Alright friends, this is the final chapter of the arc. Pompeii will return in a few months, after Vesper and I have had a chance to catch our breaths. Thank you so much for sticking it out thus far, we really love getting to share the world of Pompeii with you all. We hope you've enjoyed the journey thus far and cannot wait to share more with you in the future!
Pompeii
Chapter 50
jaylene
Tobirama Senju walked through the doorway.
Everyone went on alert, shifting their bodies between Sakura and the interloper. Their backs tensed and, though she couldn't see their expressions, Sakura knew they were hungry for battle.
"Stand down," Sakura said, forcing herself into an upright position. She held back a whimper as she swung her legs off the bed, entire body protesting. "Stop."
All eyes turned her way, shadowed with worry and affection.
Naruto was the first to relax, moving to Sakura's side to fuss over her. She let him, hands fisted in the sheets to keep her arms from shaking. Her feet touched the floor, but she didn't dare stand, not yet.
"Why are you here, Tobirama?" she asked, fighting to keep her voice even.
Tobirama took a half step forward, contenance softening. "I am here for you."
"You can't have her," Yamato replied, face distorted with anger. "She is not going anywhere against her will."
Tobirama's eyes cut Yamato's way, a sneer curling his lips. "That is not why I am here. I came to verify her health."
"I'm fine," Sakura said, hoping to interrupt the obvious animosity.
"Who are you?" Ashura asked, sensing Sakura's anxiety.
"I am Tobirama Senju," he replied, looking Ashura over in assessment. His lips tugged down. "Who are you?"
"We are the Founders of Pompeii," Indra said, taking vindictive delight in the way Tobirama's jaw tightened with surprise. "It is apparent you are unwelcome here; the very essence of Pompeii fights against your presence."
"Yet I am here," Tobirama said, ignoring the way Pompeii's barrier buffeted him. He had taken advantage of a loophole, as was the nature of his ilk, yet Pompeii still tried to punish him. He returned his attention to Sakura. "I wish to speak with you." He glanced at the eavesdroppers. "Alone."
Yamato stiffened. "No. There is no chance in hell that I'll leave you alone with-"
"Yamato," Sakura said, reaching out and grasping his hand. "It is alright." She waited until Yamato looked at her. "I am not afraid."
Ino, catching Sakura's look, poked Naruto and, with his assistance, began wrangling the others out of the room. It was akin to herding cats, but Ino was more than skilled enough to get them moving.
As Yamato crossed Tobirama's path, he leaned in and whispered, "Do anything, anything, to make Sakura feel uncomfortable and your relatives will not find your body." His eyes were cold and remote. "I will devour you and use you as fertilizer."
Tobirama stared back at him blandly, unimpressed. Truthfully, he was more concerned with Sakura, as she looked small and lost among the rich textiles that made up her bedding. He looked at Hiruzen, still standing vigilant to Sakura's side.
"Tread lightly, Tobirama," he said, mouth firm. Sakura, now outside the reach of Indra's magic, struggled to hear him. She could, but just barely. "Pompeii does not take kindly to threats, especially within such hallowed halls as this."
Tobirama waited until Hiruzen left the room before striding closer to Sakura. She struggled to her feet, fighting back a grimace at the pain. She wobbled and Tobirama reached for her, only for her to throw her arms up in defense.
"Don't," she barked, finding her balance.
A strange throbbing heat took root in Tobirama's chest at her denial of him and his help, searing at the flesh and bone there. He didn't recognize it, but he knew he despised the sensation.
Sakura took a deep breath, movements jagged and protesting against her bruised rib cage. "What do you want, Tobirama?"
He bit his tongue to keep his instinctive response from spilling forth. From her crossed arms and furrowed brows, Tobirama doubted she would appreciate "You," as an answer. "I came to make amends," he said.
Sakura cocked a brow at him when he fell silent. "Go on then," she said. "Stating your intention to do so does not count as apologizing."
