(2022/08/08): Hey everyone - I'm back!

I was very busy this summer with life-things so I didn't have much time to invest in writing. However, things are getting better, albeit very slowly, so I was able to get back into the groove and finish this chapter which was sitting in my WIPs folder since April. This chapter follows Sasuke's POV and the next chapter will be third-person omnipresent like the chapters of the previous fic in this series, Sand and Snow. Chapters 17 and 18 will be posted within a few weeks, given that their drafts will be done soon - but after that, I may take a break from writing again to focus on my mental health. I have no idea - writing helps me focus on things so I may still be fully invested but it's hard to tell right now. Regardless, thank you all for continuing to read my work - I appreciate it so much!

For those of you who use tumblr, I have a blog and you can follow me for writing updates via aela-targaryen

As always, thank you for reading xx

Chapter 16
Sasuke III

The air was thick with the salt of the roaring sea.

Waves smashed against the ship's carved wooden planks in a spray of frigid mist while the wind battered the sails overhead. Sasuke managed to convince the ship captain to allow them to board, as the waters were too dangerous for shinobi to cross using their chakra. He showed the old sea-farer a bag filled with ryō before he could object to the notion, and the bribe was accepted with an astonished look and an exchange of silence from the new passengers. Sakura initially opposed the bribe, saying they took advantage of a starving man. It seemed that the captain was a trawler by trade, but many barrels of cargo seemed to make their home on the deck.

Spices and wine.

Once Sasuke saw the barrels, he ignored Sakura's concern and took out his coin.

Another large wave rammed the bow, rocking the vessel as the winds howled. Sakura was inside the cabin away from the frost and brine, while Sasuke remained on deck watching the seas as the captain hobbled about tending to rope and checking the many barrels that lined the taffrails. It would be at least eight hours until they made it to port, but their destination required haste.

Since the detour to Sunagakure, Sasuke's mission had been sidetracked. Tenbu managed to get right under his nose, and not even his visual prowess saw it coming. Just the mere thought angered him. But from that anger came the motivation to decode who and what they were – and what they wanted. His original mission was to determine if the ancient Ōtsutsuki clan was able to return to Earth, but Tenbu threw a wrench in his path of investigation. Nature energy, blood seals, and an obsession with those with Kekkei Genkai. The clues reeked of a hunger for power – that, he was certain.

Perhaps the Kekkei Genkai-hoarder Oyashiro knew something, he thought, Or someone.

He left Suna as soon as he could – much to Sakura's dislike. She thought it would be rude to leave so soon after what they did to save the she-wolf and her newborn. A part of Sasuke agreed, but he knew the mission came first. And it always did. He thought of the rook he found, the strange carvings that detailed the relict burned into his Sharingan sight. A symbol entangled itself around the wood, appearing in some ancient language he did not have the knowledge to understand. It appeared like the character for 'air,' but the uncertainty made him wary of making assumptions. He almost regretted giving the rook to Gaara, but he believed it suited his hands better. After all, why bother holding onto it if he had his Sharingan and Rinnegan sight? Of course, Orochimaru would be the type to know of such things, but Sasuke was tired of consulting a snake – and so soon after his last trek for knowledge.

Visiting him might spur him to turn, he thought, This is all powerful jutsu… and I have enough on my plate to deal with aside from him.

Snakes belonged in the grass – not at the door.

"The seas are rough this time of year, sir," The captain warned. "Only cargo ships are permitted to venture to the Land of Snow in these conditions… or trawlers, such as myself."

The seafarer's raspy voice interrupted his train of thought.

Sasuke glanced at him from the cover of his cloak's hood. "You're a smuggler, not a trawler." The captain jolted, stunned. "You transport contraband. These spices and wine are not yours… or from the Land of Earth. They're missing their symbols."

"Listen here, stranger! Don't think you can go snooping around -," The moment the bearded man saw the gleam of his Sharingan, he immediately froze. "F-Fine! But I'm not hurting anybody. This cargo wasn't stolen! I was paid for this job! I'm no damned pirate! Shipping this cargo is the only way I can afford to live… it pays decent, better than peddling on the streets."

"Where did you obtain it?"

"What?"

Sasuke turned back to the grey horizon, annoyed. "The cargo." He sensed the captain's chakra stiffen, growing uneasy. "You said you didn't steal it… so who gave it to you?"

