welcome back :) i hope you've been enjoying the story so far! i know it's a bit different to SFP, but i quite like it all the same.
i want to say thank you to some of the best (sorry if i miss anyone)! Lorelin, KuriKashi, Noir Fox, kumera, Targaryen Breaker, loveitasakuxx, Itachan, FreeDomsHope, xXWinterRoseXx, angel897, Myrddin... who have been super awesome on both stories so far!
- - please don't forget to review! it's really important to me to hear your thoughts about the chapters and story progression! - -
i hope that this chapter will answer some of the questions you've had about madara, the village and etc.
x
Chapter 4: Puzzle
Madara washed his hands. Then washed them again. And again. And again. The nightly ritual before he went to sleep. Trying to wash away the blood that stained them. The blood of his brother. He looked in the mirror. To the world outside, he looked the same. His eyes weren't different until he activated his Mangeyko, something he had refused to do, refused to see. He looked away from the mirror, feeling bile rise in his throat, and wiped his wet hands on a towel beside the sink and walked away.
He walked barefoot and quietly through his house towards the shrine room. He kneeled before the shrine and lit the incense with his chakra, focused through his index finger.
"Good evening," he murmured, bowing his head in greeting.
First, he looked at the smaller picture, one that Matsuri had hand drawn a few weeks after the attack. He kept the image of Itachi in a place of respect on his brother's shrine.
When his head had cleared in the months after his death, and he thought back to his interactions with the man, Madara realised that he had a lot to be thankful for and that he had lost the chance to perhaps form a great and lasting friendship. The discussions they'd had, however brief, had had a lasting impact on Madara's state of mind. Itachi had been incredibly insightful, making him reconsider and reevaluate his thoughts on himself and the clan. Despite what the darker parts of Madara's mind tried to convince him of, Madara was not at all happy that he was dead.
He bowed his head to Itachi. It was awkward, even though the man was gone. But all Madara knew to do was make a promise, the same one he'd been making every day since he saw her wake up and cry.
"I'll protect her until my last breath."
Just like Itachi had. It was the only way he knew to honour Itachi's sacrifice.
Then looked at the picture of his brother.
"It's no good, brother," he murmured. "Sakura is…" he glanced at Itachi's image and sighed. "She's faded a little, but she's still so bright."
He put a hand to his head and went from kneeling to sitting cross-legged.
"I need to pull myself together."
He spent a year at her bedside. While she was asleep it was easy for him to just be in her presence. Now, she was awake, and he could see that she wasn't comfortable with him. Not in the way she was with Hashirama or Tobirama. His confession to her was her last memory of him before the attack. Of course, she was uncomfortable. In the midst of grief, of trying to pull herself together, he couldn't just step forwards into a place that was already occupied in her heart.
He lay on his back and closed his eyes.
He could still feel her in his arms, feel her warmth. See the flickers of life in her dulled eyes, the little smiles that were more genuine than forced. Her soft laughter that didn't have the energy of a year before. She was constantly with him, on his mind, easing and torturing him. His feelings weren't going to go away, and neither were hers. She was not his to think about in such a manner. He resolved to keep his distance and allow her time and space. He'd be there, supporting her, watching from a distance. Madara clenched his jaw. He would keep his feelings locked away, and maybe one day, if she ever felt the same, he'd let them out.
But hope was dangerous, and as he left the shrine room and headed to his bed, Madara squashed it down and away. He wouldn't hope or expect.
He could only do what he promised. He'd protect her, in every way he could.
Sakura didn't sleep.
She hadn't stopped working since she came home after her talks with Hikari and Madara. She'd gotten herself some of the money that had been gifted to her from, she suspected, either Matsuri or Hashirama, and brought enough administrative supplies to fill the entire table.
She spent the entire night outlining everything she was taught by Tsunade, beginning with the four clauses that govern medical ninjutsu:
-First, no medic shall ever stop medical treatment until the lives of their party members have come to an end.
-Second, no medic ninja shall ever stand on the front lines.
-Third, no medic ninja shall ever die until they are the last of their platoon.
-Fourth, only those medic ninja who have mastered the Strength of a Hundred Technique of the ninja art Creation Rebirth are permitted to discard the above-mentioned laws.
