Medusa Javelin Chapter 8: Hope, a naruto fanfic

"Medusa Javelin"

By Nes Mikel

Acknowledgment;

I herby acknowledge that the work of fiction presented here is for my own personal amusement and entertainment purposes alone. Most of the story, characters, place names and other etc stuff in this fiction are copyright Naruto, Kishimoto Masashi, Weekly Shounen Jump, and any others I might have forgot.

For non up-to-date readers, this fiction contains characters and events introduced post-timeskip and spoilers up to Chapter 293. I also humbly suggest reading Garden of Sanctuary first before reading this fiction. Although not a requirement, many things in this fiction will not make sense unless that has been read beforehand. The link to Garden of Sanctuary is in my profile.

With that said, enjoy.

"Medusa Javelin"

"For what searches thou, to travel this far?"

- Eighth Entry -

"Hope"

Reign of the Seventh Hokage, Tenth year. November 21st.

60 years old.

It is obvious to most that the medical system in Hidden Leaf was, and still continues to be, one of the best in the world. Konoha has a system so sophisticated but efficient it has the world's best infant mortality rates as well as the longest life spans for males and females, both ninjas and civilians alike. The village also provides access to universal healthcare – a revolutionary constitutional law that was first introduced when the Seventh Hokage succeeded the Sixth ten years ago.

One of the main reasons for its success has been credited to the Seventh. Wielding her head-of-state powers, she organized the central government in such a way that it provided the ability to evaluate diagnostic and treatment methods for safety, cost-effectiveness, and (almost) always producing the most desired result. The Seventh also devised and implemented an ingenious scheme that promoted the use of quality medical practice by rewarding such behaviour with higher salaries and bonuses for using what is deemed best for the patient. The system also did not limit choices in any way and allowed doctors and other medical specialists freedom to always do what was necessary as long as it was for the best.

These new additions and changes to the Hidden Leaf's medical system unexpectedly brought the village unprecedented power and wealth. The new reward-based medical system attracted countless medical specialists from around the world, many of them shunned and hated by the other countries and Hidden Villages for performing the art of biological science that were considered unethical according to orthodox Shinto beliefs. And so they eagerly migrated to the Hidden Leaf, not only because the village promised them the freedom of practice, but also because it's top medical specialist who also happened to be the Hokage held a stamp of approval from the Emperor himself for medicinal research. This elevated the Hidden Leaf's position of medical superiority and at the same time reduced the medical capabilities of rival Hidden Villages.

The effects from the change did not end there. In addition of welcoming many medical specialists within their walls, the Hidden Leaf also attracted many new ninja clans and civilian families that wished to join the village. The reason was obvious enough – why take chances in joining other ninja villages when Konoha was the place that would most likely guarantee not only a safe life, but also a long life? Indeed, with the superior medical system in place, the Hidden Leaf was now not only saving more lives that otherwise would've been lost in the midst of battle, but also prolonging them. Mission mortality rates were at an all-time low, and with the implementation of four-man cell squads that put at least one med-nin within their ranks, success rates were also at an all-time high.

Furthermore, the treaties signed between the Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Sand ensured perhaps the strongest ever inter-village alliance seen in history. Joint missions between the two villages were commonplace and they established a shinobi exchange program that provided a drastic increase in both of their ninja militaristic capabilities. But what set this alliance apart from others was how open both villages were to each other. They allowed complete access to all of each other's facilities, exchanged information freely, traded goods without duty fees, held the Jounin exams together, and even allowed certain ninjas to wear both Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand forehead protectors at the same time by recognizing the right of dual-citizenship. This new right – first established when the Sixth Kazekage succeeded her younger brother after he retired – set off a wave of inter-village marriages between the two allied villages, further strengthening their bond.

With just a few changes into the system of her speciality, by tightening the bonds of alliance, and with the former Sound Country now annexed and put under the rule by the feudal lords of Fire Country, the Seventh Hokage Haruno Sakura led the Village of the Hidden Leaf into a new prosperous era.

However, one must be aware that the brighter the light, the longer the shadow.

She was not without darkness.

The pain came to her all too suddenly.

"Hmm, Sakura? What's the matt-"

She couldn't answer Temari; she tried to open her mouth to scream, but as luck would have it her body would not even allow her that movement. As bright spots of red were flashing all over in front of her eyes, all she could do was to let gravity take a hold of her as she slumped onto the conference table like a doll without strings.

"Lady Hokage…?"

Sakura distantly heard the surprised gasp of the other village leader she invited to this conference. As her consciousness slowly faded away, she silently cursed. Why now? Why did her past have to catch up with her now?

"Hokage-sama!"

The doors slammed open. Her attendants waiting outside the conference room rushed in to help.

Sai, you bastard. Even after all these years, you torture me so.

They were her last thoughts before her consciousness finally followed her into the dark.

beep

The steady sound coming from the machine and the calm breathing by the four individuals in this room were the only things he could hear as he calmly looked at the Lady Hokage lying on the bed. She looked so peaceful. It was so hard for him to imagine that this frail, young-looking girl was in actuality a 60-year old woman, the leader of the most powerful Hidden Village and its strongest kunoichi alive.

beep

b-beep

The tone of the life support machined changed. He threw a careful glance at one of the women in this room. "Is she coming to?" He asked the woman.

He didn't get a response immediately; instead, the white-eyed attendant carefully approached the bed and busied herself by checking all vital signals on the machine. "…It is a good sign." She said after a while. "Her condition seems to have stabilized, but I'm afraid she won't be regaining consciousness for at least a few good hours. If she-" She trailed off.

A sad smile danced on his lips. "If she ever wakes up. Right?" He finished the sentence for her.

The attendant gritted her teeth and glared at him with all the hatred she could muster.

"Please don't take it the wrong way." He reassured her as he raised his hands up in mock surrender. "I understand perfectly. You have my word that I will not let this news spread. I know it won't do your village good if rumor spreads that the Lady Hokage is currently in a coma she may never recover from. I am only here because I am merely concerned for her health."

A look of doubt was what he got in return.

He sighed. "You doubt me. I guess that can't be helped, considering our two village's past." He tore his gaze away from the attendant and calmly looked out of the window of the hospital room and gazed at the winter scenery outside. "Besides," He put his hands down and turned his attention towards the fourth and final occupant of this hospital room. "Even if I did have malicious intents, I wouldn't dare try anything funny with the Kazekage herself present in this room."

"Hmph." The other woman huffed as she stopped leaning against the wall and took a step towards his direction. "A wise decision."

The Sixth Kazekage of the Hidden Sand. Nara Temari.

"Lady Kazekage," He said. "I'm not stupid enough to make enemies out of not just one, but two of the Five Great Hidden Villages. Orochimaru proved that well enough."

"I see you know your history."

He tried his best to ignore the elderly female's sarcastic comment. He instead nodded and tried to look distant. "It is a pity that history always seems to repeat."

She stepped forward a few more paces until she was shoulder to shoulder with him. She then threw him a suspicious glare. "Should I take that as a threat?"

There was a hint of challenge shining in her eye. He sighed again in resignation. "Must my words always be interpreted as a sign of aggression? I'm only attempting at conversation, Lady Kazekage."

She stared at him for a while before she turned to the attendant standing guard next to the bed of the Hokage. "Hanabi, please, leave us for a moment."

"But…"

"I'll be okay. I'll make sure he doesn't try anything funny against Sakura."

