I do not own
THE TRUTH UNRAVELS
ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO
Traveling throughout the Land Of Fire had been a nice escape. She had plenty to think of as she made her way to the Land of the Mountains.
Itachi had given her two years. That ended last year, but now. The last time she saw him he told her he was ready to talk to Sasuke. And that he wanted her there. She couldn't stop the butterflies she felt when he locked eyes with her.
Their relationship wasn't perfect. For the longest they argued about that. While he was ready to face Sasuke, he hadn't been ready to face the village. To see his home deserted.
They had their ups and downs, the main thing they argued about was Konoha. Konoha needed to be held accountable, but Itachi hadn't been ready for that. He wasn't ready to live with his past, but a year ago he told her he was ready to try. A year ago he told her where Sasuke was and asked her to report his well being back to him. Because while he was ready to live he needed to forgive himself for his past first. And it had been a journey. He didn't wake up one day and declared his past was forgiven. He had repented and the journey ended up being beautiful.
And while she didn't want to trap Itachi into coming back to Konoha- she was pregnant. And it takes two to tangle. So if she had to be pregnant, he'd have to come home. Compromises, ya know.
When she exited the Land of Fire, she casted a genjutsu onto herself. One he had taught her and one only he could break.
Kagerō had once been a small village in the The Land of Mountains, unfortunately due to war it was wiped out. A few years ago rumors started rising that Kagerō was being rebuilt. And while that wasn't a negative thing, new samurai from there have been spotted outside the village. All she had to do was go and offer the samurai medical knowledge and gather information about their village and leader to see if their village intentions were clear.
It was an easy mission as long as the village wasn't sketchy, and she hoped this mission would clear her mind to talk to Itachi. She knew at the end of this mission Itachi and Sasuke would be coming home.
She didn't like the fact she had to lie to Sasuke. But she hoped he would understand and forgive her. And most importantly, forgive Itachi.
She was greeted by a samurai upon crossing the border to the Land of Mountains. His helmet was attached to his hip, displaying his long brown hair thrown in a careless bun with eyes so clear you could see the ocean.
"Sakyia Kojin, right?" she smiled at the man as she bowed.
"And you must be Rajun-san." The man laughed and waved her off.
"Thats me and please don't be so formal, Sakyia-chan!" Great, she grinned, another Naruto. They began walking toward the village.
"We've been trying to implant medical training into our training but sadly we lack the patience to learn." Rajun said while grinning at her. "I think it's great what you do, when my brother got sick I tried hard to learn, but then he died and I gave up."
"That's not a good excuse to quit."
"Yeah I know, it put me in a bad place and I know he wouldn't have wanted that. Which is why I bothered the hell out of the boss until she signed off on you!" He shot her a grin as he threw one hand behind his neck.
The resemblance between him and Naruto was so uncanny.
"Ya know, you remind me of a friend."
"Really? I don't get that a lot! I hope he isn't dead!"
She snorted before shoving his arm, "What the hell Rajun!"
He laughed with her while rubbing his arm, "I'm just saying it'd be pretty fucked up if you said I remind you of a dead friend!" He laughed, "But yeah I guess I could have said that better- no filter ya know."
Rajun was easy to talk to and she was glad they were working to incorporate medical ninjutsu into their training. Which would be harder for them, samurai tended to either not use their chakra the way ninjas did, or didn't have the control to use it as ninjas.
"What made you decide to rebuild?" she asked. It was also great that he didn't mind talking.
"The boss was one of the survivors from the war, she wasn't any older than 3 so she didn't remember the place or anything, but eight years ago she found a whole bunch of people who didn't want to live and brought them here. Boss gave us a reason to live. The ninja way had failed so many of us. So we decided to learn the Samurai way. So we built a village we could be proud of, one we could respect. And called this place home."
"It's beautiful." She said as her eyes glazed over Kagerō.
Children ran and played throughout the streets. Women and men practiced the art of head-carrying as they went from stall to stall.
"This isn't a samurai village?"
"No," Rajun said. "If you build a village on violence, it's all you'll get. We teach our children the way of Samurai, teach them how to fight purely for protection. We don't send men out to die."
This. Peace, it was here. And not the fake peace Konoha had, they rebuilt their village- literally into a place where they could get true peace.