"I… I can't speak of my clients. Smuggler's code, and all." The man confessed, his chakra shaken and on guard. When Sasuke turned back to meet his face, the man jolted and quickly averted his eyes. "They were cloaked, all black garbs. I couldn't see their face, but they had a man's voice. The man was… taller than most – and carried a strange, curved blade. He offered me a year's salary for this single trip to the isle once he heard I could smuggle." He held his head low, shamefully. "My wife is… very sick, and my children are all gone. Our village is very poor, so how could I oppose such a generous offer?"

Sasuke did not say anything.

Turning on his heel, his cloak whipped violently in the harsh winds as he started for the cabin. I don't want to feel sympathy for you, old man. You're a smuggler and a fool. But still… - Sasuke pushed aside his thoughts and shuttered the cabin door behind him. By a small lantern, Sakura was writing a letter with her sleepy green eyes appearing a deep emerald that reminded him of a forest. She must be writing to her parents. He wondered what it felt like to have a family waiting for him at home. He knew once. Brushing aside the notion, he turned to the hangers and removed his cloak from his shoulders. Hearing him approach, Sakura rested her chin upon her hand, and her body relaxed forward at the small makeshift table near two straw futons. When she saw him, she smiled softly and pretended not to be so tired.

"Are we close?"

Sasuke shrugged, putting his cloak on the hanger to dry. "We're still far off. We won't see land until the first break of dawn."

"Hm…" She sighed, leaning forward on her folded arms as if to rest. "That's expected, I guess. At least we can get a good night's sleep indoors rather than out on a plateau somewhere."

Sasuke wished his concerns were that trivial. Sakura gave up her comfortable life in Konoha to be with him. She travelled through rugged terrain and hostile encampments for nearly a year and slept on moss and leaves in bamboo forests. She left behind her civilian parents – her family – and her stable position as a head-medic in the hospital's mental health ward – all so she could accompany him. It pained him to be reminded of what he took from her, despite never asking in the first place.

I've told you countless times this isn't your burden to bear, yet you… - he shrugged off the thoughts and stood against the planked wall in solitude.

He wanted to tell her to leave, go home, and return to her ordinary life – but he knew if he brought it up, she would grow stubborn and firm her stance even more. He only anticipated her journeying with him for a few months, but with the evidence mounting of Tenbu's return, the mission was no longer safe for those clinging to ordinary lives. Tenbu proved it when they tried to slaughter a woman in childbirth. After that, no one was safe – not even the inheritor of the Sannin, Princess Tsunade and her prowess. Sakura was better left out of things, and Sasuke could accept the risks, whether life or death. It did not matter to him, for they were his burdens – not hers. He could not fathom Sakura getting caught up living a life on the road, in the wilds.

And some enemies desired his Sharingan and Rinnegan eyes.

Glancing briefly, he saw her finish her writing and fold it neatly into an envelope. A pang of guilt swelled in his chest and a sense of sorrowful longing. But against what his heart wanted, he decided this journey over the rough northern seas would be their last together, and they could part gently before his eventual return to the village.

She would be safe there, he decided, looking away, She doesn't need any more suffering. I've done enough to her as it is… I don't want any more regrets.

Sakura eyed him, curiosity shining in her wary glance. "What is it, Sasuke?"

He averted his gaze from her, feeling almost shameful. "You didn't have to come, you know. You could have stayed in Konoha if you… missed them."

"Oh," From the glimmer of her eyes in the lantern light, he could tell she was writing to her parents. Tucking away the small envelope into her worn pack, she tsked. "Like I said, I'm not letting you take on this burden alone!"

"This isn't your burden to bear."

"It is!"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at her, confused. "How? These are my sins -,"

"Sasuke," She spoke, her voice calm and her expression soft. Empathy marked itself in her glance, a deep empathy. "Do you remember that night when you left the village?" Her gaze drifted down to her lap, her green eyes solemn, but her lips smoothly curved into a light smile. She held her hands onto her lap as if to keep herself from shedding a tear. A gentle laugh passed her lips, and she closed her eyes – shielding herself. "We were only kids back then… but even so, what I said to you rings true for me even to this day."

It had been years.

On that cold empty night, Sasuke had nothing but the thirst for power dwell within his throat and a desire for vengeance that darkened his heart. Orochimaru was waiting for him a realm away – the only thing standing in his path was his attachment to Konoha – his past life. For he was an avenger, destined for revenge and vengeance. Leaving the village had been easy for him. The only guards that were about were on border patrol, and the previously failed invasion by Sunagakure and Otogakure left their numbers dwindled. The streets were silent save for the winds that blew, and not a single light greeted him as he passed the shops and storefronts that slept the night away. He made it to the gates unscathed and undetected – until he heard her cry out his name.