Hanabi's gaze drifted back and forth between the man and the Lady Kazekage, looking doubtful and obviously worried. That soon passed, however, and Hanabi signaled she understood by bowing her head down low in front of her. "As you wish, Kazekage-sama." She then quickly retreated towards the exit and quietly shut the door behind her.

"It's not going to be easy earning your trust, is it?" He said as soon as the Hokage's attendant left the room.

"Our trust, you mean." Temari said with her back still turned. "And no, it's not going to be easy, Raikage-dono."

The man wearing the symbol of 'Thunder' on his head pinched the edge of his Kage hat with his fingers and tipped it slightly upwards. "Yes, of course. But with the condition Lady Hokage is in now-"

He wasn't even close to finishing when Temari interrupted him all too suddenly. "You can cut the act now, Sakura. I know you're awake."

The Raikage was quite surprised when the Lady Hokage obeyed her command and opened her eyes.

"…Temari-san." She smiled weakly. "How long was I out?" She asked. Her voice was frail.

"Two, three hours, give or take. You seriously gave us a scare back there, Sakura. You all right now?"

"…Never better."

"Hmph. I'll take that as a no then."

"Haha… you're bossy as always."

"Of course! I always have keep an eye out for you, you know!"

While the two women shared a heartfelt laugh together, the Raikage was left all alone in the background, not quite know how to make out of all this.

"So, what, was this all just a test or something?"

It was Temari who answered first. "No."

"Then what…?"

"I'm sorry, Raikage-dono." This time it was Sakura. "It's just that… if I wake up in front of Hanabi, she goes all teary in front of me." She chuckled a little. "I don't want to see her like that. It just doesn't suit her."

"But…" He scratched his head. "Hyuuga Hanabi is your personal apprentice and one of the most respected med-nins throughout all villages, is she not? And she couldn't tell if you were conscious…?"

Her smile widened by just a tad. "I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, Raikage-dono."

He wasn't sure if he understood. "I… see…"

She flashed him a comforting smile before she sat up from her bed. She turned towards him and bowed lightly. "Nevertheless, I apologize for having interrupted our conference that way Raikage-dono. I'm afraid I'm not as healthy as I was before."

"…So your seizure-"

"Yes, it wasn't an act I'm afraid. My condition just keeps getting worse and worse as I get older."

"Sakura, you shouldn't…"

"It's all right, Temari-san." Sakura interrupted Temari mid-sentence, reassuring her. "The other villages are going to find out about my condition sooner or later. Besides, it's not as if my strength matters. It's the village's."

"It's still advantageous to make your enemies think you're still strong." The Lady Kazekage reasoned.

"Enemies, perhaps. But the Raikage, he's different, Temari-san. I trust him. He is not our enemy."

The statement took the leader of the Hidden Cloud by surprise yet again. "Er, Lady Hokage, I'm honored you think that way, but-"

He was cut off mid-sentence yet again when it turned out he wasn't the only one that was taken by surprise after all. "Sakura, don't just jump to conclusions that quickly!" Temari half-shouted as her normally upbeat expression quickly turned into that of disapproving concern. "Remember? This is the same village that declared war on your village-"

"Half a century ago, Temari-san." Sakura reminded her. "That's more than enough time. We won't make any progress if we dept on dwelling on the past."

The Raikage didn't miss how her expression turned somewhat sorrowful when she said that. It was as if she almost didn't want to believe what she just said. "After all," She continued once her sad expression faded away. "We managed to stop dwelling on our two village's pasts. Why should this be any different from how we overcame ours?"

"But trust needs basis, Sakura." The blonde Kazekage insisted. "You can't just meet someone for the first time and decide that he can be trusted right there and then! And this guy here-" She rudely pointed a finger at him. "He staged a coup d'etat, assassinated the Ninth Raikage, overthrew the former Cloud government and established himself as the Tenth Raikage and Thunder Country's Judgemaster! I, for one, don't trust this murdering, thieving, lying sonnovabitch one bit. Hell, he even said it himself that you shouldn't trust him so soon!"

"Now excuse me, I didn't-"

"Shut up." She snapped and glared at him. "And your caring, goodie-goodie attitude. I know your type, Raikage. It only makes you that much more suspicious."

"I understand how you might feel about that incident in our village, but I assure you, the Ninth needed to be overthrown. He was corrupt, and-"

"That's the excuse all dictators give, you moron."

His brows twitched in irritation. He was usually tolerant, but this woman was going to far. "Lady Kazekage…"

She snickered. "Oh, what, you gonna show your true face now?"

"Temari-san!" The Lady Hokage finally intervened. "That's enough!"

Frustrated at her counterpart's words, the Kazekage threw her hands up in the air. "Dammit Sakura! Why are you giving him the benefit of doubt? Just what makes you think that you can trust this guy, huh?"

"He's helped me before, Temari-san. That's why."

"Wait, wait, what? Helped? Him?" She pointed a finger at him again.

The Raikage threw her a questioning look. "Lady Hokage, while I do appreciate you showing trust in my attempts of good will, I must admit that this is the first time we have ever met. Unless the help you're referring to is by some indirect means…"

She shook her head. "That's not true, Raikage-dono. We've met once before."

Doubt filled his mind once again, but just to make sure he ran another quick check through his memories to find a match to her face. Eventually he too shook his head sideways. "I'm sorry, Lady Hokage, but I cannot recall…"

She chuckled a bit. "Well, it was a long time ago, and neither of us were leaders of our respective villages back then. And I must admit, our meeting didn't happen under the best of circumstances. I won't hold it against you if you don't remember. I was wearing a mask at the time anyway."

It took him a few moments for the words to sink in, but once it registered his memories finally matched the description she was giving him. "Lady Hokage… you… you were the one from… that time?"

Her lips thinned into a small smile. "I'm glad you remembered." Swaying her legs over to the side of the bed, she then bowed deeply forward, the greatest show of respect a Hidden Village leader could ever show.

"I owe you a great debt in covering for us when my then-superior and I escaped from the Hidden Cloud." She said. "And for that, you have the Hidden Leaf and my undying support, and I hereby proclaim that I accept your proposal for the Leaf-Sand-Cloud mutual-defense treaties - Tenth Raikage of the Hidden Cloud and Judgemaster of Thunder Country, Teradaya Shougo-dono."

"Kaoru-sama, look!" The small, petite woman happily bounced up and down. She was always too energetic for her own good. "The river! It's pretty!"

"Kobi! Behave yourself! You're being an embarrassment!"

"But Tsuno-neechan…!"

Kaoru couldn't help but smile at the how the two carried themselves about. She turned to her eldest lady-in-waiting and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's quite all right, Tsuno. Let Kobi be."

Or at least, she tried to. Tsuno continued to uphold that righteous, disapproving expression. "No, it's not all right!" She exclaimed, shrugging off Kaoru's hand rather violently. "We are in the midst of a diplomatic mission! Our behavior on our part can and will reflect back on our entire village! What we must be is calm, collected, and professional! Not like Kobi and running around the village like an excited, immature child! She's 28 already for god's sake!"

Her harsh declaration put Kobi on the verge of tears. "Tsuno-neechan…! Uu…"

"Arrrgggh! No, no! Don't cry! Don't you dare-"

Too late – the youngest of her three ladies-in-waiting sunk onto her knees and erupted into a fountain of tears. As Tsuno moved in and tried hysterically to comfort her hysterical youngest sister, Kaoru turned to the elderly woman standing to her side. "Please forgive their behavior, Hyuuga-san. They're always, um, like that."

