Chapter 10: Confrontations
A/N: Hey guys sorry for the absence. I've just been away from civilization for three days and two nights but I've thought of this chapter because of that experience. No more talk more reading. Warning: this chappie is a little bit dramatic.
As Sakura stared at the slowly vanishing figure of the running Naruto, a curtain of rain started to drape over the earth. At that instant, she looked up to let the rain wet her face and wash her now flowing tears. Somehow she wanted to return to the lake.
The rain disturbed the glassy surface causing multiple ripples all at once. Sakura gradually stepped into the lake. The water was ice cold against her warm but wet skin but she didn't mind at all. All she cared about was the fact that somehow she got her revenge but the effect was more then she could bear. Though somewhere in her deepest desires she wanted him to feel what she felt that night when he left her when she needed him the most, she never wanted to hurt him this much. She saw his immense pain when she stared into his expressive blue eyes. Though his smile lied, his eyes spoke truthfully and his reply was his silent tears. The image of Naruto kept flashing into her mind even on the little instant when she closed her eyes. I'm sorry Naruto. I never meant to hurt you and Hinata too. You're both my friends. I never expected things to turn out the way they did. But why only now? Why not when I was there crying my eyes out in front of you? Why now?
Sakura let her tears fall into the lake as slowly the curtain of rain began to dissipate. She bowed her head and let her hair tumble down her shoulders and float around her. Naruto, why only now… when I am already falling for him? Through their constant debates and arguments, she saw and understood him. It never occurred to her that all the while that they were slowly growing close of each other she was unconsciously falling for him. I found myself again when I met him for the second time. He somehow extinguished the wild fire of hopelessness that was eating me alive. It seemed impossible and it was really. His cold stares, his rude replies or even his odd presence… these were the only things I received from him but somehow it seems to be enough. I found myself smiling at his stares, appreciating his short replies and cherishing his presence. The weird thing is… I don't know why. By some strike of coincidence, the rain stopped and she felt an odd presence she grew fond of. His presence was growing strong, he was approaching her but she didn't turn around.
She can't face him right now… she wasn't ready. Why am I trembling like this? I'm not nervous or anything am I? No, I'm scared not because of him but because of what I might see or do when I'm near him. She looked for a way out and she found one. It was stupid but it was her only way out. She shut her eyes and dived into the lake. She had escaped him or so she thought.
Gaara saw her as she again ran towards the lake. Something was telling him to follow her. So he did. As he saw her there, miserable under the cold rain as she cried bitterly, he felt neither pity nor any other degrading emotion. As he continued to stare at her, he felt he deeply admired this maiden. She was strong when she needed to be strong. She never let her emotions tangle her thoughts. But she is still a girl first and foremost. He followed her from the moment she left the room, to the time she met Naruto and until here. The odd thing is he didn't know or even wonder why. The only thing he could think of was her. Her intoxicating scent, her curious stares and even her enchanting voice, he found out that he missed these simple things when the others came and unconsciously separated them.
Just by thinking of these things he felt he longed for her and wanted so much to feel her nearness. Without hesitation, he focused his chakra on the sole of his feet and approached her. Gaara saw her trembling. Why is she trembling? Is she scared? Then he saw glimpse of her eyes his question was answered. No, she's not scared… she never was. As he saw her shut her entrancing eyes and dived, he dashed towards her and grabbed her arm.
Someone pulled her towards the surface. She opened her eyes to see that it was him. She can't handle looking into his eyes so she looked away as she asked under her suppressed sobs, "What are you doing here?"
"Don't play dumb. You knew I was following you ever since you left the room," he replied as he stared down at her. He was following me all this time? I thought he left when… the realization dawned to her. She knew he was there the moment Naruto confessed. It was his presence that gave her the strength to reject Naruto's love. It was because she loves him. Sakura could only look at her reflection in the water as Gaara continually looked at her. Gaara removed the chakra from his soles, plunging into the water below.
Surprised by the splash of water, Sakura turned around. Only to have her face to face with him, she was hypnotized by his unfamiliar gaze. Somehow this stare was unlike any before… it was… warm. As she gazed back at him, she sought the answers to the questions her heart was demanding. Even before she could find one, Gaara bent forward to brush his lips against hers as if seeking for a reply. Without thinking, Sakura kissed him back. Words could never put into justice the things they felt at the instant their lips touched. They found heaven in only a simple kiss.
All too soon the moment ended at the rooster sang to the rising sun. "We should go back," Gaara said as he turned around to walk towards the shore. Sakura was again tongue-tied. She could only nod in reply.