Tobirama flexed his fingers, wondering why he was so damn anxious. Her unreadable expression didn't help his nerves. "Sakura, I apologize for the way we as a clan and I in particular treated you in these past few months. It was wrong for us to behave so poorly on such circumstantial evidence." He swallowed, eyes darting away from her face. "You must understand, the being known as Kaguya was attempting to malign you, cast doubts upon your character."
"I know that," Sakura said, eyes a forest blaze as she looked up at him. "I know that better than any of you."
"Then you understand why we acted the way we did; we were desperate for answers in the face of this plague." Tobirama's voice picked up as he warmed to the topic. "The Uchiha were useless and no one could provide answers. Everything led back to you. It appeared that you catalyzed these events."
"From what I understand," Sakura said softly, "you were the one who started this." Tobirama froze, an absolute, alien stillness to his body. "You broke tradition, you and Sasori both." Her face twisted. "You bent the rules and Kaguya seeped through the ensuing cracks."
"How were we to know?" Tobirama asked, demanded really. "How were we to believe a fanciful fairy tale, one that seemed to have no grounding in reality?"
Sakura laughed, a bitter sound laced with the hoarseness lingering from her encounter with Kaguya. "You believed my involvement in the mess quickly enough. We live in a world of fanciful fairy tales; why on earth would you even take a chance? You are Fey; you know the consequences of loopholes! Why would you take part of the Genesis Tree?"
"It reminded me of you," he said. "Its beauty, the transient, ethereal quality to the Tree; it was a personification of you."
"So you took it," Sakura said, turning away from him as she folded in on herself. "You took and Kaguya was freed." She fell silent for a long moment, gaze distant. Finally she shuddered, taking painstaking steps to move away from him. "Please leave."
Pompeii's barriers lashed out at him, attempting to wrest him away from her, attempting to fulfill her wishes. Tobirama's eyes narrowed as he buckled down, exerting his strength in full. His visage took on his true form: alien eyes, heightening markings, and heavy horns. It was enough to keep him there, staring at Sakura's back as she moved away from him.
"I love you!" Tobirama said, desperation fueling his words. "I love you damn it."
Sakura stopped and turned to him. There was something in her eyes, some emotion Tobirama had never experienced before, but seen expressed by others.
Pity.
"You do not love me," Sakura said as she hobbled back until she stood before him. She took in the full effect of his appearance, the glory and terror that was the Sengu scion and did not waver. "Tobirama, you do not love me."
"Yes I do," he replied, distantly aware that he sounded like a recalcitrant child. "You have awakened me to the sometimes painful and messy experience of emotions. Before you I felt nothing, was nothing but a hollowed out shell. You've inspired me to all new heights and horrors."
"Tobirama, what you're experiencing isn't love. Lust, excitement, or even fondness maybe, but it is not love," Sakura said. She reached up, stopping just short of touching his face. Tobirama leaned into it, eyes shutting as her fingers touched his skin. "Love is...love is kind and giving and built upon trust. You chose to take and take and take-" Her voice cracked but she carried on, "You did not trust me in the face of lies, even as others did. You don't know me, Tobirama, not really. If you did, you would have trusted me. Have we ever spoken plainly with each other?
"What you are feeling is selfish and scorching and it has burned me in ways you cannot begin to imagine. Love, true love, is selfless, requires sacrifice-" Sakura felt phantom cold fingers squeezing down on her windpipe again. "When you love someone, you put them before yourself."
Tobirama's gaze shuttered. He felt small in the face of her passionate speech. "So where does my failure leave us?"
"I don't know," Sakura replied frankly and openly. "As things stand, I cannot forgive you. It's all too fresh." She kept her eyes open against the violent images behind her eyelids. "I need space to heal."
Tobirama raised his hand to cover hers against his cheek, pressing it close for but a moment. Then, for the first time in his living memory, he submitted. He bowed beneath the will of Pompeii and Sakura, forcefully removed from the library.
Something painful and sharp was lodged in his chest, making it hard to move. He pressed his hand, still warm with Sakura's touch, against his chest.
Was this what heartbreak felt like?
