact. "Not…quite…I'd heard you were going to be here doing your first lesson today."
"O-Oh…" It hadn't really crossed her mind that she was the direct cause of his appearance. Maybe he regretted making the offer and had come to see that she hadn't irreparably misguided children. That was a silly notion, of course. The Hokage had hope for Danzo, so needless to say he wasn't so swift to withdraw faith in others, even if maybe in some cases it was warranted. That left the alternative. He'd come because he was happy to see her teach. To see her.
'Friends support each other at times like these!' Sakura rationalized. 'And that's what we are now…I think.' Surely some sort of tentative friendship had been worked out as of late. Right?
"I hope it wasn't so unexpected that it made you uncomfortable," he frowned. "Although if you were bothered by me being here, you hid it well."
"I'm fine under pressure, it comes with the med-nin territory." She'd once manually pumped her best friend's heart on the battlefield, having the First Hokage watch her teach academy students the most basic of skills was a peaceful spring stroll.
"I'm sorry," Hashirama sat next to her on the table, placing his hat on one knee. "It's rude to discredit you. Sometimes you just don't seem as battle-hardened as most shinobi are by your age."
Sakura felt her brows draw together in worry. Could he be starting to suspect she wasn't exactly who she claimed to be?!
"That's a good thing," he amended. "You're well aware of it, but part of my hope is that by attending this academy and having the village to call home, more children could end up less scarred by senseless fighting."
Sakura smiled sadly. She wanted his wish to become a reality, but time would prove to be cruel to generations of Konoha children. "I know." It brought to mind a large portion of the reason Mizuchi told her she was there indefinitely. To right wrongs, and possibly stop celestial threats… In doing so, she'd be protecting his dream, giving it a chance to be better than before. "I want that too…"
At least they kept their distance. The snow crunched beneath his feet, and children screamed, zigzagging around the play yard chasing after their friends. Not one approached, though he got some curious stares when they assumed he wasn't looking.
It was all just as well. While Hashirama took time pretending to tour the inside of the academy in a bid to go moon at Haruno, he would watch to see how students acclimated to playtime with their peers.
Some might question what interest he held in such a thing, but Tobirama was not a heartless man. On some level even he was moved to see clothing bearing so many different clan crests flitting about in close proximity to each other, and clothing with no crests at all, and know that these children were forming lasting bonds of camaraderie.
At their age, he could have never hoped for such a thing, to have a friend from another clan to play with. To be allowed time to play at all was a rare enough thing. Yet, because his brother had dared to go off and defy their father, because he had befriended the heir to their family's sworn enemies, a ripple-effect was cast.
His foot moved over something colorful, and Tobirama took a moment to bend and pick up a scrawny carrot discarded on the ground. "Tobi-nii!" Reira was barreling toward him with arms stretched forward, her friends tagging along.
She flew through the air, and he was forced to support her weight with a hand around her upper back. "You found our carrot!" She plucked it out of his hand and tossed it down to the Aburame girl.
Sighing, he sat the brunette down on her feet. "This answers the mystery of where Mei-san's last carrot went this morning. A crow met the end of her broom behind your misdeeds."
"Aw," she whined. "Don't tell, okay? We all brought stuff to make a snow-person, and I needed to bring the nose. Chisa-chan brought buttons for eyes, and Kagami-kun brought old earmuffs." As she spoke, his eyes caught on the handful of buttons in one mitted hand, and the worn earmuffs clenched between another pair of mittens.
Reira, her nose pink from cold and her hair coming slowly from its braid, looked so proud. Tobirama saw another face from a pastime, identical save for the eyes, and holding out a riceball to him as he kneeled in the snow, bruised and shivering.
"W-What's that face mean?" he heard her grumble. "It's not what you think. T-This is training!" She began waving the carrot. Catching on first, the Uchiha boy was quick to nod in agreeance. Their navy-haired friend nodded once, the pert nose and thin line of her mouth the only thing visible when the majority of her face was hidden by hair.
Reaching a hand toward her, his fingertips ghosted to the cloth headband she wore across her forehead. A childlike show of admiration, to imitate Hashirama. As he sometimes had in the past, he tugged the cloth over her eyes in one nimble motion. She squawked, dropping the carrot. "Enjoy this time," he told them, leaving the trio to their activity.