Everything Tsunade built was around those four clauses, so she would do the same. Honouring the legacy of her master.
She spent the evening outlining a base skill test for the current medics, designing the hospital command structure and making a list of tasks that needed to be done, including hiring an assistant. There was no way that Sakura could do all the work on her own.
With Hikari desperate to learn from her, she had at least one person to help with some smaller tasks, but she needed someone else she could trust and that… was a limited number of people and all of whom were busy running the village. She put her pen down when she noticed the sky turning from dark satin navy to a dull grey. From night to day, no sleep, no dreams. Her stomach growled hungrily, but she didn't want to eat. Instead, she walked from the dining area into the bathroom and lifted her shirt.
Her abdomen, once smooth, was now marred with a deep scar.
Her hand moved across her skin, touching the ragged scar. She closed her eyes and felt her medical jutsu rush the area. Twisted, cut, wrong. The more she examined it, the more upset she grew. It was cruel, really. Sakura could still get pregnant, even with only the one ovary undamaged. But carrying the child to term would probably kill them both. Cruel. To have the opportunity but not the choice.
But… Sakura stopped the jutsu and opened her eyes, staring at the diamond on her forehead. Maybe someday soon, maybe she could use that technique, and just maybe she could fix it. First, she needed to restore all her chakra and her reserves. She was surprised the seal hadn't disappeared while she was in a coma, but then again, part of her wasn't. Her body was trained to redistribute her charka even in an unconscious state.
She washed her face and changed her clothes, brushed her hair and left it down. It was strange to see herself with long hair, but it was somehow it gave her a sense of comfort. She touched her bangs and then wet them, combed them, and styled them to the side. Another small change. She wondered what he'd say. She looked at herself. Nineteen years come and gone. Somehow she thought she looked a little older than before she woke up. Sakura swallowed and forced a smile. It felt stretched, made the blue bruises under her eyes more prominent. She dropped it and turned away from the mirror.
In her hands, she collected the papers and left the house. Even if Hashirama wasn't in the office, she would wait. She couldn't be inside any longer. It was too quiet.
Hashirama looked at the slumped, sleeping form of Sakura Haruno laying across the door to his office and smiled. He crouched in front of her looked at the papers she had in her arms.
Konoha Hospital …. Medical ninja should never … HIRE ASSISTANTS!
He chuckled softly to himself, glad that she'd thrown herself into work already, and tapped her shoulder.
"Mmm," she murmured sleepily. She blinked tiredly. "Itachi?" She mumbled, not seeing Hashirama in front of her.
He felt his chest tighten in sadness for her.
"Sakura, you're in my door," he said quietly.
She blinked again and seemed to focus.
"Oh. Hi."
He stood and leaned his hand down to her. She took it and he lifted her to her feet.
"Good morning, Sakura. I see you've changed your hair." He said, observing her.
She put a hand self-consciously to her hair, smoothing it.
"Ah, yeah." She seemed to hesitate. "How does it look?" She asked, blushing slightly.
Hashirama fought back a smile.
"It suits you. You look older."
She seemed relieved. He opened the door to the office and then frowned.
"Sakura, how old are you?"
He heard her cough.
"Old? Um. Nineteen," she said quietly, averting her gaze from him.
Suspicions rose in Hashirama.
"Sakura, when is your birthday?"
"It doesn't matter. Don't you want to know what I decided?" She said instead.
He decided to let it drop. For now.
"Yes, please."
She nodded and shuffled through the papers, her aura became something professional and he watched her carefully. Seeing her demeanour change subtly gave him a sense of peace that he was doing the right thing. Giving Sakura something to focus on was going to help her and bring her back to herself.
He spent the next thirty minutes talking with her, completely fascinated by her extensive knowledge and sudden assertiveness. Her ideas, although he knew weren't exactly her own, were still remarkable. If she were able to give Konoha the foundation in medical knowledge that she spoke about… It would be more than he ever dreamed of. The longer they spoke, the more impassioned her voice became and the brighter her eyes. This was something that she loved, it was clear. It was important to her.
"So what do you need?" He asked her.