The dark-haired woman with the two large buns in her hair returned her apology with a smile. "I don't mind. It's actually quite nice to see such cheerfulness for a change." She then breathed out an absentminded sigh and looked at the clear blue sky up ahead. "Despite the changes in times, my house is still just too uptight for their own good sometimes."

Ever so carefully, Kaoru stole a glance at the side of the Hyuuga woman's face. She wasn't exactly sure if the mood was right, but sooner or later she had to ask. The curiosity was slowly eating away at her from the inside. As her hands shifted nervously behind her, she decided to ask the question that had been nagging her all day long. "Hyuuga-san… I…"

"Tenten is just fine. If I can get to call the Raikage's matron Kaoru, that is." The matriarch of the Hyuuga clan winked at her.

Slightly taken aback by the abrupt display of friendliness, Kaoru nodded back feverishly. "That's… oh! That's, that's perfectly fine with me, Hyuuga-sa… I mean, Tenten-san!"

"Much better. Well then, you wanted to ask me about something Kaoru?"

"Um, well…" The nervous feeling returned. The mood still wasn't right. She didn't know how exactly this woman felt about an issue that was decades old, but Karou did know that ancient hatreds never really went away. She was ready to call the whole thing off by telling the Hyuuga matriarch to just forget it when the third and last of her ladies-in-waiting solved that problem for her.

"Kaoru-sama wishes to express the utmost gratitude for volunteering to be our guide around the village today, Hyuuga-sama."

Kaoru winced. "Oki…!"

Calm as always, her stone-faced attendant coolly stared back at her. "Was I wrong, Kaoru-sama?"

"Well, no, but…"

"Oh, so that's what's been worrying you?" A short burst of laughter from the famed weapon mistress of Konoha's kyuuninshuu followed. "You're more timid than I thought! Hahaha! I'm sure you and Hinata will get along just fine!"

Kaoru didn't know exactly how she should respond, but she was sure the Hyuuga woman didn't mean any harm in the small insult when she told Kaoru she was timid. So she settled with changing the topic, if only slightly. "Hinata-san… the Inuzuka clan's…?"

Tenten nodded. "Yeah, Kiba's wife. She was a Hyuuga once and it's one-time head. After she was initiated as the clan's leader she abolished that stupid law that separated the Main and Branch families and reunited them as one, and after that was done she then forfeited her right as a Hyuuga, married Kiba and became an Inuzuka, and named Neji – my husband – as the heir of the clan. Well, it's easy to sum it up in a few words, but it was some serious drama back then."

"Oh, I see…" Kaoru replied only half-heartedly. She wasn't really paying much attention and instead preoccupied herself with conflicting thoughts. So it took Kaoru a few good seconds to realize that Tenten was staring at her face right in front of her. "W-What's the matter Tenten-san?" She asked, startled.

"You're worried, aren't you?"

"W-Worried?" Dammit, why was she acting all nervous like this in front of her? She was becoming timid!

"You're worried because I'm an Hyuuga, right? Especially because our clan and your village have shared some… unpleasant history together?"

Kaoru was at a loss for words. She had said precisely what was on her troubled mind. "Er, I…"

"Kaoru-san." Tenten said. She spoke in a formal manner. "Hizashi-sama's incident… it happened a long time ago. It happened before you were even born. That's why when I heard that the Raikage's family was coming to the Hidden Leaf to attend a peace conference I immediately volunteered to be the one to guide you around the village. To show you that at least one person in the Hyuuga clan does not harbor any malice towards you, nor the Village of the Hidden Cloud."

"Tenten-san…"

"I may not be a Hyuuga by birth, but I am by heart. So just relax. Know that there is at least one person in our clan that is sympathetic to your mission of peace."

"I guess… I'm making progress."

Tenten smiled. "You sure are! Now come, there's still much I have to show you around the village!"

"Y-Yes!"

"How was she?"

She shook her head as sat down on the hospital bench besides him. "Honestly… I don't know. Vitals show that her condition has reached stabilization so she's on her road to recovery, but I'm worried, Kono. This is the third time she collapsed this week. Maybe if we perform a few more clinical lab tests and outsource her condition and examine properly the proposal put forward by that new herbal paramedic that came from Water Country-"

"Spare me the lecture, Hanabi, I know all that. I may have not decided to become a medic-nin like you, bit I once was a student of hers too, you know."

Hanabi sighed and reluctantly gave him her answer. "…Best case: she wakes up in an hour or two. Worst case: maybe never."

Hearing the news, the man cursed under his breath. "Shit."

She covered her face with both of her hands as her body sunk lower into the bench. "I… I did everything I could, Kono. I… I just don't know what more to do anymore."

Hyuuga Konohamaru moved in a little closer and comfortingly embraced his wife from the side. "Shh… it's going to all right, Hanabi, it's all going to be all right." He said in the most soothing voice possible, cradling her smaller body in his arms. "She'll be fine. She's always made it through everything so far, right? She'll pull through. She always has."

Hanabi pulled her hands away from her face and revealed her pale-lavender eyes filled with tears. "Kono… the situation's changed. At the rate her health is deteriorating… Sakura-sensei… I don't know if she'll still be alive by the end of the year."

"…………"

"…It's like cancer, Kono, only worse. The backlash from her double souzou saisei caused an endless cycle of regeneration and decomposition of her organic cells, and the reoccurring program that causes it is permanently embedded in her entire biological structure. As a result, her physical psyche is undergoing constant deterioration even after it's been thirty years since she used the technique. Even the jutsu that's keeping her youthful appearance up is crumbling down… and I… and I…!"

He pulled her closer to him. "I know Hanabi, I know…"

"…Guys."

Konohamaru's eyes moved away from Hanabi and towards the person who had walked up to them just now. "Udon. You made it."

The middle-aged man with glasses nodded back sympathetically. "…I heard what happened. She alright?"

He was referring to both Hanabi and their teacher. "Hanabi will be fine, she's just an emotional wreck right now."

Hanabi reacted to this instantly. "I am not!" She protested rather loudly, but not before she realized that she had shouted in the midst of Konoha Hospital's intensive care unit. Her face soon turned tomato red from embarrassment.

Seeing this, Udon huffed and curved his lips into a small grin. "Right." His original expression soon returned. "And sensei?"

"Vitals are improving, conditions are stable, but… you know her situation." Konohamaru paused a bit as he shifted a little to the side to offer Udon room to sit on the bench. "How's the Village Council taking the news?" He asked his best friend once he sat down.

"You want their official reaction or their unofficial reaction?"

"…Both, I guess. Official first."

Udon's eyes became distant. It was clear he was hesitant. "They want to name a new heir before the year is over." He said after a long pause.

"Sakura-sensei doesn't need to name a new heir yet!" Hanabi retorted, albeit this time she made sure to keep her voice down. "Tsunade-sama ruled the village for twenty-eight years: this is still Sakura-sensei's tenth year as Hokage! We still need her, we all need-"

"The Village Council doesn't think she'll last that much longer, Hanabi. And you know they're right." Udon replied coolly.

Hanabi started to growl, but before she could say another word Udon had cut her off. "Hanabi, don't get me wrong. I mean, generally speaking, even the Village Council all appreciate Sakura-sensei for what she's done, both as Hokage and as a ninja of the Hidden Leaf. But the fact is… during her years as Hokage, Sakura-sensei had been applying constant pressure on the Village Council, restricting their influence and power, cutting funds for their personal ANBU units, etcetera, etcetera. They're all not that dumb, you know. They all know that she was pouring in a lot of effort into disbanding their entire organization. They feel their existence threatened with her as Hokage."