The rest of the yard was just as bustling, and he passed a child leaning in with his face dangerously close to a hanging icicle on the barren branch of a tree. His friends jeered for him to lick it, and he closed his eyes against their yelling.
It was childish, reckless fun.
The essence of it made him content, because the alternative to this scene was a gruesome one in which these children would be pitted against each other in mindless slaughter. Better they not see what almost could have been, better they only envision the indulgences of youth stretched out before them.
A dog came bounding out from a mound of snow, shaking itself with a yelp as the Inuzuka heiress covered her face. "Asuga, please!"
Standing just beside her, wearing the grouchy expression he remembered from before, was one of the three Kaguya tentatively granted asylum under his watch and by Hashirama's mercy. The teachers had reported in with them, just like they had been instructed to. Fretfully they'd informed them that the older Kaguya girl was at times reluctant to participate, but grudgingly would with a nudge from her friend or sister. She also had a penchant for trying to climb the smooth walls whenever she could.
The younger sister they said, was bubbly and curious, adapting much better. This Tobirama had decided to observe for himself. Imagining either child from such a bloodthirsty clan adapting at all had been a stretch.
If the more difficult of the two was behaving herself, then where was her younger sister? Tobirama spread his sensory-abilities out, probing for the signature he had catalogued during the many times he'd surveyed them from a distance. Strangely, the girl wasn't in the vicinity.
He walked carefully, searching for a sign of the child who matched her physical appearance, playing in the snow. It was only after he had passed several mounds constructed into makeshift forts that he spotted a small figure crouched behind one, knees to chest, dark head moving from side to side.
His eyes narrowed in wonder. That was clearly the girl, Kikue Kaguya, and yet her presence wasn't detectable to him. Why? Before he could draw any closer, her head lifted suddenly, and she turned to him with a look of sheer panic.
Her expression was one he had seen on enemy faces a number of times, but she, a mere child, looked as if he would cut her down. Hopping clumsily to her feet, she made to run, but he was there flash-stepping into her path without warning.
She reared back with a squeal, falling into the cold snow. Tobirama took a step, and she rolled onto her stomach into a ball, hands over her head. "Kikue hasn't done anything wr-wrong!" she blurted. "The Red Eyes Man sh-shouldn't be here."
Unimpressed and somewhat disgruntled at her reaction to him, Tobirama crouched, unceremoniously tugging her arms away until her dark eyes peeked up at him. "You're a sensor-type."
For a minute they only regarded each other with unsure expressions, he bewildered that he had not noticed what she was sooner, and her seemingly in awe she had not been harmed. She blinked her round eyes up at him, relaxing only a bit. "Kikue's heard that before, but she doesn't know what it is!"
Now, Tobirama was truly intrigued. The child had no idea of her budding ability, but even if only shortly, she had managed to evade his detection from such a close distance. Seasoned shinobi experienced at cloaking themselves usually couldn't do that. "You...have a gift for masking your presence to be undetectable, and with practice you would be able to find individuals over a great distance. But if you're this ignorant of what you can do, I can assume no one's been training you."
Slowly, she sat up onto her knees, still regarding him with big, dark eyes. "N-No,"
The cogs in his head turned faster as he weighed his next words carefully. He had only come to observe for himself that these Kaguya, products of such an unstable clan, would play nicely and normally. And, while he suspected there was nothing much any of the three could do against the might of Konoha should they ever choose to rise up, developed sensor-abilities were still dangerous in the wrong hands. In the right ones, however...
"Um," Kikue wrung her hands. "Y-You're not going to punish Kikue for not knowing?"
Tobirama closed his eyes, considering that maybe his introduction to the young child was more intimidating from her perspective than he had thought. "There's nothing to punish."
"Really?" Her tone was equal parts relieved and inquisitive. "Then...you know someone who's going to help Kikue?"
Growing impatient, he shook his head. "You aren't swift on the uptake," he informed her. "Under my guidance, we'll be exploring just how far your abilities go. They're in the early stages, but I wonder..." He stood, and so did she.
"You want to be Kikue's sensei?"
Tobirama gave the girl a flat stare. Never had he told her he would take on that mantle. He hadn't even chosen a child from his own clan to train exclusively. His intent had been to do an initial assessment, then find a sensor who could work with her.