Konoha could have it. She was positive.
"You seem in awe." She grinned at him,
"I am. This is… I've never seen a village so clearly at peace."
"It took sacrifices. And most people here have a shitty past, but that's part of it. Leaving the worst behind and gaining peace in moving on."
"You're a village who doesn't judge…"
"You really can't judge people who come from ninja villages." He stared at her, "You have something you want to say?"
"Not everyone in ninja villages can understand that thought. Civilians."
"They can understand being manipulated, which is what kages and village heads do. The mistake we make is thinking the civilians are too weak for the truth." Rajun was a ninja turned samurai, but before that he was a civilian. She grinned, it looks like they had a few things in common.
"It's just… Ninja villages are corrupt, but it can change. The generation who built it, built it on power, but it's up to the next generation to fix that. It's up to them to make sure everyone is included and has a vote in the village."
"Ahh," he said, smirk appearing on his face, "I think it'll be harder to do- we did ours after the village got destroyed. But to do it while there's still people who don't see the problem or won't acknowledge the wrong doings, will be considerably harder."
"It can be done with the right people." She was determined to see that so.
"Yep," He grinned at her, "The boss wanted to meet you, but she's out of town. Whaddu say, wanna grab a drink?"
...
Mai walked the streets in the direction to the village school.
This being the second time this week she had to go pick up her child from school early. She sometimes wished her child took after his father but nope Shun-chan took after her. And if you add in her ability of causing trouble and his fathers intelligence you create a monster.
"KAA-CHAN!" A boy squealed waving out the window of a third story building. Yes the window was closed and yes she could hear him. Next time his father was picking him up. As she entered the school some teachers glared at her while others laughed and said how her kid got the best of her. She grinned while tucking a loose strand of brown hair behind her ear as she made her way to the office, all too familiar where to go.
"Hey pancake." She said upon entering the office as said boy jumped into her arms, squealing about his day.
"So your son made everybody believe a lion was in the building.-
"Is it not, bring your pet to school day?" Shun laughed as she defended him.
"That's what I say, Kaa-chan!" he squealed into her neck.
"Be that as it may, jutsu that is not related to the art of Samurai is not allowed here. And I fail to see how a lion is a pet." He pointed out.
"An exotic animal can pass as a pet with the proper care." She said.
"Kids cried, and wet themselves. Please just tell Shun-chan to be wary of his audience." The man pleaded desperately, way past fed up with Mai and her offspring. She grinned at him
"Hai sensei." Offering the man a bow she turned and left.
Once the two were out of the school, Shun jumped down and began leading her throughout the village.
"You should saw it Kaa-chan! It was so big! Ayame-chan asked if she can have it!"
"Her or him?" He scrunched his nose up before grinning at her.
"Her! The lion was a girl!" He babbled about the lion until he took off running down the street.
"RAJUN-OJISAN!" he screamed as he flew into the man's arms.
"Ahaha if it isn't the one and only Sun!" Rajun said as he picked and tossed him in the air.
"I BURN YOU!" Shun-chan repeatedly squealed. Mai laughed, turning to the visitor,
"I hope you don't mind them, they're still developing their brain cells." The girl smiled at her,
"That seems to be the case with children."
"HEY!" Rajun protested. "Oi Mai this is Sakyia, Sakyia Mai, and this little bundle of joy here is my Sunchan, but you can call him Shun!"
"Hey don't call me chan, I not a girl!" The boy squealed as he was placed on his two feet before he flung himself to Sakyia. "Nice to meet you! You so pretty!"
Sakyia laughed, "Not as pretty as you."
"So Sakyia are you the medic that's gonna be responsible for teaching these buffoons."
"This lady right here is the face of medicine!" Rajun said, throwing his arm over the girls shoulders, "I wish you could meet the boss! She's making a trip to the great villages in a peace offering!"
"Really!? That's so cool! Kaa-chan can I go?!"
"Pancake," she said, taking the boy's hand, "You need to stop hearing grown folks' business."
"I AM GROWN!" The boy squealed before pulling his hand free and taking off down the road. All the while screaming "TOUCHAN GUESS WHAT!"
"Your husband owes me a spar!"Rajun proclaimed as he took off running after the boy.