"I need to meet with whoever is in charge of the hospital right now. I need to know the budget I have to work with. I need to organise a day or maybe a week to test all current and prospective medic-nin to gauge their abilities before assigning ranks." She pursed her lips and looked at him. "What I really need is the academy and shinobi military ranks."
Hashirama sat back on his chair.
"I read about them. Itachi outlined the make-up of the military quite thoroughly."
"They became international after some time, I think it was decided at a Five-Kage summit," Sakura frowned, thinking.
Hashirama looked at her with interest. Five Kages? A bud of excitement bloomed in his chest.
"But until then, is intra-village suitable?"
"I would say yes. It's a decision to be made with the consultation of clan council and my council." He looked at her meaningfully. "Will you take your seat on it?"
Sakura gave a nod.
"Yes. I'll be on your council. But I want you to listen to me carefully, Lord Hokage." She sounded serious. He leaned forward in his seat. "I will not let anyone, man, woman or child, create a black mark against the Uchiha like they did in my time."
Hashirama sat back and smiled. His eyes drifted from Sakura to over her shoulder, straight at Madara, who'd been listening, unobserved by her for the last ten minutes.
"How does that sound, Madara?" He asked with some amusement.
Madara was staring at Sakura in a way that made Hashirama want to look away. His friend was intensely private, yet when it came to her… Hashirama was worried. Sakura froze, obviously she had been unaware of his presence behind her. Madara entered the room and grunted in the non-committal way that he did, "Hn." But Hashirama could see the hint of a smile on his face and knew that he was pleased.
Sakura cleared her throat.
"Well. I suppose I'll go to the hospital then," Sakura said.
"Take Tobi with you, I'll speak with Madara about the ranking system."
Sakura nodded, and Hashirama noticed she didn't look at Madara as she left. Madara noticed it too. He watched her leave, his eyes lingering on the doorway.
"Careful, Madara," Hashirama said with some seriousness.
He didn't expect Madara to reply, so when he did, Hashirama was surprised and his worry only grew. It was quiet, with a kind of helplessness that he never heard from Madara before.
"I know."
Sakura wasn't surprised exactly, but she had been desperately hoping that the hospital would be in better shape than it was.
Madoka was in charge of the doctors and day-to-day organisation within the hospital, but the administration was in shambles. Tsunade would have gone on a rampage. Sakura, however, had to keep herself reigned in and controlled and constantly remind herself that it was basically a new hospital. The chinks were still being smoothed out…although, admittedly, she was about to replace the armour altogether.
To Sakura's surprise, Madoka wasn't at all threatened by her sudden arrival and announcement that she'd be taking over. Instead, he seemed grateful and offered his assistance with anything she would need. It was a welcome attitude and some of her tension released. Konoha Hospital had fifteen doctors and ten students. All Sakura could think was that it was severely understaffed and lucky that the village was still relatively small and slow-growing.
The main problem, it seemed, was the clan's reluctance to part with their medics, resources, money, and a lack of general training to the currently needed standard. Sakura realised with a heavy heart she was going to need to go up against the clans and wondered how Tsunade had ever found the strength.
It took her, Madoka, and Hikari, three tiring days to sort through the hospital documentation and made a list of what needed to be done. The creation more efficient working environment was the first on the list. They'd need to establish a financial department as soon as possible, and Sakura thought privately, find some talented engineers to update and create new equipment.
On the fifth day stuck inside the make-shift office at the hospital, when Hikari left to bring Madoka and Sakura some lunch, Madoka looked at her curiously and Sakura frowned.
"Despite your age, this isn't the first time you've been involved in running a hospital, is it?"
"It's not," she answered. "But I've never done it by myself before."
She missed the help she'd had from Shizune. Madoka smiled at her.
"You're not alone here," he said kindly. "Your ideas are modern and different, and will change things for the better, I think. Even though it's only just been a month since you woke up from your coma, you're already working to make the village a better and healthier place. It's amazing, really."
Sakura felt both pleasure and guilt in his words.
"It's just what I was taught," she said quietly. "Thank you, by the way," she said. He looked confused at her words. "It's not easy for someone else to come in and basically tell you what you're doing isn't right and change it all."
Madoka chuckled quietly.
"Well, I've never been the kind of man who disliked progress. But it helped that Lord Hokage has been telling me for months that when you woke up this would be happening," he said.