The child had other plans, already mentally latching onto the idea that he would be her instructor, by the looks of it. "Could you show Kikue how you do what she does?"
A demonstration? Well, it was a harmless request. Flaring tendrils of his chakra outward, he first detected every person in and around the academy, wondering if rumors he had heard were true. If two sensors stood close... Hesitantly, he placed a palm down on her shoulder. The gasp she released was comical, her jaw going slack.
The Senju smirked, the images his abilities fed him flowing into her. They stood there in the snow, everything else fading away to the two of them. "Kikue can see!" she cried. "She can see! So many colors."
Tobirama removed his hand, placing one on his hip as he settled his focus on the top of her head. "And?"
"If Kikue trains she'll be able to do that on her own?"
"Ideally."
He didn't bother telling her that all sensors saw slightly different things. It was enough that she was excited by the prospect of learning. "Please Red Eyes-sensei! Please train Kikue."
That brought a small twitch to said eye, but given that she was an easily excitable and unrefined child, he would allow it for the time being. "My training won't be easy. You'll be pushed to whatever limits you've established."
"Kikue doesn't mind. She just wants to see all the colors again."
"Fine. Then I'll inform Tsuba of the arrangement."
Somehow, on that nippy winter day, he had found a trainee in an energetic Kaguya child. Hashirama was never going to stop gushing over this...
There absolutely had to better ways Mizuchi could pick to reach her. The early morning light of dawn hadn't even broken over the village, and Sakura raised her head and rubbed her eyes, instinctively knowing the splitting headache she possessed was no coincidence. "I'm up," she slurred, patting down the messy tangle of hair on the side of her head and then giving up. It was too early and too cold for effort.
"It took you long enough."
Sakura smacked her lips, mouth unbearably dry. "You sound...close." Her vision was still mostly blurry, but there was no missing the unearthly power she had grown familiar with.
"You'd notice why if you only drew your eyes upward."
When Sakura saw Mizuchi sitting on her floor, her long black hair spilling around her and Usamaro curled comfortably on her lap, she had to do a double-take. All grogginess instantly surrendered itself to her pointed need to know exactly what was going on. "You're...you're here." she said lamely. And then with added emphasis, "You're here!"
The goddess looked like she was only just holding on to the urge to roll her eyes. "So we've both established,"
"Shuffling herself so that she was on top of the futon, legs curled underneath her, Sakura leaned forward. "Why?"
"An excellent question with a simple enough solution. I need to be. They are on the move, I'm afraid, and it's going to require we prepare counter-measures sooner than I had hoped we would need them,"
"They?" Sakura yawned and shoved a hand through her disheveled hair. "I'm going to take a small guess and say you're talking about these...other deities you said wanted to wipe out any of Kaguya's descendants."
"Yes, among other plans they have for humanity. It is highly likely you will be engaging another such entity in combat soon. And unlike Yama, they will not feel inclined to acts of great generosity. Thus, prepare for situations escalated far beyond your imagining."
"I don't like the sound of this." Sakura admitted, "I still barely have a handle on the Dragon State, and I don't think I could stand up to...that...right now."
Mizuchi's face was unreadable as she continued to pet the purring feline, stretched shamelessly on her lap. "At the least, you will require adequate weaponry. Ordinary human crafting could never hope to deal true damage against an immortal."
"It would probably be too optimistic to ask if you have something already prepared."
"I am a goddess of rivers, so weapon-making is far from my specialty," she said. "However, there is one among us whose work is unparalleled. He is who you will seek out."
"One...among us? Are you saying he's a god?" Sakura couldn't understand why Mizuchi thought it could be a good idea.
"Yes, he considers himself a neutral party to the Heaven's affairs, but with the right prompting, I believe he will be willing to provide aid."
"That sounds...risky." Sakura gulped. "There's a lot riding on him agreeing to that, and if he doesn't there's a lot more danger."
"The true danger is in doing nothing," Mizuchi growled, eyes flashing. Usamaro tumbled from her lap as she stood. "Sakura, you must understand the severity of what allowing my enemies, our enemies, to win would mean. Nothing as you know it would be left unscathed. Consider that carefully."
Sakura shifted nervously, clenching and unclenching the fabric of her futon. Mizuchi was adamant that this was a gamble they needed, and Yama had also warned that he was not the only one hunting them. Erika had been trouble, and to think even more powerful celestials were closing in was...disturbing to say the least.