Sakura took a seat upon the tatami mat, holding Sai's hand as she moved to kneel. She knew her hosts valued propriety and she'd be damned if she gave them reason to question her. Sakura ignored the flurry of motion, aborted attempts to assist no doubt, from her hosts as she situated herself.
"How are you, Sakura?" Madara asked, wings folded behind his back.
All of the Uchiha had their wings out and Sakura wasn't sure if it boded well or ill for her.
"Considering that it is a struggle to sit down," Sakura said, eyes cast downward in a demure fashion, "I'd say I'm in rather poor health."
Shisui snickered, though it was swiftly cut off with Itachi's elbow in his gut.
"What brings you and your…" Madara's gaze went beyond Sakura's shoulders, to Yamato, Sai, and the Otsutsuki brothers, "associates here?"
"I am here because I have a deal I would like to make."
Izuna's eyes lit with interest and he leaned forward. "A deal?"
"Yes," Sakura said. "As I'm sure you know, I have taken up residence in the Library these past few weeks since Kaguya's attack. We are searching out a permanent residence. Some transients have taken up within the abandoned logging mill. After consulting the charters kept within the Library, I found out that the land is part of your property."
"And you want it?" Madara said.
Sakura smiled. "Yes I do. I know you don't use the land for anything. It goes to waste as it is."
"It is still Uchiha property-"
"You may have it," Izuna interrupted, directing a venomous stare at his brother. "It is the least of what we owe you in light of our clan's actions."
Sakura ducked her head to him in acknowledgement. "I thank you for the offer, Izuna. However, I have learned that nothing is given freely in Pompeii. I will pay the property price in full."
She motioned to Indra and Ashura. They sidled forward, lifting forth an ancient chest. Sakura hid a smile as the wings of the Uchiha flare a bit in fascination.
They placed the chest before Madara and moved back into place behind Sakura, though not before Ashura winked at her.
As Madara popped the lid of the chest, Sakura said, "You see before you a collection of magic items harvested from within a living volcano, specifically the Pompeii volcano." She placed a scroll before her. "This is a meticulous list of all of the items within the chest and their specific properties."
"You'd willingly part with such bounty?" Madara asked, exploring the contents of the chest. "These are worth far more than land."
Sakura looked to Ashura and Indra, frowning slightly. They'd underplayed the value of the items. "It is of little use to us," Ashura said, face solemn. "They are relics of the past; we look toward forming a stable future. The land will serve that purpose."
"Do we have a deal?" Sakura asked.
Madara exchanged looks with his family members before nodding. "We do indeed. If you will remain here, we will gather the deed to the land and draft up an agreement."
"We've drafted one ourselves," Sakura said, passing a stack of papers to Madara. "Please, look it over and we can discuss any amendments that need to be made."
Madara's smile widened. "You came prepared."
"Of course," Sakura said, looking over each of the family members. Itachi and Sasuke did not meet her gaze, though Obito stared at her with a deep curiosity in his eye. "I will not be swindled in any deals I make from here on."
Madara's smile fell away as he looked at her for a long moment. "You're learning the game," he said, rising gracefully to his feet. The rest of his clan stands as well. "If you would wait here, we will gather the necessary materials. Kakashi will bring you tea as you wait." Madara strode out of the room, effectively ending the conversation.
Itachi seemed like he wanted to say something, but a quelling look from Izuna had him following Madara out the door.
Izuna waited until everyone else left before moving to sit before Sakura. He bowed his head to her and spoke, "I apologize for the actions of my clan. They've been severely reprimanded for their actions." His gaze was stormy and Sakura knew that the consequences for his relatives were high. "They will not bother you in the future."
"Thank you, Izuna," Sakura said, reaching out and patting Izuna's hand. "I appreciate your kindness."
"Anything you need," Izuna said, turning his hand over so he could grasp Sakura's. "I will be happy to provide."
"I thank you but that is not necessary. I would appreciate perhaps having a regular tea time again," Sakura said. "I have missed your company."