"He did?"
"Yes. Lord Hokage, Lord Tobirama and Lord Madara all spoke very highly of you and what they hoped you could do when you recovered."
Sakura sat back in her seat.
"That's…nice."
Not only did they think she'd accept, but they were already planning to put her in this position. Part of Sakura was annoyed, feeling slightly used. But she dismissed it, knowing that it wasn't their true intention. She wasn't so hardheaded she couldn't see that even though they wanted her to take a place of importance and work for the village, they did actually believe in her. She felt that if she refused, she knew they wouldn't force her, no matter how disappointed.
"Yes," Madoka said. "They were all worried about you. Lord Madara was here almost every day." Sakura flickered her eyes to him in surprise and Madoka nodded. "I believe that he was also suffering from the loss of his brother. He spoke to you. It helped his own recovery."
Sakura looked away and out the window, unsure of how to take that information. She'd barely seen him the entire month she'd been awake, and the thought of Madara made her feel a little uneasy and conflicted.
"I've been able to organise two days for you to meet and examine the doctors," Madoka said after another moment. "Two separate groups."
"Good," Sakura said. "That's helpful. How do you think they'll take?"
"Not as well as me, I think," he said with the hint of a pitying smile.
She sighed.
"This isn't going to be pleasant."
"I don't envy you," Madoka laughed.
"Well, I don't envy you either. Unless any of the others are more competent at the day-to-day running of the hospital, you're going to end up second-in-charge, and I won't be a forgiving boss if these changes aren't made and stuck to."
Madoka gave her a look that said he was slightly afraid of the future.
"While we wait for Hikari, should I give you a checkup? You're due for one."
Sakura grimaced.
"I'm fine," she replied.
Madoka looked over her with a critical eye.
"You've put on weight and look much healthier. But your skin is still pale, you should spend more time outside."
"Okay," Sakura sighed. "But I'm busy."
"Have you continued training with Tobirama?"
"I've had some days off," Sakura said. "I'll talk to him again."
"Tomorrow," Madoka said. "You might be the superior medic, but I'm still your doctor and your welfare is my concern."
Sakura gave a little smile.
"I'm really okay now."
"Until I say so, please just humour me," Madoka asked.
"Fine," Sakura relented.
"How are you sleeping?"
Sakura shrugged.
"It's fine."
"How many hours a night? Is it a deep sleep?"
Sakura clenched her teeth in irritation.
"Madoka, I'm really fine. I can handle myself."
He sighed with resignation.
"Be sure that you do."
Sakura sat in a defensive silence while she waited for her lunch. She was fine. She could handle herself. She didn't need a doctor anymore, or people prying into her feelings. If she was working, she was fine.
Hikari came back a few minutes later with some ramen and a message for Sakura from Hashirama. In three days, she would be introduced to the clan council. Sakura spent the next five minutes with her forehead on her desk, a sense of foreboding coming over her.
Something had been bothering Tobirama.
How had Sakura and Itachi 'met' him, Hashirama and Madara in their future?
It wasn't ever fully explained in the notes they left behind, nor in anything, they'd said. If his calculations were correct, they would have had to be over 100 years old by the time they would have crossed paths. It made no sense. Maybe Hashirama could make it to that age, but Mito was more likely with her type of chakra. But the way it sounded, they were all fighting in the war, and at full strength.
Tobirama couldn't figure it out. One thought trickled into his head, and then it was stuck. If he was right, and his theories proven true, was his research completed? He retreated into his private laboratory and restarted the research Hashirama had told him to abandon months ago.
Shikaru Nara had always been considered something of a genius, but the truth of the matter was, he was just a little more observant than most and liked to read. He was not a true genius. His son, however, was.
Shikata Nara, at fourteen years old, was the most intelligent person that Shikaru had ever come across. Yet, his generally antisocial behaviour and general lack of concern for things outside his own interests was a great hindrance to himself and the Nara clan and deeply concerned Shikaru. So when Shikaru came home from his work with Lord Hokage for the development of the library, he was deeply shocked to find Shikata wrapped in deep thought, playing a game of shogi against the mysterious young woman who'd been in a coma for the last year. He was even more surprised to see that she was soundly defeating Shikata when Shikata was actually concentrating and invested in the game.