"I take it that's their 'unofficial' reaction." Konohamaru said.

Udon nodded. "Yeah. I'll bet they're all jumping up and down in joy inside. And we can't do a damn thing about it."

"What about your wife, Udon?" Hanabi tried. "She's the leader of the Village Council, can't you convince her to give us more time? I'll find a cure for Sakura-sensei's condition. I'll definitely-"

"Former wife, Hanabi. She divorced me a long time ago. Remember?"

"I know that. But she was your wife. You still must have some influence over her."

"Some, maybe, but definitely not enough, especially for something as important as this. And Moegi is pretty adamant about maintaining the Village Council's position of power. And although Sakura-sensei does want the council disbanded, truth is, she's actually pretty reluctant about it. She feels conflicted. You both know the reason why."

Konohamaru sighed. "Sensei doesn't have to feel guilty about Moegi. It was a long time ago, and it wasn't even her fault. Sure, I mean at first when Sakura-sensei took over Ebisu-sensei's position we were doubtful, we all were. But looking back at it now, I wouldn't have it any other way. Not that I wanted Ebisu-sensei dead, of course."

"…It's not the same with Moegi, Konohamru. She was deemed unable to return to active duty and she was replaced. No offence, Hanabi."

"None taken."

Konohamaru frowned. "Pulling her out of active duty was for the best. With the trauma she suffered-"

"Do you think Moegi cares about that? She feels betrayed, Konohamaru. Not just us, not just Sakura-sensei, but by the entire village. That's the reason why she divorced me although I was the one who helped her recover from her trauma. And being Koharu's successor, there's no way I can get any support from Moegi. Just like her grandmother before her, Moegi views Sakura-sensei as her enemy."

Both Konohamaru and Hanabi were silent as they let Udon's words sink in.

"And," Udon continued. "Member of the council I may be, there's little I can do just by myself. And with Hiashi-san withdrawing from the council for health reasons, there's simply no other allies within the council to hope for."

Hanabi slowly smacked the palm of her hand onto her forehead. "Goddamnit… I should've taken over father's place in the council when I had the chance. But why, why does everything have to be so … so complicated…?"

A tense silence passed between the three before Konohamaru spoke again. "Udon, let's imagine worst case scenario. Say that Sakura-sensei passes away-"

"Kono! Goddamnit, how could you…!"

"Hanabi, calm down, I'm only talking about possibilities here. And if we don't think of possibilities, and if – I say if – that possibility becomes reality, what are we going to do when it actually happens?"

"…………"

"Hanabi, look. I know you care for Sakura-sensei a lot, but sometimes… we just have to come terms with the reality right in front of us. Of course I want to see Sakura-sensei healthy, alive. But with the way things are going now…"

Hanabi didn't answer.

Konohamaru understood her silence. He gave her a quick, comforting hug before he turned to Udon again. "Anyway, as I was saying-"

"Worst case scenario." Udon repeated it for him. "You want to know who are the candidates for the Eighth?"

Konohamaru nodded.

Udon pushed up the frame of his glasses with his prosthetic hand. "Well… the kyuuninshuu are obvious candidates, but some may argue that they're already all too old – not that's stopped the village before, of course. Shikamaru-san or Neji-san maybe, but I kind of doubt any of them will be willing to take up the job. As for others… well, the three of us are possible candidates. And then there's the usual batch of people we never even heard about but who just so happen to have friends in high places or are related to certain members of the Village Council."

Konohamaru spared himself a moment to carefully contemplate Udon's words. "In your honest opinion, Udon. Who's the most likely candidate?" Konohamaru asked.

"…It's probably going to be a toss up between one of us or some random guy the council names… but I really don't know. The council does have major influence when it comes to naming successors."

Hanabi scoffed at Udon's words. "The moment some random guy becomes Hokage, I'm defecting from this village."

Konohamaru laughed dryly. "You probably won't be the only one, Hanabi. The Village Council isn't exactly popular with a lot of clans Naruto bro was involved with back then. The Leaf-Sand alliance will most likely go sour too if that happens. Let's just hope the council isn't stupid enough to jeopardize the village by naming their puppet the successor."

Udon sighed. "I don't know, Konohamaru. They can be that stupid sometimes. They're only concerned with maintaining their power, after all."

"Well then." Konohamaru stood and pumped his fist into the air. "More the reason to make sure Sakura-sensei doesn't croak and kick the bucket!"

"While I do appreciate you showing concern for me," A new voice suddenly cut in. "That isn't exactly the best way to go about, Konohamaru."

He recognized that new voice. And to say he was shocked by that voice would be a severe understatement.

"Sa-Sakura-sensei!"

Indeed, there his mentor was, standing in front of her hospital room fully clad in her traditional Hokage robes. She was pale and looked like she was about to collapse any second, but the Sixth Kazekage to the left of her and the Tenth Raikage to the right were lending Sakura their shoulders and was supporting her up.

Seeing her teacher up and about again, Hanabi's motherly instincts kicked in and she was besides her almost instantly. "Sakura-sensei! You shouldn't get out of bed so soon! You still need plenty of rest, and-"

"I know, Hanabi, I know my own body better than anyone else. But before I rest, there are things I must do."

"No, Sakura-sensei! If you must, we'll do it for you! So please… "

She shook her head sideways. "Sorry Hanabi, but only I could do this. What you could do, however, is to escort me back home."

"Sakura-sensei… why? You don't have to…"

The only answer Sakura gave Hanabi was her best smile.

Konohamaru knew that look. They all did.

If we don't do as she says, we're all so dead.

"Wow…! It's so… beautiful!"

"Indeed. Not only are there many different species of flowers in this garden, they are all in full-bloom. Very impressive."

Oki was right. It did amaze Kaoru just how diverse the flowers in this garden were. Not only the majority of the winter-season flowers were displayed beautifully, within the mix there were the spring, summer, and fall-season flowers too. She almost couldn't believe her eyes at how the seemingly fragile plants had broken all laws of nature and defiantly opened their petals into the winter light.

"This is the Seventh's personal garden, right?" Kaoru asked Tenten, careful in her choice of words. "Are you sure we're all allowed inside here…?"

The Hyuuga matriarch only chuckled. "I'm sure she won't mind." Tenten plopped herself down in the center of the grassy open field located in the middle of the garden, where the five of them currently were. "I just wanted to share this place with you. It's my favorite place to be in the entire village."

Kaoru followed Tenten's lead and sat down next to her. "It's just… so stunning. Thank you, Tenten-san."

Tenten laughed. "No problem."

"Kaoru-sama! Look, look! Tulips! Aren't they pretty?"

"Kobi! How many times do I have to tell you-"

"But Tsuno-neechan-"

"They're at it again, aren't they?" Tenten remarked.

Embarrassed at her attendants' behavior, Kaoru could only close her eyes and droop her head down in shame. "I'm afraid they are…"

"Please forgive my sisters, Hyuuga-sama." Oki quietly said from behind. "They are quite immature at times."

Tenten merely shrugged. "As long as they don't make a mess… ah, watch it there, Kobi-chan! There's a indentation-"

"AAAAAAHHH!"

"…Never mind, too late."

"Dammit Kobi! Now you got your kimono all dirty! You know how long it took for me to make your kimono look just right? And I told you… argh! Don't cry again!"

Tenten turned to Kaoru. "You know, could I maybe, borrow your ladies-in-waiting for a few days? Honest to god, my house could use that kind of cheering up sometimes."

Kaoru answered Tenten with a broad smile. "Of course. I'm sure they'll be a great help."

