Author's Note: I am sorry again for the wait! It has been hard to get back into the writing mode while the school year was in session, but I am officially on summer vacation now, so I almost doubled the word-count for you guys to make it up to you. I hope you enjoy this Sasuke-heavy chapter :)
P.S. This chapter is tightly adapted to the Naruto light novels. Read up on them here and here.
Pairing: SasuSaku
Chapter 22: A Sungakure Welcome
When they arrived at the cleft between the cliffs leading into Sunagakure, Sakura recalled the dream she had had when her and Ino had visited the Village Hidden in the Sand to discuss the Children's Clinic. The night before they had arrived, Sakura dreamt vividly about Sasuke waiting for her at the village gates. When she had approached him, he had patted her head and had said her name in a way that had suggested he was about to confess his feelings to her. Sakura remembered clinging desperately to the vision even after it faded, and how disappointed she had felt when she finally did make it to Suna and found that Sasuke was not waiting for her as she had dreamt.
Peering to her left, Sakura felt somewhat embarrassed at the memory, especially now as she caught Sasuke's emotionless expression as the Uchiha stared up at the towering cliffs. He stood slightly behind her now, having let go of her much earlier due to the fact that she couldn't keep up the excuse of exhaustion while simultaneously talking Kankuro's ear off about how Temari was managing in the Leaf Village. She had instantly regretted speaking so much when Sasuke ducked from under her arm and rubbed the back of his sweaty neck where her arm had been. Sakura supposed the rising heat had made it unbearable to support someone who didn't really need it.
Recalling the dream again, Sakura felt somewhat ridiculous to have hoped that her relationship with Sasuke could progress as quickly as seeing him, him realizing he loved her, and the two of them moving forward all in one day. In fact, it had been several weeks now since he had returned to the village and Sakura had felt like the only one who was even trying to move in that particular direction was her. Granted, Sasuke had agreed to a partnership between them, which was a step towards their former friendship. But friendship alone wasn't enough for her when it came to Sasuke and he had drawn a very clear line.
Sakura suddenly felt like her silly, genin self again. She should be grateful for what progress they had made towards friendship. Like she had told Sasuke back home: if he couldn't love her, then at least give her his friendship. He was trying, and she should not be wanting more.
"If it's okay with you," Kankuro shouted from up ahead, the party now moving into the shadows of the canyon entrance, "our first stop is to see the Kazekage. I do believe he expects an explanation for your visit."
"Of course," Sakura announced, moving along more quickly now as she realized the distracted pace of her walking. She glanced back at Sasuke who was coolly staring ahead. The Uchiha didn't even acknowledge her directed gaze as he placed his hand in his pocket and let his eyes fall to the ground. This passive Sasuke was a sharp contrast to the one who had just supported her moments ago, but he was the more familiar one.
…
Sasuke was trying to focus on the goal of his mission; he really was. However, when Kankuro announced that they were on their way to see Gaara, Sasuke couldn't help but internally sigh. It wasn't that he was nervous, annoyed, or anything else so simple as that. His aerial message had been intended to reach Gaara and express Sasuke's desire to meet with him immediately. Sasuke just didn't exactly know how this meeting would go and it was this unpredictability that he hated. When the idea of coming here first formed in his thoughts, Sasuke also imagined a couple different scenarios about how the Kazekage would take to him. Sasuke hadn't exactly been in Gaara's presence since the war, and before that, Sasuke had tried to kill him at the Five Kage Summit after the sand-wielder approached him for a chat. That chat didn't go so well.
Sasuke had complete respect for Gaara as a ninja and Kage, but they had never really been friends or even so much as acquaintances. The two of them had actually been enemies, and Sasuke had left the village before he saw the outcome of Naruto and Gaara's battle. It was something of a shock really when Gaara approached him at the summit as a new person.
And, he thought, glancing up at the kunoichi in front of him, he had believed he would be coming alone to take the brunt of Gaara's judgement. Instead, Sakura was accompanying him there and would be a witness to the consequences of his past actions. Sasuke supposed that this was the part he was dreading.