Izuna's responding smile was luminous. "Of course. Let me know when you get settled in your new home; I have some plans for new floral arrangements."
Sakura nodded, watching as Izuna left.
"I do not trust him," Sai said.
"You don't trust anyone," Sakura replied, casting him an affectionate smile. "Izuna is a good friend and never doubted my innocence. I trust him."
Sai hummed, but thankfully remained silent as Kakashi entered the room, laden down with a tray of tea and biscuits. He kneeled before Sakura and set about pouring the tea, keeping his gaze upon his actions.
Sakura, remembering their last encounter, took the cup from him with a word of thanks, inhaling the sweet spiciness of the tea. "How are you, Kakashi?"
He huffed a laugh. "How are you?" he asked, looking up at her. "You look like death warmed over."
"I didn't heed your advice about the forest," Sakura said.
"From what I understand, that was a smart decision on your part," Kakashi replied, serving tea to the others. "You overcame the forest entity. You shouldn't be afraid of the forest, it should fear you."
Sakura thought back to the battle, to the way her neck still throbbed with mottled bruises. Her hearing would never be the same. But did she fear the forest? No. "Perhaps," she said. She met his eyes, read the keenness, the awareness that hadn't been there during her confrontation with Obito. "Kakashi, why do you stay?"
His expression reminded her of Yamato's, of Sai's, from so long ago: lost and adrift. "I cannot."
"You are always welcome within my home," Sakura said, keeping her voice soft. She felt the brush of Ashura and Indra's magics and knew they would not be overheard. "The invitation is indefinite."
Kakashi looked stunned for but a moment, before his countenance closed off, becoming remote. It was enough forewarning for Sakura as the Uchiha reentered the room, taking their seats. Kakashi slunk into the shadows, disappearing within the recesses of the manor.
Sakura met Madara's gaze evenly. "Shall we continue?"
Tsunade whistled as they crested the hill and the building came into sight. "You have fine taste, girl."
Sakura laughed as she pulled up beside the building, parking the car. Shizune was generously lending the vehicle to Sakura until her finances were in enough order for her to purchase a car of her own. "You'll have to let Sai know, he's the one who designed it."
The building, done in a bright art nouveau style, was still in the process of being built, honed by the will of Yamato. Thus far, it reminded Sakura a bit of an upscale apartment complex or one of the hotels she'd seen in downtown New York.
"You're sitting pretty," Tsunade said as they moved toward the building. "How are you affording this?"
"Yamato is responsible for the construction of the building and Sai for the design. Ashura and Indra have funded a good portion of the expenses with goods preserved from the time of the Founders," Sakura explained, leading Tsunade through the garden. She smiled fondly at the flourishing marigolds, a reminder of her knights. The daffodils were sprouting but not yet in bloom. "I also have a nest egg of funds that I can and have tapped into."
Tsunade's eyes brightened with interest. "Items from the Founding, you say? My coven may be interested in purchasing some."
"Of course," Sakura said, inclining her head. She didn't bother trying to offer any as a gift; she knew Tsunade would not take it. However, Sakura knew well how much she owed Tsunade and her steadfast dedication to exposing the truth. She would make sure that the bartering skewed in Tsunade's favor. "Indra and Ashura would be happy to meet with you."
Tsunade glanced askance at Sakura. "I'm certain that we could make a deal that involves some hearing implements. Magically enhanced, of course."
Sakura stiffened. "I'm fine."
"You are not," Tsunade rebutted. "I may be a witch, but I am a healer first and foremost. I can sense the lasting damage done to your ears. I've also noticed that you keep looking to my lips as I speak. You are having a difficult time hearing, aren't you?"
Sakura flushed, dropping her eyes from Tsunade's mouth. "We've gotten it worked out," she said, thinking of Indra and Ashura's magic. The damage wrought by Kaguya's onslaught, combined with the scars from Dosu's attack, had left her in worse condition than she expected. The magic helped, but there was only so much it could do. "I'm navigating."