"You told me you were alone back then, and now I understand what you mean." She confessed, tears streaming from her shut eyes. "I have… family, friends… but Sasuke, if I lose you -," She choked back a sob, her shoulders shivering. "It'll be just the same as me being alone!"

He remembered scoffing at her words, only for her to shout at his back.

"Sasuke, I'm so in love with you that I can't stand it!"

And then he was reminded – she loved him still, after all these years of heartache and separation.

All he offered in return was silence and neglect – and for that, he felt a shame sink into his heart. He met her eyes and tried to formulate the words to explain everything – and anything to her. But he did not know where to start, as he closed himself off from the world and others for so long. To open himself, to be vulnerable, was something he never once thought he would do. But tonight, he was choosing to open for the sake of her.

"Sakura,"

She stood from the table and walked toward him. Meeting his mismatched eyes of blessing and a curse, she stood timidly, looking up with a glance that held utmost devotion and care. Love. Through her emerald eyes, he saw her trust in him – her faith. He wondered if she could sense his unguarded heart.

"I love you, Sasuke. No matter what burden you must bear, I will bear it with you." She smiled gently – a warm, kind smile. A shy laugh passed her lips, leaving her to avert her glance. "That's what love is, right? Supporting each other -,"

His arms had already embraced her by the time his mind could process her words.

Holding her close, Sasuke buried his face into the crook of her neck under a shroud of rose strands. Her warmth, the feel of her close, and the sweet scent of her hair were everything to him. Startled by the gesture, Sakura was frozen for a brief moment before wrapping her arms around his neck in return. Her hold was smooth, gentle, and felt as he had always imagined. They embraced in shared silence, opening up together for the first time.

"Sasuke -," She breathed.

When they parted, Sakura only had to meet his eyes for him to put his lips to hers.

Returning his affections, she placed a hand on his cheek and kissed him softly. His hands cupped her face, and he felt his chest swell with warmth like no other. To be so close to her, to have her, to love her – his troubling thoughts all but left him as he kissed her with as much affection as he could fathom. Before he knew it, he pinned Sakura to a wall while his hands wandered towards her waist, and she welcomed every moment.

Pulling away, Sasuke eyed her blushing face with regret. "You have no idea how I've tried to kill every part of me to not love you back…" He confessed, his voice low. "I was lying to myself all these years… I'm sorry, Sakura."

"It's okay," She assured, her voice near whisper-like. "I know why… You didn't want me to get involved."

He gazed into her eyes, and he felt the regret wash away. "But now, I can't lie to myself any longer." Tenderly, he placed a hand on her cheek. "Sakura, I love you…"

With a gentle smile, she held his hand in hers and met his face. "Then we should start by being honest."

Sasuke's lips curved into a light smile, warmed. "Done."

Their lips met under the lantern light, embracing each other under the mortal coil. A creak sounded above, and he gently pulled away and stepped back. The captain's chakra was approaching, and he did not intend to share anything more of what they were to their smuggler. Sensing the old man's steps grow, he started for the door and his cloak.

He turned back to Sakura, her cheeks reddened but expression bewildered. Cautious, it seemed. "You should get some rest. I need to check on things…"

Timidly, she nodded. She dimmed the lantern and soon crawled into the straw futon closest to her. Pulling the blanket up to her chin, she gave a warm smile. "Goodnight, Sasuke."

Fastening his cloak, his fingers paused as he heard her words.

Standing by the door, his glance lingered upon her nestled within the straw and sheets. He laid bare the affections he had for her and fully accepted there would be no escape. He was a missing-nin reformed, a man on a quest for retribution to protect the world he once wanted to be destroyed. A target for enemies and Kekkei Genkai collectors alike. And despite the world, he loved her above all else. He knew deep in his heart it would be a painful relationship to be separated for many months, but a part of him believed and understood that Sakura knew the stakes – and accepted those, too.

She fell asleep soon after, her breath humming softly.

Sasuke smiled lightly at her from the cover of shadows. "…Goodnight."

And he returned to deck to face the cold and brine of the treacherous waters.

The Land of Snow.

An odd place to reminisce for Team Seven, given the mission to protect the princess Koiyuki Kazehana – the daimyo and world-renowned actress. They did not arrive to sightsee or meet the now-seasoned daimyo of the lands. However – they had a different reason. When they made port that break of dawn, the captain said nothing to them while they stepped off onto the harbour shrouded in their warm cloaks.