What made things even more irritating was the fact that Sakura walked with ease through the stucco houses along the path towards the core of the village. Even a few of the citizens and shinobi that lingered to watch them pass, raised their hand in greeting when the familiar pink-haired medic smiled in their direction. This made Sasuke even more hesitant. Unlike himself, she was so welcome and treated with respect and friendliness. In sharp contrast, Sasuke received various looks of confusion, fear, and distrust. Just like in the Leaf Village.
It was how it should be, Sasuke thought. Sakura was so in-place and the Uchiha was so out-of-place.
It was at this point that Sakura fell back to walk beside him. She smiled and quickly grazed his fingertips with her own. It was so fast that Sasuke wasn't sure it had been on purpose. He gave her his best reprimanding scowl anyway. He wished she would stop doing that already. Sakura giggled. Sasuke noticed that some of looks he was receiving changed instantaneously when she neared him with such playfulness. Sasuke realized then what it was that she was doing; he was grateful.
"They know you." He said it at the same time that he made the connection. Sakura had told him on the way here about her involvement in the Kazekage's rescue. Not only this, but she had defeated one of the Sand's most notorious criminals while working closely with the village's highly revered puppet master, Lady Chiyo. Sasuke had something of an epiphany as he gazed at the woman. He was being reminded again of how Sakura, too, had made a mark on the world, all while Sasuke simultaneously built another sort of reputation for himself. How odd to think about how they did "balance" each other somewhat perfectly. Who else, other than a medical proficient that saved lives, to undo the damage of someone who had taken them. Only a hero could walk beside a criminal and make the world see them in a different light.
Sakura's answer broke this train of thought. "A few of them do," she responded, turning to those ninja and waving back at them.
. . . . . . .
When they finally made it through the maze of buildings and reached the 風 labeled heart of the village, it only took a few seconds more before they were brought before the round table of the Suna council. At the same time that she and Sasuke were being escorted in by Kankuro, Sakura released a sigh of relief as the council members stood to make their way out of the spherical room. Gaara remained seated at the table even though a few of his advisors halted when they saw the faces of the new arrivals. Gaara gestured for them to leave once more, and the murmuring men dismissed themselves hesitantly.
The Kazekage stood after they were gone and motioned for the two of them to sit. After bowing, they did so politely, claiming the two seats directly in front of Gaara. Kankuro moved to Gaara's direct right, standing formally behind his leader. Sakura couldn't help but notice how quickly Sasuke fell into his emotionless persona, avoiding the Kazekage's direct gaze, and placing one arm casually on the table in front of him. In response, the Kazekage eyed him blankly for a second and then directed all conversation in her direction.
"Welcome to Sunagakure," he said formally.
"Thank you," Sakura smiled in response, gratefully clasping the refreshment that was placed down in front of her by a servant she hadn't noticed enter from an alcove behind her. "We are grateful for the escort you sent to retrieve us. You didn't need to go to the trouble."
The Kazekage shared a brief glance with Kankuro at the statement, and Sakura realized that there was a silent non-verbal exchange of thought between siblings. Kankuro decided to clarify then, the Kazekage leaving it to his brother to explain.
"We believed it necessary—not just for your safety from foreign ninja between lands like I told you before, but for the peace of our villagers as well."
Sasuke glanced up sharply at the puppet master, narrowing his eyes in understanding. A wrenching twisted immediately in Sakura's gut. So they were already getting straight to it, then. The kunoichi had predicted it to be highly possible that they might run into some hostility from Sungakure considering Sasuke's past. She had hoped their relationship with Gaara might alleviate the trouble.
"What do you mean?" she asked the Kazekage as respectfully as she could under scrutiny.
"I have been blunt with you before Sakura, the last time you were here," Gaara announced in that same formal tone, linking his fingers together upon the table. He met eyes with Sasuke again, directly addressing him this time. "I want you to know that as Kazekage, I must take every precaution during your visit. I understand you to be a changed man according to Naruto's word, and for that I welcome you, but while you are here, I have to ensure that you are the man that Naruto says you are. This village comes before all else."
The cerulean of Gaara's eyes were without reaction, filled with neither anger or judgement, but a blankness Sakura recognized in many of her own sensei's expressions when he gave orders or calculated ninja.
Sasuke presented his chin and met the Kazekage's eyes directly and Sakura's blood turned ice cold in her limbs. Her terror thawed as Sasuke responded after a minute with a clear: "I understand." He ducked his head again, and a sudden fire replaced the fear that filled the back of Sakura's throat.