"What you have is a makeshift solution at best," Tsunade said, blunt and direct as always. She was used to recalcitrant patients and she refused to let the matter settle. "I can craft hearing aids for you, combining both science and magic in the best possible fashion. You will not have to rely on others for assistance."
Sakura nodded. "I will think on it."
Tsunade suddenly stopped short, a look of consternation crossing her face. "You have a barrier up." She closed her eyes, concentrating. A series of red sparks flashed around her body. "It's strong," she said. "Multiple power sources, smart choice. Requires a verbal invitation and a physical one of some sort." She opened her eyes and stared at Sakura expectantly. "Well?"
"Tsunade, you are welcomed to our home and hearth," Sakura intoned, voice backed by ancient magic. It washed over Tsunade like a gentle rain as Sakura withdrew a nub of charcoal. She pressed up onto her toes, sketching a cradle-shaped symbol on Tsunade's forehead. "I invoke the rune odal and accept you upon my estate."
A shivery sensation traced up Tsunade's spine and she pressed forward, moving into Sakura's territory. They smiled briefly at each other and Sakura was almost sure that there was something fond in Tsunade's gaze, but the moment passed too quickly to be sure.
Sakura led Tsunade up to the entrance of her new home, keying into it. She guided Tsunade through the foyer into the dining area, where the other residents were seated.
Tsunade noticed the way that Orochimaru's experiments tensed at her arrival. There was a hunted look in their eyes, but they forced themselves to relax as Sakura entered. Everyone seemed to brighten at Sakura's arrival, but Tsunade doubted that Sakura even noticed. The girl had no idea the power she wielded, with the trust she'd earned from everyone around the table. They were from all from different walks of life: legendary Founders, clan heirs, social outcasts, and former transients, but Tsunade noticed no difference in the way Sakura behaved around them, bustling around to make sure everyone was settled with refreshments. Grudgingly, Tsunade felt her respect for Sakura rise.
"How was the town hall meeting?" Ino asked as Tsunade sat down. "Were any decisions made?"
Tsunade glanced at Naruto, whose face was uncharacteristically serious. "A petition has been put forth," she said, still spinning from the new development. "Minato Namikaze has been recalled; we will be electing a new mayor."
"Good," Naruto bit out, fury clouding his features. His eyes flashed crimson for a moment before settling to their normal shade of blue. "Da-Minato was unworthy of the office."
"What does this mean?" Yamato asked, looking between Tsunade and Sakura. Tsunade noted the way he sought Sakura for answers.
"It means," Tsunade said, speaking clearly, "that change is finally upon Pompeii." She looked at Sakura. "And the change is falling in your favor."
Sakura's eyes flew open and she frowned, rolling over to check her phone. It was 3:07 AM. What on earth had woken her?
She frowned, something niggling at her. A whisper of sound. She stopped moving, concentrating upon what she heard. It was barely perceptible, akin to white noise or the babbling of water.
Sakura reached out and turned on her lamp, sitting up in bed. She plucked her hearing aids from the shallow metal dish that charged them, popping them into her ears.
The sound, instead of clarifying, vanished completely.
Sakura scrubbed her face, sighing as she stretched. It was apparent that sleep was beyond her right now.
She removed the hearing aids, closing her eyes and listening.
The noise filled her ears again, a pleasant, soft buzz to it. Unwittingly, Sakura's eyes filled with tears and she pressed her face into her knees as her shoulders shook. She hadn't expected to care this much about being able to feel and hear the vibrations with her own ears. The sensation lulled her into a sleepy state and she sat there, perched on her bed, in a stupor-like state for some time.
...lost…
Sakura snapped back to awareness, straining her senses. The word cut through the white clearly, though Sakura couldn't identify anything about the speaker. It was androgynous and felt like it was beyond the realm of most descriptions. It was, however, gentle. "Lost? What is lost?" she asked.
...lost outside…
Sakura got to her feet, throwing on a coat and scarf. Winter was drawing to a close, but the nights were still bitter. She threw on her socks and stuffed her feet into her boots, pocketing her hearing aids as she made her way out of her bedroom. During the building process, she'd requested a single apartment, set with its own living room and kitchen. Yamato understood and created an absolutely stunning apartment, far larger than her previous one.