Within a few moments of his arrival, Shikaru could see that the girl, Sakura, was well aware of his presence, yet his son was not. She didn't look at him or acknowledge him, but it was clear. He continued to observe them. She looked well enough if a little tired. He'd seen her the year before, only twice before the Nine-Tails attack. First, at the festival party, the Uchiha hosted, where she was dressed remarkably beautifully, and then again two days later when she displayed raw, unbridled and impressively frightening skill as a shinobi against Tobirama.
He did remember Shikata being interested in her then, but it didn't answer what she was doing in his home now. He had his own assumptions though. She was, it had been rumoured, going to take a position on Lord Hokage's council of advisors, and she had taken over the hospital. He assumed she was here to speak on political matters.
Lost in his own thoughts, he was broken from them by the sound of her light laughter and a groan from Shikata.
"You're going to need to improve if you want to beat me," she said playfully.
"I don't understand," Shikata said with a glower. "How do you keep beating me? I never lose."
She gave him a soft smile.
"You're not the first little genius I've played against."
Shikaru had a feeling she was something of a genius in her own right. She would have to be incredibly intelligent to be as proficient a medic-nin as she was rumoured to be and to have somehow maneuvered herself into such a favourable position in the village.
Shikata pouted and then he noticed his father.
"Oh, you're back," he said, a little glumly.
Shikaru frowned slightly at the lack of respectful greeting. Sakura tapped Shikata on the head, surprising Shikaru with the gentle affection of the action, yet the firmness in her features.
"Don't be rude, you should greet your father properly," she reprimanded him. "He's the only one you've got."
Shikata pouted again at her, and Shikaru had to keep his face from showing just how surprised he was when his son actually mumbled out something respectful, however reluctantly.
"Welcome home, father."
Sakura gave him a look of approval and Shikata blushed slightly, turning his face away and Shikaru understood his reaction immediately. Sakura was very pretty, and Shikaru was glad that his son finally seemed to be noticing girls. He was at that age. Sakura turned to him.
"Good afternoon, Lord Nara," she bowed slightly. "Forgive me for intruding."
"It's not a problem, Lady Sakura." He saw her mouth twist at the title and he smiled at her. "As it seems we both don't like being called formally, should we just hold off on the title then?"
Sakura nodded, gratitude swimming on her features.
"Yes, um, Shikaru?" She questioned uncertainly.
He smiled and nodded.
"Come inside," he motioned to her. "I'm sure you're here to speak about something important."
Shikata looked at his father with that calculating gaze of his, and Shikaru knew that his son was interested. Sakura nodded.
"Yes, I am." She turned back to Shikata. "I'll come back for a rematch, maybe you'll be able to beat me in a few years."
"Troublesome," Shikata muttered.
Shikaru didn't understand the look of deep pain that crossed Sakura's features for a brief second before she hid it was a bright smile and a laugh, ruffling Shikata's hair, which he tried to smooth out. Shikaru led her into the small tea room, where they were served by one of the younger girls in the clan, and then left alone.
"To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"
Sakura looked slightly ashamed.
"My apologies for dropping in unannounced," she said. "We're not well acquainted, so this must seem odd."
Shikaru shrugged.
"I expect you're here to formally introduce yourself since it seems apparent that we're about to be working more closely together."
Sakura didn't look surprised by his statement, and Shikaru found himself more and more intrigued by her.
"Yes. Well. Hashirama plans to formally introduce me tomorrow," she said, seeming a little daunted and uncomfortable at the thought of it.
He could imagine it was something that Hashirama had bullied her into with his indomitable will, but the question he had was why? She was young.
"But you haven't come here just to introduce yourself, have you?" Shikaru took a sip of tea.
Sakura smiled.
"How like a Nara to see underneath the underneath," she said, a touch of fondness in her voice.
Shikaru wondered when she'd met anyone of his clan before because it certainly sounded like she was familiar with them.
"I hope that I'm correct in assuming that the Nara are able to see the advantages to a village, compared to what the world was like before?"