"Has he not proven so already?" she asked reproachfully, "He is one of the heroes of the Shinobi War. Without him, there wouldn't be any villages."
All blinking eyes turned towards her as she spoke. She took a deep breath and nervously took a drink out of the cup she held in her hand, realizing the tone of disrespect lacing those words. She understood Gaara; she really did, but to see Sasuke accept those words as if he deserved them, made her speak out of turn.
"He has indeed," Gaara reassured her, "We all believed so until the rumors that spread about you, Sasuke, pertaining to a bargain made with missing Sand ninja to perform a coup d'état in Suna in exchange for their assistance to destroy Konoha."
Sakura instantly recalled the circumstances revolving around Kido, the man who had been trying to get Sasuke to return to the village by using an impersonator to stir up trouble in his name.
"That wasn't me," Sasuke responded civilly, also recognizing the situation Gaara was referring to.
Sakura had come here to speak to Gaara about her hopes of implementing a mental health and children's hospital in Sunagakure, and Gaara had informed her about this situation to which she had tried to take Sasuke's defense. She brought that up now: "I spoke on his behalf the last time I was here, and I was correct in my theory of a double. It was an attempt to ruin Sasuke's reputation."
Sasuke met eyes with her then. There was a brief look of surprise and then the emotion faded from his face as he turned back to the Kazekage and said, "I am responsible for my own ruined name which allowed those men to take advantage of it. Sorry to have caused your village trouble."
Sakura looked sadly at the man that she loved, feeling a mixture of anger and pride towards such a statement. Kankuro and Gaara exchanged another nod towards one another; Sakura supposed they were accepting his rare apology. She was beginning to think they hadn't been expecting to receive one.
"Do what you must," Sasuke said with a dismissive hand and annoyed exhale towards the subject. "I am here on a personal mission to investigate a bigger threat towards all of our villages. It is something I must speak with you, the Kazekage, about in private."
Both Kankuro's and the Kazekage's eyebrows jumped towards their hairlines. There was a very serious silence that spread throughout the room and Sakura's heart quickened as two of the world's most powerful ninja waited for the other to say something.
She jumped at the sound of her own name.
"Sakura," Gaara turned his attention to her. "Kakashi has told me that you are on your own mission, is that correct?"
"Yes, sir," she nodded, adding briefly, "I am hoping to check in on Sunagakure's own mental health clinic, as well as share some of my own medical findings with your hospital's doctors, if I may. I would also like to assist in any way medically during our time here. With your permission."
Gaara offered her a gentle smile, the first during their entire meeting so far. She smiled back, grateful for the shift in atmosphere. "Of course," he replied, "You are always welcome here and we are honored to have your medical expertise and guidance in our facilities."
He signaled for Kankuro then, and Sakura realized all too quickly that this was her cue to depart. "Kankuro, please accompany the doctor to our hospital and make sure she has everything that she requires while she is with us."
When Kankuro came to her side, Sakura rose slowly and bowed to Gaara, saying a quick thank you.
"We'll set up lodgings for you in the meantime," Gaara informed her. "Please do not hesitate to call on me should there be anything you need while you are here."
Sakura made to turn and caught Sasuke's eyes. He didn't say anything, barely even looked her in the eye, but he dipped his head briefly in reassurance. Saying nothing else, she followed Kankuro out the door, leaving the two shinobi to their confidentiality.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sasuke had frowned when Gaara had dismissed her, even if he had practically asked him to. Sasuke's shinobi ears had listened as his teammate's footsteps faded down the hall and Sasuke suddenly felt a sensation similar to that of losing his arm. Not the pain. Sasuke would describe it as the feeling of having become used to something and realizing abruptly that it wasn't there anymore.
After they had left, Gaara raised both of his hands in the air and Sasuke's eyes widened as the buzzing sound of the Kazekage's sand filled the air around them. Before Sasuke could react defensively, Gaara explained his actions.
"The walls," he motioned outward, and large quantities of sand appeared from the air and began to crawl up the room's fortifications and build out from it, thickening them an extra several inches. There was a cracking sound as the sand compacted into every groove, covering every opening, and sealing every door. Sasuke realized suddenly that he wasn't being entombed, but that the Kazekage was honoring his request with the utmost precaution.