For a few more moments, Kaoru, Tenten and Oki continued to enjoy the scenery that surrounded them while Tsuno and Kobi continued to chase each other around and around. But as Karou paused and studied the flowers that surrounded them a bit closer, she couldn't help but wonder why the flowers bloomed the way they were. She was about to ask Tenten when she suddenly felt a large hand rest on top of her head.

"You ladies look like you're having some fun. Mind if I join in?"

She was surprised at first at the voice, but once she turned to see whom he was Kaoru visibly relaxed. Although she might've never met him face to face before, she recognized this man. He was famous, after all. The former Sixth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, Hatake Kakashi.

"Not at all, Kakashi-san." Tenten answered. "What brings you here?"

"Just out for a walk." The former Sixth replied as he took his hand off Kaoru's head. He instead sat down besides her. "And who might this pretty lady be?"

Kaoru bowed her head. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Rokudaime-sama!" She greeted him politely. "My name is Teradaya Kaoru, Senior Diplomat of the Hidden Cloud!"

"She's also the wife of the Tenth Raikage." Tenten added.

There was a brief pause as the Sixth Hokage studied her for a moment, but soon he extended his hand to offer her a shake. "The pleasure is all mine, Kaoru."

She took the hand and shook on it. "Er, pardon my rudeness, but have we met before? You seemed to recognize me."

To this, the Rokudaime merely smiled. "I see you haven't lost your touch in being sharp, hmm?"

"…Eh?"

He let go of her hand. "I'll be more than glad to explain it all to you, but before that, Tenten."

"Yes?" The Hyuuga woman perked up at the mention of her name.

"A messenger boy from your house was looking for you. He should be dropping by soon."

Kakashi was true to his word. A few seconds later, a man, clad in standard issue Konoha Chuunin uniform arrived on the edges of the clearing with a puff of smoke. "Tenten-sama." The messenger addressed the weapon mistress. "A moment of your time, if you may please."

Tenten nodded and stood up. "Sorry Kaoru. Excuse me for a second."

"Please, go on ahead. Don't mind me."

Tenten followed the messenger as he led her to the edges of the garden. They seemed to be conversing about something.

Kaoru turned to Kakashi, about to ask what was going on. "Rokudaime-sama, what-"

The Sixth Hokage put a finger in front of her to silence her. A serious look domed his masked face. "Just wait. Let Tenten finish."

The conversation between Tenten and the Hyuuga clan messenger soon drew to a close and the messenger, his task done, disappeared. Looking solemn, Tenten returned to the clearing. "I'm sorry Kaoru," She apologized. "My house wants all members of their clan to return at once, myself included. There were still many places I wanted to take you around the Hidden Leaf, but…"

"You want me to guide her around the village for you instead, Tenten?"

She looked surprised at the former Hokage's offer. "Kakashi-san, that's very nice of you to offer, but I don't want to burden-"

"It won't be a burden. In fact, I insist. Please?"

"…Are you sure?" She asked again.

"Tenten-san," Kaoru said. "Like I said before, please, don't mind me. Your clan needs you, and I, for one, would be honored to have the former Sixth Hokage as my guide around the village."

"All right." Tenten said, sighing. "I leave her in your care, Kakashi-san. And don't try anything funny!"

Kakashi only laughed. "I wouldn't even dream of it!"

Giving him one last knowing look, Tenten jumped into the air and soon was gone.

"Well then!" Kakashi exclaimed, clapping his hands together as she stood. "Shall we take one last walk around the garden before I show you around someplace else? After all, I don't want to spoil our reunion!"

Kaoru gave him a puzzled look. "Reunion?"

He didn't seem to be listening to her as he gently grabbed Kaoru by the arm and helped her up. "Now let's see… the dango shop, perhaps? Or the newly renovated Ichiraku Ramen stands? Or perhaps, maybe even the local bookstore! There's a new copy of Icha Icha Paradise I want to pick up! Jiraiya-sama may have passed away, but his successor's work – Kohohamaru – is just pure gold. Oh, don't tell his wife that's he's writing such things, though. She doesn't know, and in the event Hanabi does find out, he'll be killed. Especially if she finds out that he's basing his work on his relationship with her."

Kaoru was utterly confused, but when Tsuno and Kobi came back to her side and she looked into their startled faces, all the pieces finally started to fall in the right place. Slightly afraid, she looked into the eyes of the Sixth Hokage and recognized the resemblance almost instantly. Those smiling eyes. That lecherous attitude. That facemask. Why? Why didn't she recognize them until now?

She was shaking when she asked the perhaps hardest question she ever asked in her forty year old life. "…Bashou… san?"

Kakashi nodded his silent affirmative.

"…Bashou… san!" The weight of the revelation was too much. Her legs lost their strength and she was about to collapse into the dirt ground but Senritsu Bashou… no, Hatake Kakashi was there to catch her. She looked up again and stared at his face. It was true. It was he. "Bashou-san… Bashou-san! Uu… waaaaaahhhh!"

For a few minutes, Kakashi let Kaoru cry her heart out the twenty years worth of emotions she had forced in deep inside her. When she finally settled down a little, Kakashi gently patted her on the head and spoke her name. "Kaoru-chan."

"…Yes? Ba- I mean, Kakashi-san?"

"I'm… very sorry to hear about your father."

She shook her head as she wiped the tears off the edge of her palm. "I never considered the Ninth Raikage as my father, Kakashi-san. The moment he discovered I had no talent as a shinobi, he cast me away like a broken tool and never bothered to lift even a finger to help me. When Shougo-san assassinated him, I was relieved." She looked up and longingly looked into his eyes. "You were the only one that was ever like a father to me, Kakashi-san."

Kakashi laughed uneasily. "Well, I guess I should feel honored you think that way!"

"They are my honest feelings, Kakashi-san."

"Well then, I guess as a father I should ask my daughter this question." He carefully sat Kaoru back down on the grassy floor and placed both of his hands on her shoulders. "Are you happy, Kaoru-chan?"

"I am. Am now."

He nodded, satisfied. He stood up and then looked at the three sisters who looked unsure how to react to this whole situation.

Ever the charmer, Kakashi solved that problem for them. "Why, you three sisters grew up to become mighty fine women! Now then, come on over here, let me grab a feel!"

Dead silence.

Happy screaming soon followed.

New tears flowed through Kaoru's eyes as she laughed joyfully from the bottom of her heart.

Her father hadn't changed at all.

"What a small world we all live in!" The Tenth Raikage exclaimed as he clasped his hands together. "We've known for the longest time that Bashou-san was a spy sent from the Hidden Leaf, but I never would've imagined him as the Sixth Hokage himself!"

"I was sent by the then Fifth Hokage Tsunade-sama to retrieve him in order to take him back to the village to initiate him as the Sixth." Sakura explained. "It just so happened that his cover was blown precisely the exact same moment when I was about get him out of your village."

"I see, I see." The Raikage nodded, taking every bit of information in. "And that's when I met you, when I broke into Bashou-san office when I tried to get him out the village myself."

"Yes, I was the Commander of the Leaf ANBU forces back then. I was chosen for the job." Sakura signaled Hanabi to stop for a moment. She followed it up with a small but respectable bow towards the Raikage. "As a representative of the Hidden Leaf, I must apologize, Raikage-dono, for even daring to send a shinobi to spy on your village."