"W-What do I need to do in order to get one of his weapons?"
Mizuchi's red lips pulled into a smile that flashed a hint of pronounced fangs. "The god of blacksmithing is an elusive deity that prefers isolation. He has remained quiet in his solitude for some time. But I have found his location to be in a mountainous region not far from here. You will travel there and we will appeal to him for a weapon for you to wield."
"A-Alright," she rubbed at her arm. "Assuming he doesn't refuse," Sakura paused. "I know we can't wait, but traveling through winter always slows a journey down."
"A point I had already considered," Mizuchi nodded, finger to her chin. "I will use my powers and manipulate the weather, drawing the land into an early spring."
"You can do that?" Sakura stared in alarm. "H-Have you been doing that?"
The goddess scoffed, plopping herself on the trunk near the futon. "My control over weather is not as strong as other gods, but it will be enough, yes. You may have noticed the fluctuation in the seasonal weather patterns in this land. That was at least partially due to the activity of myself and other deities."
It made sense suddenly why summer had lasted so long into fall when Sakura had arrived, and then why winter had slammed into them as if barely kept at bay before. 'How much of our world do they already control? The seasons, blights, the dead... if they've already got so much power over human lives and nature itself, consolidating it would mean...'
Mizuchi may have been forceful about it, but she had a point. Sakura couldn't stand by and allow her world to be subjugated anymore at the fickle wills of deities. "Will nature really be okay?"
The elegant woman moved her dark hair over one shoulder, exposing a pointed ear. "In time," she said nonchalantly. "In the days of old, during some of the fiercer tempers, gods and goddesses of seasons have caused far worse. We cannot worry too much about that, only procuring the weapon. Another big flux will be more likely to draw attention from those who will recognize the signs for what they are, but it is a weighted risk that needs taking."
Finally climbing out of bed, Sakura rubbed her forehead. As long as she remained in the past, these dangerous tasks would be a regular occurrence. Understanding that didn't make the rate at which they were sprung on her any easier to cope with. "When do I get started?"
Very quickly, I'd just like to thank guest commenters who go above and beyond to leave very thoughtful reviews. I can never reply to you directly, but reading through the long ones that are so excited over updates gives me excitement too. A few worried about being too long? No such thing for me. lol And to answer the question I received, yes, I do repost this story over on AO3 so that account is also me. However, if this story is found in part or in full posted by anyone else, please let me know.
IzuSaku had another angst-fueled "moment" here and shit sort of got real. A lot of people have asked how Madara would eventually warm up to the idea of sharing a lover as he comes across the possessive type to a lot of people. I try to include very subtle nods to the fact that his feelings on that may not be what others would expect. He ruined his brother's moment not so much out of jealousy, but more the fact that he would like to be a third wheel in such moments and if he doesn't get his invite it's not happening.
Lots of people wanted Sakura to reach out to Naoko about her boy troubles, among…other things…and I had already been considering a scene like that because I agree, Naoko just seems like the right person for the job. She's steadily becoming an even more nuanced character than I originally thought she'd be, but I'm happy for her. Haha
Sakura also finally got to show what she can do at the academy! If you noticed the little girl introduced in this chapter, Biwako, is the same one that Madara accidentally scares in the anime, and the one who becomes the Third Hokage's wife much later. She also becomes a medic whose skills were recognized enough to be one of the few entrusted to help Kushina give birth. See where I'm going with this?
This was the last semi-filler chapter that happened in the break between the last arc and this new one. Next chapter officially kicks off the next big cycle for this story. TobiSaku time, bitches.
Also, people keep trying to figure Mizuchi out and that's endlessly amusing from this end. Glad so many have invested into the sort of friendly but fierce, near mother-daughter relationship that is starting to form between her and Sakura. At times I'm sure Mizuchi takes actions that seem excessively harsh or just frustrating but it's important to remember that in many, many cultures, the temperaments of higher beings are said to be whimsical, often self-serving, and most importantly beyond mortal understanding. She's complicated for a reason and also harder to really apply human morality to in the sense that a divine being does not answer to the standards of right and wrong humans do. I definitely consider her a morally gray, chaotic neutral force. XD
Reviews feed the muse—until next time~