"If this is as serious as you are claiming it to be," Gaara finished, resting his relaxed hands back on the table as if it had cost him nothing to perform the action, "then we cannot risk anyone listening in."
"Agreed." Sasuke confirmed, relaxing back into his seat.
"What is this threat that you are investigating, Uchiha, and why does it bring you to my village?"
And so Sasuke told him. Told him all that knew about Kaguya, the white zetsu army, and the threat that this knowledge revealed about what could potentially come. It was a theory, but an informed one, and Gaara listened with the highest interest. Sasuke also conveyed to the Kazekage that coming here did not mean any immediate danger for Suna, but that it would help Sasuke immensely if he was granted permission to test a hypothesis of his in the desert climate just outside of his village.
"I see," the Kazekage nodded, crossing his arms in contemplation after all the intelligence had been given. "Do the other Kage know about this?"
"No," Sasuke answered immediately and seriously. "Other than Team 7, you are the only one to know. I do this to personally earn your trust. I will make an official announcement when the Leaf decides to call a Five Kage meeting."
"But why wait?" the sand-wielder countered. "If you are correct, time cannot be wasted in preparing the other Kage."
Sasuke nodded in thought and said, "It's a theory only. There's no reason to unease everyone just yet. At least, until I can investigate it a little further myself. The Hokage has agreed to this."
Gaara offered his understanding, "I trust Kakashi Hatake's judgement. If he thinks the news should wait, then I will agree with his decision."
"The future should stay bright for as long as possible," Sasuke said habitually. It was the Uchiha's personal vision, and he had said it often to Naruto and others close to him. Speaking it to Gaara was an accident.
Gaara's surprised gape met his and Sasuke quickly covered with, "You understand why telling you first might result in feelings of unrest from the other Kage. I do not want them thinking it means a tipped preference in connection between our two villages. I ask that you keep this intel between us and pretend it will be the first time you are hearing it at the Kage meeting."
Gaara once again agreed, considerate of the precautions on a military level.
When the sand began to slide and crumble from the walls, Sasuke assumed that meant their conversation was coming to a close. He was about to rise before Gaara spoke silently, "And Sakura? She knows about all of this?"
Sasuke's black and purple eyes slid up to the Kage's face in calculative scrutiny. After a minute, he answered honestly with a resolved "Yes."
"Do you think that is wise? To share this with her?" Gaara asked the Uchiha, narrowing his eyes at him in judgement.
Sasuke bit back the defensive retort that sprang forth from his ever-ready Uchiha mouth. Sasuke didn't know why he would be questioning his decision to do so unless the Kazekage believed it to be a mistake.
"Just as I trust Kakashi and Naruto, I trust the third member of my team," Sasuke responded unemotionally. "As you have observed, Sakura has chosen to accompany me. I wanted her to be aware of the seriousness of the situation."
Gaara seemed to relax a little at Sasuke's answer. "It is for her safety that I ask. You put her in harm's way with the information you have trusted her with. Just by knowing, she is a target."
Sasuke internally flinched. He was all too aware of this. He had told it to himself over and over and over. If it had been up to him, Sasuke would have excluded her from the know—left her in Konoha, oblivious to all of it… that is if the stubborn woman would have stood for it. No, if she insisted on following him, she needed to know. It would be more dangerous for her not to.
Sasuke replied, "She is capable, and I have faith in her abilities should she find herself in such a situation where someone might—"
"I don't question her skills," Gaara interrupted him. "We are talking about the kunoichi who helped save my life, my brother's, and helped defeat Sasori when Kankuro could not. Not to mention that she played an essential part in the war against Kaguya. No, I don't doubt her strength."
Sasuke felt an odd emotion in his stomach. This was the ninja that Sasuke had fought all those years ago during the Chunin Exams. A hateful, evil person Gaara had been at that time. Back then, the sand shinobi was someone who had absolutely no regard for anyone but himself, killing all of those who stood in his path, his blood-reeking sand a weapon that did his bidding. To hear him now, admiring his teammates and caring for their well-being, made Sasuke realize that he himself was closer to how Gaara used to be than Gaara himself was now. It gave Sasuke hope of how far a person could change even after spending so long filled with hate.