She drew a flashlight from a kitchen drawer before she grabbed her blades and slipped the obsidian one into her coat pocket, holding the other in hand, beneath her sleeve. It never hurt to be cautious, though she was nearly certain that the voice held no ill will toward her. It beckoned, whispering "lost" and "outside" over and over among the faint white noise.
Sakura slipped out her apartment door, mindful of the light sleepers on the hall. Yamato had the bedroom to her right, Ino the one to her left. She tiptoed down the hall, easing open the stairwell door and sliding beyond it. She traipsed her way down the stairs, hand on the ornate banister that Yamato carved from Sai's designs. Down she went, all four floors until she found herself standing outside.
Sakura drew her scarf up around her face, wishing she had the foresight to wear a hat as well. The white noise increased as Sakura began walking the perimeter, mindful of the protective barrier around her home. She was curious, but she wasn't stupid.
There, just beyond the perimeter, stood Zetsu. He was pacing back and forth, muttering to himself. Truthfully, it seemed more like arguing.
"Zetsu," Sakura called, noting that the white noise faded away. "Zetsu, are you alright?"
Zetsu looked up at her, startled. His gold eyes reflected the light of the flashlight and Sakura could see the confusion in his expression. "She's gone," he said, voice small.
"Who is gone?" Sakura asked, staying on her side of the barrier.
"My mistress," he said, casting his gaze around him. "My purpose…"
Sakura swallowed, something cold creeping up her spine. It curled around her throat and suddenly she was suffocating once more. "You speak of Kaguya."
Zetsu's eyes shot wide. "You know her?"
"She tried to murder me," Sakura said.
Zetsu shook his head, his brow puckering. "No, you are good. You are kind. She wouldn't try to hurt you. She wouldn't try take you from me."
"She tried," Sakura replied. "Why did you serve her, Zetsu? She was evil."
"She created me," Zetsu said simply. "One must serve their creator."
"She's gone now." Sakura gulped. "I killed her."
Zetsu blinked at that, recoiling from her. "You?"
Sakura nodded, watching Zetsu carefully. He hadn't made any moves against her, but she was wary. "She was killing me," Sakura explained. "If I hadn't fought back, she would have killed me and then moved on to kill everyone else in Pompeii."
Zetsu clutched at his head, grimacing. He fell to his knees, arguing furiously with himself. Sakura, unable to read his lips at this position, placed in one of her hearing aids. The anger within his words was all self-directed.
"Zetsu, Zetsu!" Sakura shouted, trying to catch his attention. As he dug his nails into himself, inflicting self-harm, Sakura darted beyond the barrier and grabbed his hands. His head whipped up in her direction. "Stop! You need to stop, Zetsu! You're working yourself into a frenzy."
He slumped, energy leaving him. Sakura kept a grip of his hands as his shoulders began to shake, wracked with sobs.
"She's gone," he moaned, pressing forward and resting awkwardly against Sakura's shoulder.
"I know," Sakura replied, stroking his hair between the leaves of the venus fly trap. "I know. I'm sorry."
Sakura held him as he cried, doing what she could to soothe him. What could she say to him? She was responsible for Kaguya's death. Sakura doubted that anyone else mourned her loss, but Zetsu's pain was a fresh reminder of what she'd done. Sakura's stomach turned, but she held it together as Zetsu pulled away from her.
"Where will I go?" Zetsu asked, pleading with Sakura for answers. "What shall I do? I am nothing without her."
"You are Zetsu," Sakura said firmly. "You are someone, regardless of the existence of others." She chewed her lip, warring in her mind. She knew that the others would not be pleased, but Sakura would not leave him like this: fragmented and broken as an indirect result of her actions. "If you would like, you may come with me. You are welcomed to our home and hearth, Zetsu."
Zetsu looked up at her as if she was the answer he'd been seeking. "Yes," he said, assisting her to her feet. "I will go with you."