Kagura headed the briefing between her five warriors and the other ninjas. The new comers started to ask questions about their terrain, the people and all the necessary things needed to insure the safety of the village. "Gaara, I'm sure you already noticed that you can't manipulate the sand here, am I right?" Kagura questioned. "You control the earth on your boundaries but when I leave this terrain the sand will follow my orders." Gaara replied rudely as usual. "That is right, but know that I now giving you the permission to use our earth here." She finished. At that instant, the sands whirled around its unyielding master and formed into a gourd at his back.
"Your superiors ordered you to have me as your commander for now, am I correct?" Kagura asked as she was about to designate their missions for the day. "Yes," the foreign ninjas answered all together. "The blood countess will begin her attack when the moon shows its true form. It has been that way ever since. As you can see, our numbers dwindled to only five that is one of the reasons I've called you here. As related by my warriors, fatal attacks must be delivered to insure that the enemy will be incapable of ever striking back. Normal attacks such as those that render the enemy unconscious or disabled won't do. Trust me we've already tried. In short, I'm asking you to kill." She ordered with a voice of authority.
Hinata, Shizuka and Ino could only swallow slowly in reply because in fact they were the only ones except for Sakura that has no experience in ever killing a man. Shizuka stared at Sakura's reaction. She found none. No fear, nor anger… nothing. It was as if she was accepting a regular mission on a regular basis. Seeing this, she stopped freaking out and started to think logically again. If she can do it so can I.
Gaara side glanced at Sakura when the order to kill was announced. As he saw her unresponsiveness, he smiled to himself. She's trying to think logically at this mission and yet she's able to keep her doubts to herself. Shizuka glared at Gaara as she saw his uncommon stare and his warm smile addressed only to Sakura. Her stare then traveled to Sakura who was intently listening to the details on the orders that followed. So she's the one that hinders my goal. I think I should pay my enemy a visit. Sakura felt her eyes on her so she looked towards Shizuka and smiled silently. Shizuka however shrugged her off.
"Naruto, Ino, Shikamaru, Kankuro, Temari, Gaara and Kouga, you will be surveying the terrain to ensure a proper defense. Kouga will show to you the details you will need. Gaara you will lead this mission. Sakura and the four of you remain here for further information on your mission. If there are no further questions, the others are dismissed."
The others left the room leaving Sakura, Sasuke and the other four with Kagura. "Sakura, are you familiar with my warriors?" Kagura inquired. "No, I only knew Kouga." She honestly replied as she looked at the four. "This is Brick." Kagura gestured towards the enormous man who once attacked her using his massive hammer. Brick Smiled at him as he said, "You fought well, little missy." "This is Hyakku." She tapped the shoulder of the man that was sitting on an armchair while chewing on a cat nip. Hyakku spat out the piece on grass and somehow saluted to her. "This is Fuuma." The man with three samurai swords on his side smiled gently despite his fearsome appearance. "And this is Syaoran." The man almost her age moved forwards to grab her hand, bow formally and kiss her hand. This feeling… was he the one who held my hand in the cave? She pondered as she looked unconsciously at the now smiling Syaoran. His chestnut brown hair framed his chocolate eyes, she observed as she unconsciously grew pink. "Is something wrong?" Syaoran inquired appealingly. This drove her out of her thought, "N… no, err, umm, it was nice meeting you all." Sakura could only bow to hide her flushing cheeks. Sasuke stepped forward to somehow hide her from them. Nobody knows why.
"Alright, now that you are all acquainted. Your mission is to investigate the ruins in the far north. Though it might seem impossible, I do believe it is a possible location." Kagura said grimly. "Location for what?" Sakura interrupted. "The tower in which the Blood Countess hides. Though Seiya had the prophecy, it was a mystery to us where "the Black Tower" is located. You are sent to investigate it. And your leader will be… Sakura." She proclaimed.
No negative comments were heard except for hers alone though she was expecting someone to react negatively though, "Wait, why am I the leader? I don't even know the terrain." Sakura blurted out. "You fought well that is enough for us." Brick answered her with a grin. "You are a medical ninja, am I correct?" Kagura asked. "Yes, but what has that got to do with this?" "Even though, you find nothing in those ruins. I am sure you will be able to meet some of the Blood Countess' loyal followers. I need you to know what is really their weak point to bring them down totally. You can't do it here since there might be a risk for an attack." She concluded. "What risk?" "When one dies, it "sings"". "Sings?" "It cries out a beautiful melody that in truth calls for reinforcements." Hyakku continued. "I see, so when one dies there is only minutes before the others arrive, am I right?" Sakura asked. The others could only nod in reply. After that, she dismissed them.