Sasuke kept his glance firm ahead as they descended into the frozen sewers below, hidden from all the merchants and townsfolk who crowded the busy port. It was pitch black, with no signs of life other than the odd rat that dared to scurry in the unknown shadows. The tunnel was secret to all except those who knew – and Sasuke was determined to keep it that way. As of late, Sakura was good at keeping secrets, but he did not yet divulge what they came there to do – or where they were going.

If he did, she would not have come and argued against it.

And he did not want any unnecessary headaches.

As the darkness crept close, Sasuke activated his Sharingan. A stumble in her steps, Sakura tripped over something and grasped his arm tight while she gave a quick yelp. The noise alarmed him slightly, but he did not stop her from holding onto him – he welcomed it, almost. Just as he welcomed her to him the night before.

"Are you alright?"

Sakura nodded quickly, her glance flushed and averted. "Keep going. I'm fine!"

And so they continued.

The trek in the darkness felt as if hours had passed, but soon enough, they saw a torch lit by a shanty ladder covered in old moss. Sasuke ascended the ladder first, then reached down and extended a hand to Sakura – which he shyly accepted. Her grasp from her gloved hands was firm, and she ascended the ladder with no issue. He knew she did not require help, but a part of him would always worry about her well-being. He wondered if that was what having love for someone felt like, after all those years of feeling nothing in his heart but hatred and grief.

Turning back as his Sharingan faded from his eye, he saw the short, tiled hallway that lay behind them and the wooden door that was their final entryway to cross. A small lightbulb dangling from a chain above was the only source of light that lit the dark hall, and already he could sense the chakra of hundreds of onlookers beyond the door. Knowing what was on the other side made his blood boil. He had already dealt with the fighting pits before, but yet again, he was drawn to a wretch of a person he never wanted to associate with again.

Oyashiro.

A tall, lean man of pale blond hair and eerie purple eyes, Oyashiro was – by all intents and purposes – a man who should have been locked away in the Blood Prison years ago. What had drawn Sasuke to him in the past was the case of the Exploding Humans, a grisly ordeal that disrupted his assignment longer than he anticipated. A waste of time, he reminded himself, And still he roams freely like the bastard he is – undisturbed by the Kage who couldn't care less. But he had to remember that Orochimaru was a free man as well.

And the snake had done far worse things than the 'collector'.

Before Sakura could say anything to disrupt the silence, Sasuke turned back to meet her curious glance. "Sakura, I need to tell you what you're about to see." He began, resigning his anger. "This is a place you can't – under any circumstances – tell Kakashi or anyone about. Not even Naruto."

"Why not?" She rose a brow.

"…Here, shinobi are slaves." The words felt ironic on his tongue. All shinobi are slaves in a way, either to their Kage or foolish feudal lords. Neither care if they live or die… only about how much ryō the mission is worth. He kept his face still, unmoving. "Shinobi as young as babies are stolen and sold to lords across these lands to fight in the Coliseum. They are trained to win, and coin is bet to their name. They are worth nothing to their masters… and are seen only as collectibles, especially those with Kekkei Genkai."

Sakura's face went stark pale, her green eyes wide with shock. She shuddered, and he could sense her chakra grow shaken. She lowered her head, hiding her fear. "How horrible…"

He began towards the door, his steps echoing against the broken tiles. "When we go inside, don't speak a single word. I will do the talking. They are afraid of me but won't give a damn about you." Anger rose in his throat, burning his tongue. But, keeping it at bay, he remained as calm as he could manage as the thought crept into his mind. "…They'll treat you as if an object to auction."

"But Sasuke -!"

"I said no talking!" He paused, whipping his head back in warning. "Stay close to me and stay quiet. Understood?"

Gulping, Sakura held back any words of objection and nodded.

He felt terrible for raising his voice, but it was called for. Where they were going was possibly the most dangerous place in the shinobi world. As he proceeded to the wooden plank door, Sakura hastily caught up. Staying close behind him, Sakura stood silently as he turned the doorknob with a loud clack.

When they stepped out, they were in a rugged alleyway of snow and brick. It was evening – or at least, it appeared as if it were evening. Above the bricked alley, colours were dancing in the darkening skies. The 'lights of the north', as they were called. Although they were in the sewers for hours, the pathway led to a small island off the coast of the Land of Snow and its borders. It was a place for debauchery, lies, deceit, and gambling and was a secret near to all the world. Only those who sought the place were led there, it seemed. The black market surely had its secrets to tell – but only if the right ones asked for it.