He dismissed the apology with a wave of his hand. "Please, Lady Hokage, you don't have to apologize for such a thing. It's standard practice to try to plant spies in rival villages after all. In fact, we should be thanking you. Bashou – Kakashi-san rather – had helped tremendously in undermining the Ninth Raikage's authority. So when it came to staging the coup d'etat, overthrowing the Ninth was a relatively easy task. Let's just say, call it even?"

Sakura smiled as she rose from her bow. She was really beginning to like this man for being so reasonable. So unlike his corrupt predecessor. "Even it is." She then signaled Hanabi to continue, and her apprentice resumed pushing her teacher's wheelchair forward.

The six of them – herself, Temari, the Raikage, and her three apprentices – were currently walking in the streets of the Hidden Leaf headed towards her house. There, she had convinced Temari, she would show her the proof that the Tenth Raikage can be trusted, which, of course, Temari was doubtful of. When she explained this to her apprentices they too protested, insisting that they could get this 'proof' of hers for her. But when she reminded them of the 'fun fun traps' she had joyfully scattered around in her house for 'training purposes' when they were living with her at one time and reminded them of those very unpleasant memories they shared together, they too (very reluctantly) agreed. And so they accompanied her, to her residence, the Haruno clan household.

If the Haruno could be even called a clan, that is.

As far as she knew, since the death of her parents eleven years ago she was now the only member left in her own clan. Heck, as far as she knew she was the only ninja to ever come out of the family – both her parents were merchants of local grocery stores, the furthest thing you could be from a ninja in this village full of shinobi.

In fact, she knew almost next to nothing of her family's heritage save the fact that they were one of the many original families that settled the village when the First Hokage founded the Hidden Leaf – thus the origins of their noble status. But despite being one of the oldest families in the Hidden Leaf, she always did wonder why her parents were the only Haruno people she ever knew her entire life – she never knew any grandparents, never knew any uncles, never knew any cousins. The only recollection of any relative was a distant memory from when she was eight years old.

She had woken up one day in the middle of the night after a horrible nightmare. She dreamed of a monster, a horrible monster, soaked in blood, crashing through her window with red murder in his eyes. Just when he was about to pounce on her she woke up from her dream, frightened beyond belief. And as if that wasn't enough, she was horrified to discover that the window in her room was left wide open when she could've sworn that her mother had closed it shut before she went to sleep.

Scared out of her wits, she remembers climbing out of her bed and exited her room to seek comfort in the embrace of her parents. She opened the door to their room, about to ask if she could sleep with them tonight when she found that they weren't there. Afraid that the monster had gotten to her parents first she was about to scream when she heard voices coming from downstairs. Quietly tiptoeing down the flight of stairs, she discovers her parents in the middle of the living room, crying. Unsure if she should interrupt, she stood behind the shouji doors, eavesdropping on their conversation, learning that they were grieving over the loss of her mother's sister. She had been killed.

It only occurred to her much later that their parents were grieving over the loss of an aunt she never knew.

However, never once did she ask her parents about her lost aunt, or any other relatives for that matter. For Sakura, the only family that mattered was her parents, her friends, and her students. She had decided that if her parents wanted to be secretive about the members of their clan – because it was obvious, even to her, that they were trying their best to avoid the subject since they never told her about that aunt of hers even after she had apparently 'died' – they had every right. She was sure that one day the time would come when they would tell her everything. But that time never came, and with their deaths they had left Sakura with no clues to the mysteries of her heritage.

Of course, now that she was Hokage, she held privileges to do whatever she liked when it came to looking through the confidential personal records stored in Konoha archives. And one day, when she finally decided to look through the files that were to do with her family history, she had hoped that maybe, perhaps maybe, she would discover the answer to the question that had been haunting throughout her entire life.

Who was Hyuuga Setsuka?

She expected to find clues in her family's history. If she was related to that mysterious woman that many people had been referring her to, she was confident the confidential files would at least point her in the right direction. But when she finally mustered up enough courage to actually take a look at them, she was shocked to discover that all traces of her family's history had been wiped clean. Not even her parents were listed. According to official files, only she existed.

Who had done this? As far as she knew, only the Hokage held privileges to modify archive records, so the lists of suspects were very few. The Third? Tsunade-shishou? Kakashi-sensei?

…The Fourth?

So many questions. No answers.

There was only one option left to find out the truth. And the opportunity was now.

Her house was in front of them. They had arrived.

"Sakura, are you sure you want to do this?" Temari asked as soon as they stepped through the doorway of the mansion. "I mean, you don't have to strain yourself just to show me proof that this bastard here could be trusted with the treaty."

"Such harsh words…"

"You say something, Raikage?"

"No, nothing at all."

The Kazekage snorted but said nothing more. She turned her attention back to Sakura. "We can do this another day, you know." She said.

"…Sorry, Temari-san. But this… this, I have to."

Temari threw one last questioning look at the pink-haired woman before she shrugged and gave up. Although she knew it was useless trying to convince the stubborn girl, she had to at least give it a shot.

But now that Temari thought about it, this was the first time she actually ever set foot inside Sakura's house. For good reason too – for one, Sakura never really 'lived' in her house, for she spends the better part of her waking and sleeping hours cooped up inside the Hokage Tower or the Konoha Hospital. Another reason – and perhaps the most important one – was that when Sakura was promoted to Jounin and was ordered to shape her students into elite Chuunins, she had decided the best way to go about teaching her students was to convert her house into a house of horrors since her parents never really used the house too anyway.

Filling the house with traps, dungeons, pitfalls and the like, she turned her old home into a death machine that would've made difficult for even the most skilled of ninjas to come out unscathed. But Sakura, she ordered her students to actually live in the house so they would be better trained.

Needless to say, the place had left the three of them with plenty of bad memories.

Temari could see the three of them shifting about nervously as they treaded through the hallway. For now, however, they were safe as Sakura had flipped the deactivation switch preventing the traps from activating – which was earlier accompanied by a look or sheer shock on her student's faces since they apparently never knew such a thing existed.

She tried to look as sympathetic as she could.

They turned another corner in the hallway when Sakura suddenly stopped in front of a certain wooden door. "We're here." She said.

Temari heard Hanabi's gasp from behind. "This place is… sensei's…"

"Sakura…?"

Temari's worried words seemed to fall on deaf ears. "What you're about to hear and see… must never leave this house." Sakura turned and stared hard at all of them. "Do you swear?"

"Sakura, what-"

"Do you swear, Temari-san?" Her face was stern. She was serious.

Temari sighed, defeated. "I swear, Sakura."

Nodding once, the pink-haired Hokage then turned to the blond man. "And you, Raikage-dono?"

"I swear, Lady Hokage."

She nodded, and before Hanabi could stop her, she rose from her wheelchair and gently slid the door open sideways.

The room was dark at first when they all stepped inside. But as Sakura shut the door behind her and allowed their eyes to adjust to the dark, the previously invisible objects slowly made themselves visible. A small green glow at first, it slowly amplified, until the luminous sea green light filled the entire room.

The room, it was a garden.

Astonished by the extravagant beauty of the flowers and their light, everyone was left breathless for a several long moments. Temari eventually decided to close her gaping mouth and mouth her words. "This is…"

"I call this place the 'Garden of Sanctuary'. A replica, through."

"A replica?" The Raikage asked.

Sakura stopped her walking and crouched down in the middle of the room. Adjusting the drape of her flowing Hokage robes, she spoke. "Long ago…I was in love with someone. But when he left the village in order to seek revenge, my friend and I sought to save him from his cursed fate. He failed… and so did I. Eventually, I lost them both, my first love, and my dearest friend."