"Sakura, may I have a word with you?" Kagura caught up with her as she walked with her. "Of course,"
"In this mission, you must dress as a man not by using your chakra but by "Manual" means."
"What? Why?"
"The Blood Countess never touched the maidens in our nation since she knew everyone was only "observers" and none were part of the "normal" or may I say "mortal" world. Let me inform you that the Blood Countess' thirst for virgin blood was never quenched. Though she never proclaimed war against the other nations, it doesn't mean that she never killed anyone. She had been kidnapping virgin maidens ever since her silence. None of them ever returned."
"So that's where the myth of forest of fate came from – where one with an impure heart never returns. It was always assumed that all the maidens who entered where imprisoned by the forest. But what of the men that had gone missing?" "The shadows drained their blood to replace their decaying ones."
"Oh, I see."
"Are you sure you want to continue on with this mission?"
"Of course, I think this would be interesting."
Sakura's mission will start in one hour so she headed towards their room to prepare. Entering the room, she found it empty so she started to arrange the equipments needed in their mission. As she did, Shizuka entered the room. Her stare never left Sakura as she approached her. Sakura could only raise an eyebrow in confusion. "Hi, Shizuka," Shizuka was now right in front of her. Her closeness was making Sakura uncomfortable. "I don't know what he sees in you? For me your just plain normal." Shizuka spoke rudely as she stared at Sakura from head to toe while walking around her slowly. "What? I don't believe I understand." Shizuka sighed pityingly. "It's a pity; you have the face but no brains. From now on Haruno, Sakura, I consider you as a rival though I don't think you even deserve it. So stay out of my way." She said arrogantly as she made her way towards the door making sure that her shoulders hit Sakura's.
What! What was that about? Sakura shouted in her mind. "Mission first, other later," Sakura convinced herself as she resumed her preparations. Now, how to dress as a man. Hmmm… Sakura looked at the mirror. "I guess the hair comes first." She wrestled with her long hair until it looked like a man's hair as short as Sasuke's. Then she took her medical bandage "Now for you," and she started to bind her breast to make it look like a chest. It was easier said than done. When she was finished it took her a lot of practice to control her breathing, breathing didn't come easy when you have a compressed breast. And the last she wore the clothes Syaoran lent him. It was a little baggy but it was a perfect fit, concealing her curves and her bounded hair.
She arrived at their rendezvous point in the mid-afternoon. All her team mates were there. As she drew near towards them, Sasuke wondered who this person was. "Sakura, we should get going," Syaoran suggested as he walked towards her side. "Sakura! Why are you dressed like that?" Sasuke asked curiously as he eyed her from head to toe. "Err, Long story. Uhh… Sure." "Sakura, your orders are?" Sasuke interrupted. "We are to depart to the far north to investigate the ancient ruins. Further more if anyone finds anything suspicious, it should be reported immediately to me. If any presence of an enemy is detected no one should battle one alone, am I understood?" Sakura said with a voice of confidence and authority. Everyone was astonished at her enthusiasm. "Yes," Her team said simultaneously. Sakura was the first to leave and the other five followed.
They arrived at the ruins in the late afternoon. Broken pillars, ran down walls and wrecked roofs was the first sight they saw. "Divide into pairs and investigate." Sakura ordered. Since they came from the north main entrance, Hyakku and Brick to the west, Syaoran and Fuuma to the east, and Sasuke and Sakura to the south.
The stale air greeted them as they entered the ruined tower. Everywhere they go the sight was the same. Sakura was leaning into a narrow passage hole when Brick called out, "Boss, we got one." It was then followed by a horrific screech. Sasuke and Sakura arrived at the scene to see that Brick, Hyakku, Fuuma and Syaoran were surrounding a hooded figure with a huge scythe. "Sakura, what do you want me to do?" Sasuke asked as he grabbed his kunai to position it almost in front of his face. "Brick, how long before it regains consciousness?" Sakura shouted as she dodged the reaping action of the scythe. "Three to five minutes, why?" Brick answered as he tried to attack the creature with his hammer but to no avail. Sakura glanced at Sasuke and nodded. "Understood," Sasuke stealthily moved to the blind spot of the enemy while the others distracted it. At an instant, Sakura thought the plan would fail when the creature felt Sasuke's presence behind him but Sasuke evaded its attack effortlessly, anchoring his legs to the scythe's wooden handle to gain a full fulcrum of an ingenious attack. The enemy slid to Sakura's feet…unconscious.