"Shall I add easily distracted to the list?" She burst out laughing at Sakyia's question.
"Oo I like you, come you'll need a drink after that."
The two of them trailed after the others. Once they stepped through the inn, Mai took off behind the counter and began pouring them drinks.
"I'll take a club soda." Sakyia said
"Club soda? Oh no baby I make the best drinks." Sakyia cheekily smiled at her as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Wait.. oh my Kami, are you pregnant?" She appeared in the girls face
"I'm not far along, but yes it appears I have my own pancake growing in me." She grinned as she reached out and grabbed Sakyai's face.
"I too have another pancake in me."
"Damnit- one pregnant lady is enough, but two?" She quickly threw a paper cup at his head.
"Rajun, say that shit again and you'll be paying triple for drinks." He quickly threw his hands up offering her a peace sign.
"I really just can't believe there will be another lunatic walking around town."
"Who are you calling a lunatic?" said her wonderful husband as he came out from the back room, Shun-chan on top of his head.
"Touchan this way!" He yelped as he pulled his fathers hair one way to the next.
"Pancake, your father can see better than you."
"Don't listen to her pancake." He said as he walked into the table.
Shun and Rajun broke out laughing.
"Sakyai this is my husband-
"Call me Sui!" She glared at him,
"No ones ever-
"Love everyone calls me-
"Mr. Mai, when the H E double hockey sticks are you going to give me my rematch?" Rajun threw in, he smirked.
"It's not a rematch if you always lose." He turned to the guest. "Congratulations on your pregnancy. I take it you're the med?"
"Thats me, and your Mai's husband-
"Oi I'm many things! Bartender, innkeeper, husband, father, friend-
"He's being humble. Mr. Mai personally teaches every new samurai. He taught me back in the day- though he refuses to actually be a samurai. He rather just stay here and wilt away."
Mai rolled her eyes. Once the two of them got started… well it's like watching two children bicker.
"Say Sakyia, how long are you staying?" Sakyia grinned at her
"Two weeks Mai-chan"
"Good! I'll prepare you a room!"
...
Sakura glared at the door the moment she stepped into her inn. Before quickly searching the place for hearing devices or cameras. When she was sure there were no devices in the room she set up traps before she made her way to the shower.
This was supposed to be an easy mission and it should be, but that man!
She felt it. The moment she walked into the inn she felt his chakra latch at hers and he hadn't even been in the room. Her chakra waived and he almost broke her genjutsu. But his chakra pulled back the moment her chakra waivered. And he walked into the room like nothing happened.
He was a fucking ninja.
And she should have known something was up with Shun-chan- the boy wasn't any older than 5 yet his chakra signature was almost that of a genin.
The man was dangerous. And she really hoped he wouldn't cause any problems- and fuck! What would Naruto say if she called a blind man who walked into a table, dangerous.
She closed her eyes and counted to 10.
Rajun had told her ninjas lived here. But he also said ninjas who lived here were samurai, but that didn't seem to be the case with this man. There was no point in panicking about it when she had the means to find out the answers. Once she finished her shower she got dressed and stepped out the room.
She refused to jump or act when saw the man leaning against the wall opposite her.
"I hadn't expected to see Birds here." she narrowed her eyes, had she left her headband out? No it was in a seal on her body. How did he know? "Relax birdie, I honestly don't care that you're here. Just know that I'll kill you if I feel my family's life is threatened by you."
"How can you tell?" There was no lying to this man, the way he carried himself he was ANBU.
"Just as if someone were to perform a jutsu in front of you. Focus on their chakra and pull away the components until you reach their origins." She briefly closed her eyes and sought his chakra signature out. It was barely there.
"We only hired you for a week, yet you told my wife two-
"You're Konoha?!" She hissed. He grinned
"I'll be damned! You picked that up faster than I thought." She shrugged.
"Perfect chakra control." While it wasn't uncommon for ANBU to become missing-nin, it was rare. "Who are you?" he grinned at her
"You first." She smirked. So she was dealing with Konoha's very own missing ninja. And unless he was using a henge, he wasn't in the bingo books.
"You're not on Konoha's hunt list." She said offhandedly, "You should be."
"Goodnight Sakyia." he turned and left. She checked the traps- they were untouched. Just who the hell was this man.
...