Shikaru nodded, unable to help but show his curiosity. His clan was quite happy to join the village when they'd heard about it. The advantages of a village like this were tenfold to remaining in smaller clan units, and, allying with the Senju and Uchiha was a great military advantage.
"And I understand that the Nara have a lot of medical knowledge," Sakura said, sipping the tea
"You seem well informed about my clan," Shikaru replied.
"I'm well informed about anything medically related," she said with a slight shrug. "That's why I'm here actually."
"Oh?"
"What's your opinion on the hospital?" She asked, bluntly. "And medic-nin. Please be honest, I won't be offended."
She gave him the kind of smile that meant even if he said something offensive in regards to her skills, she would ultimately prove him wrong. Shikaru held in a chuckle.
"My clan understands the need for medics, and our skills are something we are proud of."
Sakura tilted her head to the side.
"Is that so? Then may I ask why the Nara have no one working in the hospital? Surely if your clan is so proud of their skills, they'd be willing to extend services to the entire village?"
He looked at her with some surprise. If he was being honest, it wasn't something he'd actually considered. Integration into the village had been preoccupying his mind. He laughed at her boldness, but she didn't change her serious expression.
"I don't think you'll have anything to worry about with the clans, Sakura," he said. "You'll be able to handle them just fine."
Sakura gave a small, reluctant smile.
"I had a strong teacher," she said.
Shikaru took another sip of tea.
"To be honest, my clan has been focused on becoming part of the village. The medical side has just taken a back seat. It wasn't done purposefully."
Sakura nodded.
"I'm glad of that at least. But here's the thing, I don't intend to waste time - mine or anyone else's."
"So what is it that you want from me?"
"I'd like your support," she said. "Tomorrow I'll introduce the new initiatives for the hospital and medic-training program."
"What would my support entail?" Shikaru asked her.
"I'm sure that you're aware that this village is going to become something great, and," she looked at him sharply, "you also know that the rest of the nations won't just let that happen without some form of retaliation."
Shikaru took a breath, understanding where she was going with the line of conversation.
"Yes."
"War is going to come," Sakura said. "I don't know when, but one day, it will."
"You certainly look at the big picture for someone so young," he observed.
"If Konoha is going to face the future with strength, all parts of it have to be strong," Sakura continued. "If we enter any skirmish or war without skilled medics and strong support for our front line, we won't fare well."
"And you think you're capable of creating that?"
"Yes."
The confidence that came from that one word was so abrupt and honest and strong that Shikaru was taken aback. There was a look in her eyes that he hadn't seen in a long time, from anyone. A fire, determination, unwavering belief. He was drawn to it, a felt a strong sense of wanting support and follow her. He seemed to hold him with that gaze, daring him to refute her.
"So what are you asking for exactly?"
"All the clans will be asked for the same thing: funds, medics, knowledge and for the clan's children too, eventually, be tested for medical ninjutsu aptitude."
"The children?"
"Yes," Sakura nodded. "Chakra control is the key in medical jutsu, however, not everyone is capable of what's required. When the academy is established, I'll be requesting that there be a program for medical jutsu. When the structure of the military is finalised, all - well, most, I hope - teams will have a trained medic."
Shikaru absorbed her words. What she said was irrefutably logical. His clan picked out their medics from a young age, training them while they learned the clan techniques. Having trained medics as support was always a good idea - so long as they weren't a hindrance. But from the look in her eyes, Shikaru had a feeling that Sakura wasn't going to let anyone call a medic a nuisance while she was in charge.
"Then, Sakura, you have my support," he said.
A wash of relief flooded her face.
"I do?"
She seemed surprised. Maybe she expected more of a fight.
"I'll send the clan medics to the hospital in a few days time," he told her.
She sent him a large smile.
"Thank you," she said. "Really, thank you. With your support, I'm almost certain that the Yamanaka and Akimichi will also yield."
"Why would you think that?" Shikaru asked.
Sakura took a sip of her tea and smiled coyly.
"Simple deductive reasoning," she answered. "Your three clans have been long-time allies, and work in perfect synchronization. I doubt you'd agree so readily without knowing the other two clans would be on board. Secondly, the Nara have a reputation for being tacticians and strategists which is why I came to you first. If you decided to support me, I was sure I'd have an easier time with the others."