She paused for a brief moment before she continued. "My friend, he liked flowers. He said that the flowers reminded him of me, and so he grew himself a garden, a Sanctuary like this one so he could preserve his memory of me. It was my favorite place to be in the entire world."

Temari knew of whom she was talking about. "Sakura…"

"I cannot go to his Garden of Sanctuary anymore, my duties as Hokage bind me here, to this village. But I wanted to go back to his Garden of Sanctuary, so I created these, a mock replica of the shadowmoon flowers he grew in his garden. They are nowhere near as beautiful as the ones he grew, but coming here, it calms me. It is better than nothing."

"I think I understand." The Raikage suddenly spoke up from behind. "Those full-bloomed flowers that grow in your private garden you had me tour through earlier today, the reason why they defy the very nature of their glory periods – you had modified them, didn't you? By using the fruits of your research in creating these… shadowmoon flowers."

Sakura smiled faintly. "You're very perceptive. That's correct."

"But why have you brought us here Lady Hokage?" The Raikage asked, advancing a few steps forward. "I admit this is a beautiful place, and although I am honored that you have shared something so private with us, I cannot see the reason why we should be here. Have you not brought us to your house so I could prove that I am trustworthy for the sake of the Lady Kazekage?"

Sakura gazed at him for a moment, her eyes narrow, and then nodded. "You are right. I have brought you here for a reason, for I must fulfill a responsibility that I've been running away from for a long, long time. This place… it's not just a garden. It is also a grave."

Before the Raikage could ask her what she meant by that, Sakura crouched down on top of the garden floor and calmly proceeded to weave through several complicated hand seals in a pattern Temari didn't recognize. When she ended her sequence with a X-shaped seal, she slammed her hands down on the ground and shouted with such ferocity it was hard to believe that she was the same person that had been bedridden just thirty minutes ago.

"Hakoniwa no Genei, Rokushiki Fuuin, Kai!"

A brilliant flash of green light echoed through the entire room, blinding every occupant temporarily. When the blinding light finally faded away and Temari finally readjusted her eyes, a curious sight greeted her. "That's…!"

"That is… no, impossible!" The Raikage shouted, the most shocked of them all. "How could you have it in your possession…!"

Sakura only nodded as she stood next to the cylindrical container hovering in the middle of the room. "The Twin Emeralds, the sacred artifacts of Thunder Country, last seen twenty years ago when they were stolen from the Courthouse Vaults."

The Raikage was at first dumbfounded at the sight, but slowly his cheeks turned red from anger. "You… how dare you deceive us!" He shouted. "So you were the true culprits behind the theft all along!"

"I am not!" Sakura shouted back with almost equal vigor. "While I admit it's true that I had it in my possession for all these years, I did not come into possession of this thing willingly! When the true thieves stole them from the vaults, they captured Kakashi-sensei and I and forced the item upon us! I do not know the reason why they had done such a thing, but if you doubt me, feel free to ask the former Sixth Hokage. I can tell you that he can confirm my story."

"But you have sealed away our sacred artifacts and hid them from us for twenty years!" He retorted, not the one to back down so easily. "What you have done can't be forgiven! I for one will not, no, absolutely will not forgive-"

"Do you not know what these are, Raikage?" She asked, interrupting him. "These Emeralds, they are not jewels, but they are eyes! They are the remains of a man once known as Hyuuga Hizashi!"

A collective gasp echoed through the entire room.

Caught surprised by her latest outburst, the Tenth Raikage Teradaya Shougo stood silent for long moments, only the blankness of his expression indicating his inability to react immediately to this astonishing revelation. Eventually though, he pulled himself together. "Then… I… I…"

Sakura shook her head, the deep crease between her brows showing how she understood his confusion, and how hard this was for her, too. "Here's the deal, Raikage-dono. You will have to accept and forgive the fact that I had hidden your sacred artifact away from your village for so long, but at the same time you must also realize that these artifacts, no, these relics should belong here, in Konoha. They deserve to be returned to their families, the Hyuuga clan. Conveniently," She turned to her students standing dumbfounded behind her. "There are two of them here, right now, the current clan head and her husband. If you can find the courage to issue an official apology to their clan and return them the remains of their long lost kin, then perhaps, Temari-san here could start believing that you are trustworthy for the treaty."

There was a long pause.

"I…" The Raikage finally said. "I will… do it."

Smiling, Sakura then turned to Temari. "Well, Temari-san? Is this satisfactory?"

Temari was smiling broadly by then. "Fine with me. But you sure pull off a hellva stunt, don't you?"

"I learned from the best."

The two women laughed.

Tweeeeet!

The eyebrows of everyone in the room rose at the sudden piercing noise.

"What the-"

Tweeeeet!

"That's the sound of the Hyuuga clan's emergency whistle!" Konohamaru exclaimed.

Udon narrowed his eyes as he cupped his hand on his ear and concentrated on the sound. "It's coming from outside the house…?"

Hanabi was the first to act by throwing open the door to exit, but Sakura stopped her by catching her by the shoulder. She tried to protest. "Sakura-sensei, I have to-!"

"I'm not stopping you Hanabi, I want you to carry me outside. I have to see what's wrong."

"But…!"

Sakura gave her the 'look'. It was all she needed as Hanabi nodded her defeat and carried her by supporting her up by the shoulder. Everyone nodded at each other, and a few body flickers later they arrived safely in front of her house.

A Hyuuga messenger was waiting there for them.

"Hanabi-sama, Konohamaru-sama, Hokage-sama! I'm sorry, I knew you were in there, but I had to resort to using the whistle since I… um, well, didn't really want to step foot into the house."

"Cut to the chase, Hotaru. What have you called us for?" Hananbi demanded.

"Your father, Hanabi-sama! He's condition has worsened! I have been ordered to recall every available Hyuuga clansmen back to the Main House should the worst happen!"

"No! Father!"

The messenger then turned to the Hokage and clutched her hand with a pleading look in his eyes. "Hokage-sama, please, you must help Hiashi-sama!"

"…Hotaru-kun, was it?"

"Ah… yes. Junior member of the messenger ANBU squad riteitai, Hyuuga Hotaru at your service ma'am!"

Sakura then turned to face the Raikage. "It seems that now is the perfect opportunity. I will ask you again, Raikage-dono. Are you willing?"

Clutching the said artifact in his hands, the Tenth Raikage nodded. "You do not have to ask me twice, Lady Hokage."

"It's settled then." She turned her attention back to the young man that was still clutching onto her hand. "Lead the way, Hotaru-kun."

Hyuuga Hiashi lay silently on the futon mattress, staring at the tall ceiling above him. After being administered careful treatment by his younger daughter and the Seventh Hokage herself, he was now steadily recovering from the sudden heart attack from four hours ago. Unable to sleep, he lay there, breathing calmly, collecting his thoughts.

"Still alive, huh…" He muttered quietly to himself. Of all the people he grew up with, he was now the only one left. He felt so alone.

"Would you have preferred if you died?"

He crooked his head to the side to greet in the face of the woman that came into his room. "Hokage-sama. No, of course not."

"You're a stubborn old goat." She said as she sat down beside him. "You're not going to croak anytime soon."

Hiashi prided himself in being a serious man, so he didn't even try to laugh at the sly joke. "Speak for yourself, Hokage-sama. I heard that you too had collapsed just this afternoon. Are you sure you should be up and about now?"

He saw her roll her eyes. "None of your business. Just be worried for yourself."

Seeing that this was going nowhere fast, Hiashi decided to change the subject. "I must thank you for convincing the Raikage to bring back the remains of my brother."