Keeping their cloaks over their heads, Sasuke and Sakura entered the streets bustling with nightlife. Drunkards, vagabonds, and conmen roamed the streets freely with no law to guide or punish them – and gambling huts, opium dens, and sake stalls lined every portion of the stone square they could see. Sasuke hated being there. He hated the people, the voices, the stalls, and most importantly – himself for convincing his mind he had to come. A few shouted at them, begging them to stop by and have a drink or make a bet. Some men yelled at Sakura after realizing she was a woman by her figure, leaving Sasuke to glare in their direction. Upon seeing his icy stare, the drunken men gaped and backed off.

He did not even need his Sharingan.

He knew Sakura was capable of taking care of them herself, but she listened to what he requested – stay silent and stay close. If she did not heed his warning, those men would have been flung to the Land of Fire from where they stood. The feel of her chakra as she clung to his arm confirmed it, her hand grasping him tightly as they brushed past the onlookers.

It was a painful ten minutes until they reached the Coliseum.

Sensing the guards who stood idly by with spears at their draw, Sasuke guided Sakura towards the entrance. Immediately the guards stopped them, but when Sasuke showed them his glowing red eye, they froze and stepped aside for them to pass. An envoy met them upon entering the vast arena, leading them to the luxury suite with the best view of the fighting pits. Sasuke ignored all he could, but the crowd's shouting and the blasts of fire against water were too loud to go unnoticed. He felt Sakura tense as they walked by, her glance lingering until he gently pulled her arm for them to continue. An announcer's voice boomed through the loudspeaker above, riling the hundreds who sat in attendance of the fight. Before Sasuke could react, the envoy opened the metal door and directed them to enter.

A clang of metal thundered behind them after they stepped through.

"Sasuke?"

There he is, that wretch. Sasuke could sense his chakra getting closer. With a silent sigh to quell his anger, he threw over his hood to reveal himself, with Sakura cautiously following suit beside him. Clangor drew closer, and soon the one he sought for across the treacherous seas was merely a few feet away. Oyashiro appeared with two armed sentries at his sides, the thin man dwarfed by their muscular armoured figures. When he saw the Uchiha, his lips spread into a thin, vile grin.

"I must certainly say… it is you!" He sighed, meeting them in the corridor. "Have you reconsidered your wager on fighting? A lord from a foreign land is willing to pay top-ryō for the chance for an Uchiha to wipe the floor of mercenaries."

Sasuke held back every fragment of rage and gave a narrowed stare. "I have no interest."

Oyashiro's glance drifted to Sakura at his side, his purple eyes behind his diamond-shaped sunglasses gleaming with intent. A smirk stretched on his lips, eyeing her as if something to eat. "Who's your dear friend?" He stepped between them, ignoring Sasuke. "You're a pretty one. Is she your wife?"

Wife.

The word took him off guard, his rage quelling into bewilderment.

While Sakura grew flustered and averted her eyes, Sasuke set aside his emotions and furrowed his brow at the collector. "No."

"Well, in that case… What's your name, my lady?" Oyashiro grinned, taking her hand in his. "Why don't you leave this rouge shinobi behind and live a life of luxury with the man pulling the strings? I could make it worth your while."

Feigning pleasantry, Sakura smiled. A loud crunch echoed in the hall, her gloved hand crushing every bone in his. It took Oyashiro every ounce of pride not to shriek in pain. "Haruno Sakura." She breathed through grit teeth. "And no thanks."

He told her to stay silent and to stay still, but he forgave the disobedience. It was well-warranted, anyways. Sasuke swore he heard her mutter the word 'pervert'. He could not help but smirk to himself at the thought. She's holding back every urge to smash him through that wall. I wouldn't stop her…

"Oyashiro," He spoke, loud enough to draw the attention of his armed guards. "I didn't waste time to get here. I came here to talk. Can we have privacy?"

Rubbing his swollen hand, the collector peeked back and met the Uchiha's unmoving glare. He sighed, exasperatedly. "If we must." Straightening his back, he turned to his sentries. "Leave us,"

The suite was adorned in fine velvets, cushions, and had all the sake one could drown in.

Oyashiro lay across an elegant couch, propping his feet on the ornate pillows while sipping a glass of wine. "What brings you to my fighting pits if you're not interested in joining the fun?"