Shikaru gave an amused laugh.
"How wise of you. It's true that there have been many called genius' in my clan, but I am not such one."
Sakura gave a smile.
"Genius isn't all it's made out to be," she said. "Intelligence and a clear head are more than enough to see a bigger picture."
"But genius helps," Shikaru said.
She nodded, her eyes turning with that same sadness.
"It certainly does," she replied quietly, sipping her tea. She cleared her throat. "Thank you for tea, Lord Nara," she said with a small smile. "I have to get back to work."
"Feel free to return at any time," he replied, meaning it.
He was interested in his girl. He hadn't seen his son interact much with anyone since his wife had passed, and was pleased that she had managed to get such visible reactions out of him. But it wasn't only that which he found of interest. Sakura was mysterious. She was held in the highest of regards to the Hokage, his brother, and Madara Uchiha. The rumours and speculations he'd heard about her were numerous. She was some kind of prodigy medic. She had monstrous strength - which he'd seen in action. She saved the village and faced the Nine-Tails. Even though she'd been in a coma for a year, it had only added to the mystery and fascination surrounding her. There was a barrier around her. She interacted openly with very few. Her face was young, but there was obvious grief in it and her eyes. The man she was with, the year prior, he learned had been her lover but not her husband. They were oddly connected with the Uchiha family.
Sakura was a puzzle, and he wanted to know more. As she left, he saw Shikata watching her leaving from the base of a tree. Sakura waved to him.
"What do you think of her?" Shikaru asked his son.
"In regards to what?"
"What kind of person is she?"
Shikata thought for a moment.
"I think she's sad," he replied. "But I think not trusting her would be foolish. From what I've heard in the village, she's well-liked and holds the safety of the village close to her heart."
Shikaru looked at his son questioningly.
"I go out and listen," Shikata sighed. "I want to know if this place is going to be a good home."
Shikaru ruffled his son's hair.
"It will be good if we can make it so," he said.
"Well. All she wants is to make sure we're all healthy, right? What's so wrong about that?" Shikata grumbled, smoothing his hair.
"Some men don't like it when things change," Shikaru answered.
"Troublesome," Shikata said quietly. "Change is inevitable."
"Indeed," Shikaru said.
"Anyway, she said she'd come back and play with me again. So you can figure out what kind of person she is when she's here," Shikata said.
"She's the first person since your mother whose beaten you."
Shikata nodded.
"Yeah, but…" he frowned. "She plays a little bit like a Nara, and I could've beaten her one of the games."
Shikaru raised his eyebrows. Another interesting fact to file away. Something told him that Sakura was going to be a very interesting puzzle to figure out.
Sakura looked up at the branch of the tree, hands on hips and foot tapping.
"Are you serious, Kakashi?"
"Only about Icha Icha," he said, turning the page.
Sakura sighed heavily.
"You need new hobbies."
"I don't think so. But maybe you do. You're really missing out, it's a good series," he said, still not looking at her.
"I think I'll pass," Sakura drawled.
"Your loss," Kakashi shrugged.
Sakura looked away, questioning why she was there. What did she want with Kakashi anyway? He jumped down from the tree and landed in front of her, smiling down at her with that closed-eye, crinkled smile.
"Something you need to talk about?"
"I don't know…" She frowned. "I feel like something is missing."
Kakashi put his hand on her head.
"It'll feel like that for a while. But, just promise me something, okay?"
She nodded, feeling strangely comforted by his hand, even if she felt a little like a dog.
"Don't be like me."
"What do you mean?"
He just kept smiling at her and ruffled her hair and she squeaked in protest.
"Kakashi," she whined.
He walked away, giving her a single armed wave. She watched him go, fading into the distance.
"Well, that was weird."
She spun around and saw Shisui.
"Shisui!"
She jumped into his arms and he laughed and spun her around.
"Hey, Saki," he grinned, putting her down. "Something wrong?" He asked, frowning. "You look a bit down."
"Something's wrong," Sakura said, shaking her head. "But I don't know what it is. Like maybe I've not done something, something important."
Shisui gave her a sad little smile.
"You should go see him then."
Sakura tilted her head, her brow furrowed.
"You haven't seen him yet."
She looked around.