The ceremony for the transfer had taken place soon just after Hiashi had recovered from his initial shock after the attack. But in response to Hiashi's thanks, the Hokage kept herself silent. Only after a while did the Hokage resume speaking. "…You very well know that that's not the case."

"Pardon?"

"Please don't try to play dumb in front of me, Hiashi-san. I know you better than you think you do."

Hiashi was unsure if he should look surprised or impressed. He settled with wearing an expression that was somewhere in the between. "…Since when did you know?"

"It was kind of obvious when the riteitai ranks started to fill up with former Branch House members of the Hyuuga clan. The messenger squads are the people who deal with confidential information the most, after all."

"I see… I suppose I should have been more subtle."

She shrugged. "Can't say I blame you. Not after you lost Hanabi as your main spy, anyway. You didn't want to be left in the dark for too long, right?"

"…So you knew from the beginning."

"Of course I did."

"What do you want, Hokage-sama?"

She answered his question with another question of her own. "Do you know why I came here, Hiashi-san?"

"…I have a good idea."

"Let me spell it out for you then. I returned Hizashi-san's eyes back to the Raikage, and consequently the Hyuuga clan because it was the perfect pretext for me to get an audience with you one on one. Although, I guess that whole thing turned out to be useless since you collapsed and I was called in here to treat you."

"………"

"You were avoiding me for the longest time. No matter how many times I try to request a direct audience with you, you refused or came up with some elaborate excuse saying you couldn't attend. You must've expected me to take drastic measures sooner or later."

"…I actually expected you would take such measures much sooner."

She sighed in excruciation. "…I was afraid. Of the truth. To be honest, I didn't even want to know what the whole business was about, and even now I think I probably would've been better off left ignorant. But when it's staring you right in the face, when it keeps nagging at you in the deepest corners of your subconscious mind, when it haunts your dreams… what can I do? I had to find out. I only needed an excuse for that tiny little spark of courage, and Temari-san and the Raikage gave it to me today."

Hiashi was silent. He couldn't answer.

"Will you tell me everything, then?"

He tried to avoid her piercing gaze. But when she uttered the next two words, he couldn't avoid staring into those sea-green eyes and her luminous pink hair he hadn't seen for so long.

"Hiashi-niisama?"

Getting past the initial shock of the Hokage calling her 'older brother', it took Hiashi a few good seconds to come up with an answer.

"…It's been sixty years since you've called me that."

Although at first Sakura looked surprised at his responsiveness and seemed unprepared for what he was about to tell her, when she bit her lip and sat up straight in front of him he knew she was ready.

When was the last time he had smiled? He was almost certain that he had forgotten how, but when he tightened the muscles around his lips and when they curved upwards and formed that tiny expression of happiness, emotions washed over him. He was smiling. The one expression she had always loved to see him wear.

"Welcome home, Setsuka. "

Sakura emerged out of Hiashi's room three hours later.

Hanabi was waiting for her outside the door.

"Sakura-sensei… is Father…?"

"He'll be fine. He's sleeping now."

Hanabi breathed out a sigh of relief, but she crossed her hands in front of her, fidgeting. She was looking very uneasy.

Sakura rested a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hanabi. I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but…"

Her prized apprentice shook her head sideways almost vigorously. "No, I won't ask anything. I'm sure you had a reason for keeping Uncle Hizashi's eyes with you."

She smiled back. "Thanks."

"…Sakura-sensei, you should rest. It's late, Kono and Udon are already resting. I have prepared a separate room for you, so please, why won't you stay over for the night?"

"…Thanks, but no thanks, Hanabi. I have to return to the Hospital."

"The Hos…! But, Sakura-sensei! In your condition…!"

"What if I told you, Hanabi, that I've finally thought of a cure for my condition?"

Hanabi seemed to lose all of her words with that statement. "Buh… wha…?"

"It's not perfect, but it'll work. I have to develop a drug that will fool my body that I have been cured. In essence, it's the 'joker's drug'. By distracting the reoccurring program in my body it will buy me enough time to come up with the actual cure itself. And the sooner I start working on it, the better."

Hanabi was not Sakura's prized student for nothing. "But Sakura-sensei, coming up with such a drug can be dangerous! Not only will it weaken you severely, but the jutsu that keeps your youthful form will…!"

"Crumble. Yes, I'm perfectly aware of the risks. But it's the only choice I have. Besides, I told you this before. My strength does not matter. Only the village."

"…It's true, but… why have you come to this decision so suddenly? If you've been considering it for a while now, what made you change your mind?"

"…Let's just say, I had a good long talk with your father."

What she had told Hanabi was partially true. But that was not all.

She had to live. She just had to.

Now that she knew the truth, she just had to see Naruto one last time. But with the way she was now, with her jutsu that kept her youthful form crumbling, she now had to come up with something else, something different that retained her youthful form. And for that, she needed time.

She would never dare taint the image Naruto had for her.

Even if it meant it was going to cost her very own life.

- Eighth Entry -

"Hope"

Reign of the Seventh Hokage, Tenth year. November 21st.

60 years old. Year 45 of Imprisonment. Tenth year of Hokage.

Despite my best of efforts I still haven't managed to usurp the stranglehold of power the Village Council held, although their hold was starting to weaken. However, I predict it would take several more decades before some future Hokage can veto the Council decisions and ultimately free Naruto, but definitely not during my lifetime. Perhaps my successor can.

On a related note, I'm starting to feel the full blunt of the effects from the double Souzou Saisei I preformed 30 years ago, and have already been hospitalized a few times by collapsing. Combined with my duties of Hokage and the treatments I've been getting from my apprentices, it has been years since I've gone to Naruto's. I can now barely maintain my youthful form and I predict I can withhold this state for only a year more.

Still, in Naruto's Sanctuary, he was still probably the same age.

I wanted to go to his garden.

I started developing the drug I have been planning on making.

-END-

Author's Notes:

Yes, I know it's been almost three months and it's utterly and terribly late. Heck, even as I'm typing this author's note I know for a fact that I'm not really finished since I haven't really gone over this chapter so I could fine tooth comb the errors out. At the very least, I'm certain there aren't any major ones… or at least, I think so… bah humbug.

Also, due to the latest developments in the canon Naruto manga storyline, I'm going to have to make slight revisions to Chapter Seven since the Akatsuki member wearing the ring of "Hoku" has been revealed. I find it quite funny that the partner of "Hoku" is actually a religious fanatic, thereby actually introducing a religion aspect into the canon storyline, which actually works to my advantage. Therefore, that same religious fanatic introduced in the latest Naruto manga chapters will replace the Shinto Akatsuki member introduced in Chapter Seven. Expect a revision within the next couple of days to Chapter Seven, as well as Eight.

The reason why I'm uploading Chapter Eight without going it over that serious is because… well, dammit, I just wanted this chapter to see the light of day. It HAS been three months, and I have been getting several e-mails pestering me to just finish Medusa Javelin and start on Empyreal Paradox. Trust me, I really DO want to finish this and start working on the other, but dammit, I'll be damned if I release something that isn't thoroughly planned and something of poor quality.

Anyway, now that I have my motivation back somewhat now that my new job is going quite well and is looking to be something I can make a career out of, my hectic studying days are over and I can concentrate my spare time on writing fiction and the like. So Chapter Nine will probably come out quite soon, but do note that there may be… some… distractions. So yeah, just don't expect anything. Right.

Long rant. I'll stop now.

As usual, thanks for reading!

- Nes Mikel