Rummaging through his pocket, Sasuke drew out the sketch of the symbol he saw on the rook. "Have you seen this symbol?" Oyashiro sat up instantly, peering closer and adjusting his glasses. "There was an attack near Sunagakure, and this was found in the aftermath." He handed out the parchment, and the collector snatched it away, his violet eyes scanning it hastily. "The same symbol was in the Land of Earth, where a village was massacred. They used a jutsu called a blood-seal, but this symbol has shown up in both instances… so I believe them to be connected."

"That's quite the jutsu to leave a mess of a symbol like that… and such old fūinjutsu, at that." Oyashiro sighed, handing it back. "A Kekkei Genkai wielder, I presume?"

"Nature-energy seems to be the pre-requisite." Sasuke continued. "The ones who have committed these acts are limited to a group called Tenbu. They attempted to assassinate the wife of the Kazekage as she gave birth about a month ago. She also has nature-energy within her blood, so the jutsu was foiled but not without cost."

"Ah, is that the famed she-wolf I've heard so much about?" He clasped his hands together in a scheming nature, near spilling his drink over the carpet. "What a prize!"

A prize indeed, Sasuke thought, annoyed.

Something that began to irk him was the violet of the collector's eyes – near reminding him of the giant beast he saw in the mountains. The same eyes as the she-wolf that hated him so much. Just the thought of meeting her again was enough to make him irritated. And Sasuke thought Gaara was worse enough to deal with. He wondered if all purple-eyed people were just as annoying.

Oyashiro clapped his hands together, rubbing them like a child begging for a treat. "If you're looking to make a fair amount of ryō, I'll pay handsomely for the woman or her pup! With a Kekkei Genkai so rare and powerful, I'd be sure to turn a profit and dominate the fighting pits. No one would dare fight a beast such as that… unless they're mad, of course."

Something in Sasuke twisted in disgust.

It was exactly what he chastised Gaara for back then, for marrying a woman from a different clan. Any children they would have would be at risk of traffickers, assassins, and gamblers like Oyashiro. It was a fate of uncertainty and a fate of paranoia. It angered him. Beside him, Sakura listened with her expression still but her chakra was bubbling to break free and clobber the man. If it were Sakura he was talking about, Sasuke would make sure none would find the man alive.

"Many lords would pay quite a hefty sum for a bloodline such as Ōkamitoko. And the child… there's a possibility of Magnet Release from the father…-,"

"Not a chance." Sasuke cut him off before he could speak anymore. "And if you're foolish enough to contract someone, you're looking at a lifetime of torture in the Blood Prison. Unless the Kazekage finds you first, you'll find yourself buried alive in a desert grave – if he's feeling merciful, which I highly doubt. They'll never find what's left of you." He eyed him, watching the sneering glint retreat in his shielded glance. "Wolves are feral beasts, Oyashiro. You'll only find yourself ripped to pieces if you try it."

Oyashiro coughed into his fist. "Never mind, then. A schemer of the Coliseum never changes, hm?"

He's as distrustful as ever, Sasuke glared. "I'll ask again… are you familiar with this symbol or not?"

"Hm… I don't recall." Oyashiro admitted, peering at the sketch with careful eyes. He straightened his back, eyeing the visitors with a face washed of emotion. But a faint line of pride was sprawled on his lips, a cunning. "However, there's a fighter who uses a jutsu similar to this, I suppose. He's one of Minamoto-sama's fighters… so he's not one of mine. I don't know his name, but he wears all black and is masked from head to toe."

Finally, something useful. "Where can I find this shinobi?"

"Hasty, aren't you?" Oyashiro chuckled. "He's actually about to fight if you wanted to see him in action." The gambler turned on his heel, starting for the door. "Come with me,"

Loud cheers and shouts echoed from the Coliseum's packed bleachers.

The sounds were near deafening as they followed Oyashiro's path to the lavish box. Ahead of them, people moved from the mere sight of Oyashiro and curtly bid a greeting – but those who caught wind of Sasuke froze immediately and silently stared as they brushed past. The fight below in the area was still ongoing, with shouts yelling jutsu names and insults towards their chosen bet's enemy. Then, with a single blow, the fight was over – and the crowd erupted into a rumble of praise and anger. Sakura stepped closely behind Sasuke, and he could tell her steps had grown nervous. Tense. A swarm of empty bottles, cans, wrappers, and rocks littered the stage as the loser was escorted off the arena grounds by a medical team. Sasuke kept his fists clenched under the cover of his cloak, taking even breaths as he followed the schemer to their new seats.