Sakura immediately grabbed her kunai to begin the dissection. While positioning the kunai right in front of its chest, it instantly swung its scythe at her. By reflex, she evaded the fatal attack by mere millimeters. She felt its tip slice the corner of her neck causing a small but deep laceration. Blood rapidly flowed from her wound, she felt it but the others didn't notice. She didn't mind since all she cared about was the creature for now. Brick and the others held the creature's limbs while Sakura begun to dissect it alive.
She sliced open its decaying body with her sharp kunai. The horrid stench of decaying flesh spread through the place. The others could only turn away to somehow avoid smelling it but Sakura familiar to this stench was unaffected. She observed the organs still functioning at the absence of fresh blood. Since Brick said that the creature sings, then… Sakura effortlessly cut out the creature's voice box which was kind of easy locating since it was a man before after all. The decaying heart was now pumping faster than usual. She hesistated but then she still did. She plunged her kunai at the pumping organ. It stopped immediately, followed by a sad melody. What the hell? I cut off its larynx. Where is the sound coming from? Urgh, forget it. Sakura still proceeded with her dissection as the melody continued. She found a black pearl in both its brain and heart.
"Sakura, we don't have much time." Hyakku informed her anxiously. "I'm done. Let's go," she ordered as hid the two pearl inside her garment. It wasn't long before the reinforcements arrived. They were five or eight to her count. "Strike the head and the heart that is their fatal points." She announced as she threw three kunai at the three hooded figures in front of her. The others followed soon they were the only ones standing but the sad melody still came and they know that their victory won't last long.
As they were almost in the vicinity of the village, they saw a multitude of the creatures assembled outside its walls as if preparing to attack, "We must warn them." Sakura declared for she knew that from the walls the creatures seem invisible. "Well, make an opening. You will dash to walls and warn them." Sasuke suggested. "Are you sure?" Sakura glanced at the others. "It's good to die for a woman," Fuuma replied cheerfully. Sakura struck him lightly on the forehead, "No ones going to die, I promise," she said as she resumed her observation on the army of hooded figures.
Then the creatures begun screeching in low tones, "Sakura, we should hurry up. I think it's their call for attack now." Hyakku said almost at the same time when one grey hooded figure gave out a loud screech. The creatures were moving. "Now," The others dashed forward and created an opening for her to run. But it the call for attack was already given so the rest of the army marched on forward.
Gaara was inspecting the guards on the walls when one shouted out "There is someone there on the plains right outside the walls!" Gaara's sand instinctively shot out from the ground below Sakura to hit her in her midsection. Sakura was surprised by Gaara's actions and realized that she was still dressed as a man. She only stared at the red-headed figure above the walls since she had difficulty in shouting. Gaara was now ordering his sand to kill when he caught sight of the stranger's emerald eyes. "Shit!" Gaara immediately halted his attacks. Sakura felt this and pointed behind her to reveal an army of strange beings. She tried to shout but to no avail. Her shout was but a mere whisper so she tried to get up. Gaara somehow understood and saw what she meant. He raised orders for the emergency defense, calling for all the ninjas to stay in their posts and all the while guarding Sakura's back while she sprinted towards the wall.
Focusing the chakra on her feet, she ran up the wall and landed to the congregation of ninjas below. She removed her mask that hid her nose and mouth. "Hit them fatally at the head and the heart." She proclaimed. "Sakura, why are you…" Ino was just about to ask when "No time to explain. Here they come." Sasuke warned as he and the others landed almost behind Sakura.
The ninjas fought relentlessly as the number of the enemies dwindled. Shizuka was fighting two of them while one swung his scythe at her. She didn't know what to do so she closed her eyes. The pain she expected didn't came. "Open your eyes, little girl and continue fighting," a voice said and as Shizuka opened her eyes she found out that it was Sakura blocking the attack for her. Irritated by her action, Shizuka somehow got agitated but continued on fighting. The battle lasted for hours. Until the ninjas, rein victorious.
Sakura was healing the wounded and the others were resting near her when Shizuka approached her, "Don't expect I owe you anything. You did that on your own…" Shizuka was cut short. "Don't get me wrong, Shizuka. You are my ally first and fore most and you're no good to me dead." Sakura replied with a tone that completely overthrew hers as she walked away.
A/N: Sooo? What do you think of this chappie? Common tell me please.