The whispers remained silent.
Sakura hummed to herself as she braided Kin's hair, twisting the strands into a cascade.
"Your hair is getting long," Ino commented from behind Sakura, running a brush through her hair. Ino had decided that she wanted to practice her hair styling skills, which led them to right now. Sai and Yamato had already fallen prey to Ino's practice and Indra was up next. "It's past your shoulder blades."
"Really?" Sakura asked, turning slightly. "I hadn't noticed. I guess I haven't gotten it cut in quite some time."
"Don't cut it," Ino said. "I'll trim the dead ends, but it looks fantastic at this length."
"Long hair is easier to pull out of your face," Kin said, glancing up at Sakura.
"Maybe," Sakura said. "I'll see how it handles at work. If it's a hassle, I'll be cutting it off."
Ino pouted and opened her mouth to respond, only to stop as a ringing chime sounded through the room. Everyone tensed, looking at the bell that hung in the corner of the room. Sakura looked to Yamato, who nodded.
"Someone's at the border," Yamato said.
"Did anyone have a guest visiting?" Sakura asked, looking around at the others. They all looked mystified. "Kin do you know if Zaku invited anyone over?"
Kin snorted, moving out from beneath Sakura's ministrations and getting to her feet. "Everyone Zaku knows is in this room."
Sakura stood as well, sighing as she looked over everyone. "Well, let's go out and greet them." She narrowed her eyes at Ashura and Indra. "Do not bring your swords."
"Try and stop me," Indra said, crossing his arms. "I will not allow harm to come your way."
Sakura rolled her eyes but moved toward the door, knowing that she had to pick her battles. This wasn't one that she'd win today. Sakura moved through the door first and her entourage piled through after her.
"Where'd it originate?" Sakura asked, letting Yamato take point.
"This way," Yamato said, heading off to the side of their building.
Ahead of them was an all too familiar 1978 Chevrolet Camaro, parked at the very edge of the barrier. Yagura was perched upon it, with Kisame standing at his shoulder. Yagura smirked as he took in the people at Sakura's back. He moved off of the car, straightening his cufflinks.
"It is good to see you, Sakura," Yagura said, "and your entourage." He nodded at the people surrounding her.
"What brings you here, Yagura?" Sakura asked. "Are you here on personal or Kiri business?"
"I'm afraid this visit isn't for pleasure," Yagura said. "I am here on official business. Will you not invite us in?"
Sakura glanced at her companions, seeing the way their fingers flexed on both seen and hidden weapons. "Not today."
Yagura's smirk widened into a smile. "Understandably. I am only here to let you know that Kiri recognizes your power within Pompeii. Kisame is here as my witness."
Sakura's brow furrowed. "I'm sorry?"
"You know as well as I do that there are different factions within Pompeii. Most, like the Senju and the Uchiha, are separated by clans or clan alliances, like the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi. Kiri is a faction defined by its skillset." His heavy-lidded eyes perused Sakura slowly. "You have founded a group of your own."
"I'm not so sure about that," Sakura said.
"You started with the clone and the soldier, but you've slowly accrued a group of misfits and outcasts for yourself," Yagura said, ignoring the way everyone at Sakura's back clenched their jaws and fists. "We are here to let you know that Kiri offers you our full support and we are prepared to make a formal alliance."
Sakura looked back at her companions, taking in their repressed anger. "Perhaps," Sakura said, returning her attention to Yagura. "As you can see, I didn't even realize we were considered as such. Allow us some time to consider."
Yagura inclined his head. "Of course," he said. "Kisame."
Kisame stepped forward, brandishing a briefcase. Sakura moved through the barrier, ignoring the noises that the others made, and took the briefcase from him. Kisame gave her a warm smile but remained silent.
Yagura began to climb into the car, but paused, looking over at Sakura's eclectic group. "I look forward to seeing the upcoming changes you'll bring."