"Chakra is a part of your body. You are in control of it." Sakyia explained as she demonstrated how to heal a deep cut on herself.
He sat in the back and listened.
Rajun stood upfront with her, all too eager to learn what she was teaching. It had a good turn out. 12 Samurai had shown to Sakyia's first workshop and the way she was teaching, he was sure by the end of the week she'd have a full house.
While they weren't fighting for power, they couldn't always avoid fighting. The village was already at a medical disadvantage. They could barely care for their sick. Mai had started volunteering at the hospital when they first moved here, now she was one of their finest surgical doctors. It was a shame seeing her go from a fierce kunoichi to a doctor, but they had agreed to leave their past behind them. It was one of the reasons why they hadn't become samurai. That and the fact that he couldn't fight for a village that wasn't Konoha.
Not that he wouldn't fight for them, he would- he had, he just wouldn't make it his career. Not like he had in Konoha. His kids would though. Itama had a knack for kenjutsu and that would make her an excellent samurai. Shunsuke on the other hand had taken particulaly well to genjutsu and had declared he was going to be the first ninja samurai. And what else was he supposed to do then to encourage his pancake.
He wanted to protect them at the same time. To introduce them to being a doctor, or pass down the inn to them, maybe even get them into teaching. Anything that wouldn't make his heritage more likely to pass on to them.
But blood was deep and rather they decided to fight or not, one day they'd realize who their father is. They realized that their father abandoned their family.
And then they'd realize why it was a curse to be of Uchiha blood.
...
Mai frowned as she thought about how her husband has been acting the past few days. He had closed off. And while she didn't particularly want to go digging in her husband's past, she knew she had to. For his sake- because whatever it was, it was bothering him.
And this hadn't been the first time he closed off. The past 10 years had been him being cheerful one moment and cold the next. And it had to do with his past. They had agreed to not talk about both their past and to move on. But a year into their relationship Mai had told him hers- what she had done.
It wasn't something she was proud of nor was it something she was ashamed of, she did what she did so her brother could live. And he had, for the longest he had but fate was cruel. The day she lost him she lost a part of herself but she hadn't been alone. He had been there with her and made sure she didn't grieve alone. A few years later she told him of this village and got pregnant with her first child Ita-chan and here they were now. Ten years later, two babies and a third on the way.
He was happy yes but it was fickle. They made him happy, not the place. He made it clear to her that he had a home, and hadn't been looking for another. They only stayed here for the kids. But she found a home here.
Rajun had become a brother. But she knew this place wasn't home. As much as she came to love it, he had a home- they had a home, she just wasn't sure where it was at.
But she knew one thing. His mood changed when Sakyia got here. And while she wasn't a genjutsu expert, Pancake was very good at it. And while he couldn't put his finger on it, he would stare at her like he was trying to figure out a puzzle. The same face he made when his dad taught him a new game based on genjutsu.
She waited in the office they had given Sakyia in the hospital. She hoped this woman knew something- anything. Her husband had refused to give her his name. Maybe they were from the same Village? She was a key to his past, and she wasn't going to put down the lock.
Was it any of her business? No, but it was her husband and while she had put her past behind her, he never had. He didn't talk about anything- not how he got in the hospital, or why. He said it was amnesia, which she believes. But his memories came back and yet he never once brought up his past.
But it had something to do with Itama and Shunsuke. He named them. She'd name this one but he named the first two.
"Mai-chan, new case?" Sakyia asked as she walked into the office.
"I need to speak to you about my husband." Sakyia smiled at her as she sat in the chair opposite of her.
"He seems wonderful."
"You know him, don't you?"
"I wish I did, he's strong and smart too." She sighed as she leaned back. Something was wrong with her husband. And while it hadn't been like before she could see the signs. It wouldn't take long before he was spiraling downhill again.
"Are you ok Mai?"
"No I- I need to vent, but you can't vent about what you can't speak on."
"It helps me to talk in the mirror, that way I can pretend someone's listening and giving me advice."
"I would have liked it if you said to talk to a stranger." They shared a laugh before Mai fell silent as she looked Sakyia in the eyes. "I feel like I can trust you-
"Kaa-chan," Itama slowly entered the room, and offered a quick bow, "Ototo-chan in the waiting room terrorizing patients." She laughed, what else was new.