No doubt the one who lost will be punished – he stopped himself from going further, knowing his temper was especially volatile.

Oyashiro sighed, stretching his arms lazily behind his hand while he took his cushioned seat from the first-class tier. Scanning the area, Sasuke soon noticed all the other spectators in the tier were wealthy men and women – possibly all lords and landholders from the many countries that made up the shinobi continent. They wore fine silks and jewelry, and some had elaborate hairstyles that indicated their higher-class status. None of these people are shinobi… they are all lords in their own right – betting on their chosen pawn.

Oyashiro directed Sasuke to sit beside him, but the Uchiha declined and opted to stay standing. If an altercation broke out, he would rather be best-prepared. Following his lead, Sakura stayed dutifully by his side and kept her lips sealed shut. As Sasuke glanced at her, he saw her eyes locked on the arena – contempt swirling in her green eyes. And it was then he realized she knew, too. Oyashiro yawned as if to grab their attention – and to some degree, it worked as Sasuke glanced immediately with his Rinnegan eye while one hand remained on the pommel of his blade beneath his cloak.

"It seems Minamoto-sama hasn't shown up." Oyashiro sighed, twirling a strand of his pale hair in his fingers. "A pity, it is. He never shows. He makes it a point to purchase the best fighters but declines the invite to see his men in action. What sort of collector doesn't take pride in their assets?"

Assets, he near scoffed. Sasuke met his sunglasses, his glance narrowing. "Why is that?"

Oyashiro gave a snide grin. "He may be from a land far from here. As you know, this place is far from any roads or tracks that could make this Coliseum a bustling attraction… so we opted for a hidden sanctuary within one of the most remote areas of the known world. The Land of Snow doesn't even know this place exists… and if they do, they're doing one hell of a terrible job finding it." He chuckled, pouring himself another glass of wine. "Perhaps the travel to the isle is too much for Minamoto-sama?"

Of course, Sasuke thought, retracting his glare away.

Oyashiro stood from his cushioned chair, sneering in intrigue as the announcer below began shouting the names of the next match. He adjusted his glasses as if they would help him see better from such a far distance, his conniving fingers slithering over the diamond-cut frames.

He sneered. "There he is – the shadow shinobi. He hasn't lost a match!"

"All victories?" Sasuke eyed him.

Oyashiro glanced back with a smirk, the eerie sheen of violet shimmering through his tinted glasses. "All of them. And bloody, too."

His words conveyed all that he needed to know. Sasuke gripped his katana's pommel tighter as he looked down at the sparing shinobi. At one end of the area, he saw a tall, muscled man of terrifying brute strength. They were clothed in garbs resembling the shinobi of Kumagakure, and their chakra carried the essence of lightning-nature. At first glance, it would appear that the Kumo shinobi was the desired victor. However, at the other end of the fighting arena, his opponent was a slender-figured shinobi near half his size. They were clothed in all black garbs with crimson light armour on their forearms and shins and wore a black and red head covering that concealed their face. Sasuke saw their eyes – a pale blue that relished in the fight.

And then, he realized the smaller shinobi was the one he sought.

"And… BEGIN!" The announcer's voice rumbled.

The hulking Kumo-nin cast lighting-release jutsu in great power, their steps anchored into the marble flooring. Effortlessly, the shadow shinobi leapt into the air and dodged every attack as if they had done so countless times. The crowd jeered, booed, and cried out as the lighting continued to be dodged, while some pounded their fists into the air and shouted in support of the black-garbed shinobi. Then, sensing the rising of a foul power, Sasuke activated his Sharingan to have a closer look. The glow of his red eye saw every move, every detail – and then he saw it emerge.

The shadow shinobi managed to slice the Kumo-nin's arm as they blocked, the arena gasping. Some stood, others fled to the exit, and some shouted foul play. Beside him, Sakura jolted at the sight, understanding what they were about to watch. That's the blood-sealing jutsu, He realized, Their chakra is inflamed with its power. Before the hulking man could land a punch in retaliation, the agile shadow wrote a seal of blood onto the Kumo-nin's arm – and clapped their hands over it.

The Kumo-nin's arm burst into a haze of red and bone.

As his screams belted out into the Coliseum, the referee stopped the shadow-nin before they could deliver the final blow. As they announced the smaller shinobi the victor, something twisted inside Sasuke's gut. Promptly, he started for the exit, and Sakura briskly followed after.