Sakura shivered, tucking her chin into her knees. It was early morning and the sun was just beginning to rise, the sky lightening in increments. She stared down into the pond, wishing that the calm she used to experience in this clearing would settle her again.
Unfortunately, as she glanced over at the broken shrine, Sakura knew that the magic of this place, the essence of the Maiden was gone. It had been consumed by the peach tree and Kaguya, though the signs of both were no more.
Things were going well, for the most part. Everyone was settling into the new home, though not without some tension. It was impossible to avoid stepping on each other's toes from time to time. Still, Sakura thought that they all got along rather well considering. At the very least, they always showed up for Thursday night dinners and movie nights.
She got along well with all of her coworkers and it was paced slowly enough that her healing was nearly complete. Sakura enjoyed the clinic's atmosphere and the kindness offered by everyone there.
Pompeii was slowly reacclimating to her presence. She'd received countless apologies, some more heartfelt than others. Sakura wasn't all that sure what she thought of Pompeii's denizens. With the upcoming recall election, they were moving in the right direction, but she wasn't sure what that meant for her personally. Where were they when she was being defamed? Where were they when she was sacrificing herself for their sakes?
She hadn't forgiven them, not yet.
Sakura needed time to gain clarity and peace around the past year. She deserved it and owed it to herself.
There was still tension. There was so much bitterness hidden away in different pockets of Pompeii; rage built upon experienced injustices. Sakura defeating Kaguya had turned down the heat for the moment, but Sakura knew it was only a matter of time before the pot boiled over again. This time though, Sakura knew she would be ready.
"Ah, Sakura, what a surprise!"
Sakura blinked, coming out of her introspection and turning toward the interloper. Before her stood Danzo, armed with a cane to make his way across the rough terrain. He smiled at her, raising a hand in greeting.
"Danzo," Sakura said, nodding in acknowledgement.
"I am surprised you would return to this site," Danzo said, groaning as he knelt beside her. "I know you fought for your life here."
"The good memories outweigh the bad," Sakura said, tracing a finger through the icy water. She watched the ripples spread out from the touch. "This is a sacred spot for me."
"I am glad to that your battle with Kaguya did not pervert the experience," Danzo said, eyes following the ripples.
"What brings you here?" Sakura asked, curious despite herself.
This location was important to her, but why would he care about it? It had been a site of spectacle in the first few weeks post-Kaguya, but now? The remnants of police tape at the edges of the clearing spoke of the time that had passed and the lack of reverence offered to the broken shrine.
"It is a good place to contemplate," Danzo said, smiling at her. "Mere feet from where we sit you swung the pendulum, changing the course of history."
Sakura felt a flush rise to her cheeks. "It wasn't as elegant as all of that," Sakura said, remembering the stench of fear, desperation, and righteous anger that clung to her during the fight. She hadn't been thinking of noble goals, only her survival. "It certainly was not as important as you're making out."
Danzo shook his head. "Look at the ripples your touch left upon the surface of the pond. Consider them as Kaguya, doing as she pleased and affecting all around her." He reached out with his cane, dipping the head of it beneath the surface. Concentric circles echoed out from the touch, colliding with Sakura's ripples. "This is you, rising up and casting Kaguya down from her dominion. You upset her balance; surpassed it. The changes you wrought are still taking shape." He regarded her seriously. "Never underestimate your power here in Pompeii. Pompeii has chosen you as one of its beloved."
With those words, Danzo got to his feet and began the slow trek back into town.
Sakura stared into the pond, watching the ripples clash with each other. Danzo's words and metaphor were eloquent, but the result looked like a cataclysmic disaster. She hoped that this part of the metaphor wouldn't play out in life.
She wasn't sure if she wanted to be responsible for so much change.
Sakura looked back to the Maiden's shrine, seeking answers there. She noticed a small clump of white growing near the base, between the fissure left by the peach tree.
Dandelions.
Sakura snorted, shaking her head at herself. She was acting silly. Change was the only constant in the world; she wasn't its progenitor. Hell, even nature was trying to remind her of that fact, in the very changing of the seasons.
Spring was here.