"Itama love come here, Sakyia this is my oldest, Itama."
"Itama-chan what a pretty name!" Itama offered Sakyia a shy smile before grabbing Mais hand and pulling her downstairs.
"Pancake! What have I told you about scarring the patients!" Said boy offered her the world's biggest smile, showcasing his missing front two teeth.
"KAA-CHAN" Pancake squealed as he ran to her.
"Pancake your teeth!" She caught him midair as she forced his mouth open. "Itama love, his teeth?"
"Darui-senesi said a kid bet he couldn't bite into the textbook, and well, here you go Kaa-chan." She pulled a textbook out her backpack that had the perfect bite mark into it with two teeth sticking out.
"NOW WA OOH FAIRY COME!" She smiled sweetly at the boy and wondered what the fuck his father feed him.
...
She stared at the scene in front of her, one hand absentmindedly resting on her stomach. She couldn't believe in less than a scene she would have her own little pancake. And she was totally stealing that name. And don't get her started on little Itama-chan, oh that child was so adorable. And Shunsuke-chan! The boy was a ball of energy completely unlike his sister.
It was something that happened to children with high chakra levels who weren't using it as frequently as they should. He'll likely mellow out as he gets older.
She was excited for this baby to come. Only after Itachi and Sasuke came home. And she knew her child wouldn't have the best raising in Konoha, not with his parents' background. But she hoped their love would be enough and he wouldn't care what others think.
"Sakyia-chan, join us for dinner?"
"Yes obaachan!"
"I don't know if-
"Please Sakyia-chan, Shisui's cooking and he's amazing!" Her rejection died on her tongue.
Shisui… The blind man with wild black hair. The man who noticed her genjutsu upon sensing her.
"Well how can I deny that?" She offered a smile and followed them back to the inn.
Every step she took her heart beat faster and harder in her chest. She had to force herself to breathe. It was just a name. A name that had a lot of meaning and respect directed behind it. And it would make sense he was an ANBU in Konoha. And fuck, not the fact his kids names- Itama and Shunsuke- sounded a little to close to Itachi and Sasuke.
The table was already set when they arrived.
"Pancake, Love, go wash up and you can tell touchan all about your day." They nodded at her as Shunsuke threw his hand over his mouth before running upstairs. "And I will take a quick wash up and be down in a moment." She turned to Shisui kissing his cheek as she disappeared around the corner.
"You're hanging out with my wife." he said casually as he flipped the fish.
"I don't think Shisui of the Body Flicker needs to worry." His hand twitched as he took the fish off the grill before placing another in its place.
"And here I was being generous."
"You won't kill me. Not with your kids upstairs. Not when I'm pregnant with Itachi's child." She felt the genjutsu pull at her body. Felt the kuani pressed against her neck before she noticed he had even moved. Then she felt him pause.
"What?"
"Itachi is the father." She spoke calmly, sturdy besides, she was already used to Uchiha's trying to kill her.
But she hadn't expected his reaction. She hadn't expected to get pushed so hard, so unexpectedly she barely had time to coat her stomach in chakra as she crashed against the table sending all the contents crashing onto the floor.
Sakura gapped at Shisui's as his back collided with the wall as he fell into a fetal position, and he repeatedly hissed, "Get out!"
"I? I didn't mean for-
She tried to explain but was cut off as she felt a slice on her cheek and barely registered that she was bleeding, as the kunai collided smoothly into the wall behind her.
"Get out!" His voice rose, she froze. His chakra was thick and while she was used to killing intent this was surreal.
She heard the floor creaking and shot Shisui one last glance before she quickly fled the scene.
THE TRUTH UNRAVELS
A/N-
Yall already knew where I was going with that huh, lmao they never found his body! I refuse to believe Shisui actually died, like whatttttt
Yall I hope yall like this chapter, some real shit boutta pop off now that we getting closer to finding out the truth of what happen to Sakura. ALSO there is a lot of jumps in this chapter and the next (like days jump, everytime it goes to a different person.) Chapter 7 and 8 take place in two weeks!
And I added some changes to some chapters, nothing you'll have to go back and read. I just updated some of the dates. Chapter one first flash back is six years instead of five!
Thank you lovelies, grab a glass of wine and enjoy!