"Where's Itachi?" She asked, suddenly feeling panicked. Her heart beat rapidly. "Shisui? Where is he?"
Shisui hugged her.
"I think it's time you go and see him, don't you?"
Sakura opened her eyes and threw her blankets off her, clutching at her chest and panting. The remnants of her dream hung in her consciousness. It was like she could feel them. Kakashi's hand on her head, Shisui's arms around her.
Itachi.
She felt tears in her eyes spill onto her cheeks. She wiped them on her blankets, got up off her nest on the floor and pulled on a robe before she left her house.
It was the middle of the night. The village was silent. The moon hung low and bright in the sky, obscured by thin wisps of cloud and a starlit sky. But Sakura wasn't looking up. She stared at her bare feet as she walked, holding her robe tightly around her in the slightly cool wind. Her tears dried as she walked. It was the first night her dreams weren't a nightmare, but the pain of a dream like that might have been worse, the emptiness hurt. But she walked, moving forward on instinct, in the direction she was sure that he was. She hadn't asked. No one had told her. But the dream Shisui was right. She needed to see him. She needed to face him.
The Naka Shrine had a mystical feel to it under the moonlight. Sakura felt like she was moving in a daze. Her body shivered and trembled from the cold, and she couldn't feel her feet anymore. But she didn't stop. In her time, the Uchiha weren't buried at the shrine. Everyone in the village was buried at the village cemetery, but she didn't know if that was there yet.
The little cemetery was off to the side of the shrine, just out of view if you looked directly at it. Sakura stood at the edge of the stone path, facing where she saw the unmistakable stones. Arms wrapped tightly around herself, her hair blowing around her face in the wind, she crossed the grass and walked toward them, shaking harder than before. She was scared. Sakura felt so much fear. Her teeth rattled and her arms shook violently, even though she was gripping herself tightly. She saw the words on the stones. Just names. She stopped before Izuna.
"I'm so sorry," she breathed, her throat hurting. "I'm so sorry I couldn't do anything. I'm so sorry you're dead. It wasn't supposed to be this way."
It didn't feel like enough. She stared at his name, afraid to look anywhere else. Afraid to move to the next place, to the one she needed to face, to him.
Five meters. She was five meters away.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She moved. One step, then another, until she was there. Staring at the name she'd avoiding seeing for a month.
Itachi Uchiha
A strangled sob escaped her throat and she fell to her knees, feeling broken again. Work was a distraction, not a solution. She was tired. She gasped and cried.
"I'm so sorry. So sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Sorry. I'm so sorry."
She repeated it and cried, kneeling and hugging herself. Afraid that if she let go, she'd fall to pieces.
"Why did you have to do that?" She whispered to him. "I was going to be okay."
Sakura felt some kind of rage suddenly build inside her. Anger. Hurt and pain and sadness and anger.
"I was going to survive!" She screamed. "You didn't have to die! I wasn't going to die!"
She screamed, frustrated, and felt her hands dig so tightly into her sides that she was going to bruise. But the pain of that was nothing. She felt nothing. She was so angry.
"Why did you leave me here alone!?"
Her fist filled with chakra, and she lifted it to punch him. To break the stone. To feel something other than this terrible pain.
Her hand was caught by another. A hand wrapped around her fist, holding her arm back by force, and with a shriek, instead of punishing Itachi for leaving her, she turned on the intruder, trying to hurt him. She unleashed it, the pain, the hurt, the anger, and Madara took it, blow after blow until she heard him take a sharp breath and heard him wince in pain. She stopped, staring at him, tears running down her face and he just looked at her.
She sobbed and sniffed, walking to him with her head bowed. He stood still as she healed his broken ribs and the bruising on his chest. She formed a weak fist with her hand and banged lightly on his chest when she was done.
She couldn't speak anymore.
He stood still and she rested her forehead on his chest, sobbing and let her arm drop. She didn't fight when he wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. They stood like that, not speaking, under the shadows of the trees and the light of the moon, until Sakura grew too tired to stand up. She was so tired. She let him carry her from the shrine, feeling small in his arms. Her eyes closed and she drifted between the conscious and unconscious until she felt herself be lowered into soft, warm blankets and drifted into sleep.