"Hey, where are you going?" Oyashiro called out, baffled. "Isn't this what you wanted to see?"

I've seen enough, Sasuke thought, keeping on, You served your purpose. I'll come back for you soon enough, you miserable bastard – with the Five Kage to lock you up.

"Sakura," He called. "We're leaving."

The metal doors to the emergency exit creaked loudly as he pushed them open.

And they stepped out into a nighttime flurry.

The guards at the doors did not react in time to stop them from leaving abruptly, fumbling at their weapons as the Uchiha and the medic whisked by to get outside. The streets were adorned in the stupor and lull from earlier, with the nightlife quieting as the skies grew darker. Sasuke detected their chakra from a nearby alleyway, his Rinnegan sensing their presence. The chakra was feathery, coy, and strangely familiar – as if he could sense the she-wolf. But her chakra was feral and beast-like, whereas this presence was nearly all human. Nearly. He sprinted silently amongst the brick buildings to chase them down, with Sakura following closely behind his trail.

Sasuke appeared before them on the snow-covered alleyway, standing merely metres across.

The shadow-shinobi turned and jolted upon seeing him, and their shoulders tensed as if readying for combat. Fear, Sasuke realized. Sakura appeared behind him, suddenly realizing they were face-to-face with a nameless shinobi who tore the flesh and bone from a person with utter ease. She did not say his name and remained silent, her chakra prepared to strike if need be. The shadow-nin crept back, assessing their path of escape.

"Not so fast!" Sasuke shouted, his Sharingan and Rinnegan flaring. "We need to talk – and now."

The shadow-nin clapped their hands together.

A rumble shook the ground beneath their feet, and when Sasuke looked up, he realized the buildings surrounding them shattered into hundreds of bricks. In a matter of seconds, they were being caved in. Sasuke summoned his chakra, tapping into a power he wanted to save from overuse.

"Sasuke, watch out!" Sakura shouted.

"Sakura -!"

Before Sasuke could react, she smashed a hail of bricks heading towards them, splintering them into smithereens. "Shannaro!"

Sasuke signalled to her, his nerves and anger rising. "Get close to me!"

As she came to his call, his Susano'o emerged – encasing them in its tomb of protection. The bricks rained down bit by bit until the buildings were no more. Eventually, it stopped. As the dust cleared and the purple glow of the Susano'o faded, they discovered their target was gone. Damn it, I was too overconfident… and the bastard got away. If he were allowed to kill, the job would have been done – but this task was best suited to capture the shinobi alive. But Sasuke had to admit, he was no bounty hunter. That was a job for the tracker-nin. His job lay with justice and justice for all. A pain shot through his Rinnegan eye, near making him collapse to his knees.

"Sasuke!" Sakura flinched. "Are you… okay? Is it the Rinnegan?"

He bit his lip, quelling a rising curse. "I overused its capabilities. I need to conserve its power…" He straightened his back, breathing slowly as he lowered his hand from his face. "It hasn't been the same since that day in the Land of Claws. Perhaps my body isn't as compatible with it as I thought."

"Tsunade-sama can take a look at it if -,"

"I'm fine." He turned away, wanting no pity. "I'll ask Kakashi to seal it. Nothing more."

Sakura's heated chakra simmered, her brute strength calming while she scanned the snows that littered the rubble-filled alleyway. "Oyashiro was wrong about one thing."

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, curious. "What was that?"

Sakura's eyes narrowed in her conviction. "The shadow shinobi is a woman – not a man."

He froze.

The jutsu, the shinobi, the chakra seemed similar because it simply was. He grasped the pommel of his blade under his cloak, suspicion taking over. And there's only one other woman who knows blood-sealing, Sasuke thought, And that's the she-wolf.

Notes: For this fic I wanted to incorporate some characters from the filler and light novels post-war arc, so I figured Oyashiro would be an interesting person to add to my story. I don't know how much involvement he'll have yet, so only time may tell. I also have to admit writing this chapter made me understand why SasuSaku is a popular ship - and after proofreading this chapter, I have to agree that I like this pairing. I'll never be satisfied with what canon gave us, but that's what fanfiction is for!

The lord Minamoto that is mentioned briefly is named after the first Japanese shogun, Minamoto-no-Yoritomo, who was a member of the Minamoto clan (源, Minamoto). The clan was related to the imperial family of Japan but were excluded from the line of succession. However, that was until the rise of the shogunate during the Kamakura period (1185-1333).