Sasuke stood then, bowed, and said, "I intend to value those closest to me once more. Thank you for honoring my request."
Those blue eyes met his with a calm stare. The Kazekage stood as well, coming from around the table to stand in front of him. "I am glad, Sasuke, that you have found something worth returning from the darkness. I have always had faith that Naruto, at least, might be able to show you the light again."
Sasuke withheld the emotion that he was feeling from his face.
He turned toward the door and Sasuke made to follow. Gaara's voice echoed back to him over his shoulder. "It will be difficult to overcome what others think of you, but only you can change the path ahead of you and make a future for yourself as the person you truly want to be."
As the Kazekage opened the door for him, he turned towards Sasuke once more with his wisdom. "I hope you will always remember that we cannot suffer pain alone; like love and joy, it has to be shared with others. It is those bonds with others that makes us stronger."
. . . . . . . . . .
Sasuke had wanted to retreat directly into the desert environment like he had planned. He had even stopped at a couple of small shops built into the side of an adobe building for some element-specific items: a set of weather-resistant clothes and accessories which included a turban and new boots. Tossing his remaining coin in his palm, Sasuke decided last minute to purchase a smaller pair of beige trousers and a modest white tunic which seemed to be her size. He had picked them up, scrutinized them carefully, set them back down and had almost walked away. Then, he almost asked for his money back as soon as he procured them.
Sasuke couldn't wait to depart much longer; it just wasn't in him to put his mission off any longer. He felt rejuvenated enough to leave at this very second, which of course, had him guiltily remembering the person who was responsible for this new energy. Sakura had been tired just before they had arrived and had been sent immediately to the hospital to continue working. For all he knew, she was probably still dead on her feet.
So he was going to make a brief stop before he headed out.
Swinging the small knapsack of fresh belongings over his shoulder, Sasuke easily located the building that announced "doctor" in bright red kanji and reached the building quickly. When he arrived, he was admitted by a medic ninja dressed in a white gown. There was another man behind a small desk in the foyer that wore red medic attire. When inquiring about his pink-haired teammate, the healers' wary expressions lightened considerably at the mention of Sakura. Sasuke realized that they held her in the highest regard and welcomed anyone associated with her, even an ex-criminal.
"She is not on this floor," they informed him, pointing to a stairwell at the end of a narrow green hallway. "She's currently with an herbalist at the greenhouse. You can follow those steps down."
As Sasuke passed the numbered patient rooms, he was relieved to see that they were unoccupied. This must have meant that they weren't busy and didn't require Sakura to exhaust herself too much after all. He caught his train of thinking and reasoned with himself that he owed it to her since he was running off of her reserves after all.
When he made it to the bottom of the stairs, Sasuke stepped out into a lush green garden surrounded by a sand wall that served as a small courtyard off the back of the hospital. In its center, towered a glass house that reflected the hot desert sun off its surface. The small space reminded him instantly of the Leaf.
Sasuke's ears automatically picked up on the clear silvery tone of Sakura's voice coming from inside the shining structure. There was a response of laughter after she spoke and Sasuke almost turned around when Kankuro stepped out of the door and caught him lurking.
Shutting the door behind him, Kankuro made his way towards the Uchiha with his hands in his pockets. If Sasuke wasn't with one less arm and not gripping the bag in his only hand, the Uchiha would have crossed his arms to go along with the scowl he was currently displaying for him.
"Sasuke," Kankuro greeted kindly enough, ignoring Sasuke's aloof disposition. "Are you looking for Sakura? I can tell her you need her for a sec if—"
"No," Sasuke immediately reacted, tightly gripping the sack and securing it on his shoulder. He had just lost his nerve completely. "I am heading out. Tell her I left."
He made to turn, but Kankuro asked suddenly, "Will you be back late? I can show you your room first, so you know where to go when you come back." If Kankuro had phrased the last part like a question, Sasuke would have simply said 'no,' or 'get lost,' or whatever... But he didn't, and Sasuke followed the puppet master back up the stairs.
When another high-pitched, but happy, exclamation echoed up the stairwell from the greenhouse, Sasuke couldn't help his next angled statement. "Sakura can be like a child and overdo it. Has she completely exhausted herself yet?"
Kankuro laughed in agreement. "She seems fine right now, but I'll make sure she doesn't drain herself too much. This way."
Good enough for Sasuke. As long as someone was looking out for her, it didn't have to be him, he supposed.
Walking to the next building over, Sasuke realized that their lodgings were conveniently close to the hospital. That was reassuring at least, knowing Gaara was going out of his way to accommodate his female counterpart.
The walk was awkwardly silent until Kankuro spoke finally, "I am grateful to her, you know," he admitted. "Sakura saved my life when the Akatsuki came for Gaara."
Surprised by this, Sasuke recalled what the Kazekage had said about Sakura:
"We are talking about the kunoichi who helped save my life, my brother's, and helped defeat Sasori when Kankuro could not."
That statement suddenly made a lot more sense after Kankuro continued to explain. "Sasori poisoned me when I pursued them after the attack on our village. It was an unrecognizable poison at the time, but Sakura showed up and was able to develop an antidote for me. After having pulled the poison directly from my organs, that is." The ninja shuttered as he walked. "Damn painful that was, too."
Sasuke didn't answer with anything more than an acknowledging "hn."
Of course she did, he thought to himself. Sasuke also remembered the details of the conversation he had had with her on the way here. She had told him about the battle with Sasori and had mentioned an antidote she had used on herself after having taken in the poison, herself. Sakura hadn't mentioned how she had created the antidote or what situation other than the battle had required it. Kankuro was lucky she had been the ninja to come.
Kankuro left Sasuke with an elderly hostess who was in charge of the small hospital-side inn. She was older and very kind as she led Sasuke the top story of the building. Once there, she opened the door of the room at the end of the hallway. It seemed as if there was no one else staying here, and Sasuke had another revelation that it was the largest and most secluded apartment the inn had to offer. With a sigh, Sasuke finally understood that this was one of the Kazekage's "precautions" to keep him away from other people. He bit back his annoyance. Let him clear the inn. Sasuke didn't care. He hated people anyway.
Sasuke realized his mistake as soon as he entered the chamber and stumbled upon two beds a few feet away from one another. It wasn't a "secluded" room; it was a "private" room. Sasuke almost choked, turning promptly to the woman who ushered him in obliviously.
"Um," he stuttered. "There are two—"
Seeing the expression on his face, the woman backtracked with a countenance of horror. "I am so sorry. The Kazekage did not specify that you wanted a separate space from your fellow ninja."
Gaara must have not mentioned that this particular "ninja" was a female. He wanted to say so, but decided against it. He recalled their last incident back at the hotel they had stayed out beforehand. Sasuke's excuse at the time had been that they should stay together in enemy territory. Even if Sunagakure wasn't enemy territory, it was still not the Leaf.
"No," he assured the woman who was bustling with nerves, afraid she had erred and insulted him. "It is fine, thank you."
After she left, Sasuke looked down at the two green quilted beds, one flush against the wall directly under the large window and the other only a few feet away to the left, despite the room's immense space. Making up his mind, he scooted the left-most bed towards the opposite side of the room and placed it against the wall closest to the door. He laid his new belongings on top of it, claiming it as his. If anyone was entering and exiting, it would be under his supervision.
He stripped of his travel-worn attire, washed quickly, and adorned himself with the freshly purchased clothes. He tossed a heavier, woven poncho over his shoulder for when the desert darkened and took on a different temperature all together. Taking the black turban, he wrapped it tightly around the black mane of his hair, almost identical to the style he had worn it only a year ago. Sasuke folded his dirty clothes and placed them on the floor at the foot of his bed along with the opened-toe ninja sandals that Sasuke had replaced with boots.
He fingered the other set of clothing that he had obtained and decided to folded them neatly as well, setting them carefully on the window-side bed. Yes, he had bought them for Sakura and hadn't been able to give them to her directly once he had interacted with Kankuro. Coming back to civilization might be starting to clear his head of such personal notions. With any luck, she would assume it was being provided to her as a part of Gaara's hospitality. As he placed them on her pillow, Sasuke noticed a bright silver tray filled with refreshments on a small shelf in the center of the flat. He retrieved it and sat it on her bed as well, straight below the clothes, hoping she would take the hint to eat something.
Feeling certain of her well-being, Sasuke did what he did best: he made his way out of the village and disappeared into the wilderness.