Type: Romance/Mystery

Rating: PG-13 (for now)

Paring: Ita/Saku, other minor pairs

World: AU

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, anyone, or anyplace associated with the manga and anime of Naruto.

Chapter 4: Coercion

Sakura waited for the inevitable storm. She knew that the moment those words left her mouth that there would be a severe reaction from those closest to her. She was not disappointed. The shocked silence lasted for a few short seconds before Tsunade exploded.

"The HELL you will!" Sakura glanced at her, startled that she would be the first to object.

"But why? You need someone to do it, and I can. I have the abilities to-"

"My lady, sending Sakura would be detrimental to the village. Her skills and knowledge are too important to allow her to leave for an extended period outside of the gates." Kakashi was speaking now, his one visible eye locked in a deadly contest with his leader. Others in the room began to protest, from Lee with his declarations of devotion and fear to Neji, who reasoned that sending such an asset away from the village constituted madness.

Once again Tsunade thundered for silence and sent everyone out of her office with a dark look. Once the room was void of everyone except Sakura, Kakashi and Shikamaru, Tsunade pushed herself away from her desk, stood, and began to pace.

"Sakura, they have a point. You are more valuable than you know. If I send you it could cost this village much more than we are willing to pay. I refuse to pander to your whims of heroism. There is much about this mission that you do not know and I do not think you are prepared or suited to such an endeavor."

"But I want to go! You haven't sent me on a mission since the war. I've been twiddling my thumbs at the hospital and I'm beginning to feel restless and useless. No one really needs me here!" Her voice softened at the end of her statement and her eyes misted. Tsunade ceased her pacing and looked--really looked at the girl, no, woman that was her apprentice. It was then that she was struck with insight to the real problem. Sakura Haruno had been doomed to the shadows since her name was listed alongside Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto. She did not have exceeding amounts of power or an amazing Kekkei Genkai, and she did not have the blood of a leader.

Sakura had been overlooked time and time again and she was ready to step out of the shadows and into the light of her own making. Tsunade could not find fault with this desire as she herself had once been in a similar position. She knew that Sakura was constantly watching the backs of her boys as they reached new heights, all the while accepting the hardest role of all: the supporter.

"Do you really think that no one needs you, Sakura?" The girl looked towards Kakashi as he sat down beside her. He looked troubled, as if knowing that he was partially responsible for this idea. Kakashi would be the first to admit that he'd overlooked the female member of his team simply because she didn't show potential. He'd forgotten that it had been his job as her sensei to find that potential and bring it out.

"Stop it, sensei. Don't blame yourself for the past. We have too much to think about in the here and now," Sakura said as she put a gentle hand on his shoulder. Her words were a comfort--a small one because the guilt still sat with him. Sakura continued, "Besides, you guys… this is what I'm here for. I want to do this mission so that someone I care for will be able to live life in happiness. It is my ninja way to care for my friends. And also, it will give me the chance to travel and see parts of the world I've never gotten to see." Sakura stood and looked at both of her teachers expectantly. "I made Jounin three months ago and I believe it's time I took an A-rank mission." Tsunade sighed she could feel herself relenting, but was not quite ready to give in yet. Still, she nodded to Shikamaru.

"Bring me the mission scroll and the box beside it." The young man nodded and slipped from the room. Tsunade looked at Sakura and tried to not worry about the girl. She was a Haruno and that family had more secrets than anyone would ever know. Tsunade herself didn't truly grasp how much her apprentice had going for her. She decided that the time had come for the ninja world to remember the strength of the lost family.

"Sakura, I don't want you to go, but I suppose that there is nothing I can do to dissuade you from your path. However, we still have a problem concerning your Kekkei Genkai." Sakura smirked, suddenly feeling a tad bit smug.

"Meet me at training ground three this afternoon and bring Shikamaru. I guess I should let all of you in on my little secret." Tsunade leaned back and glanced at Kakashi. Sakura had left quickly after her parting words, a spring in her step and her head held high. Kakashi sighed heavily and leaned forward as the door closed.

"My lady, I just don't feel right about sending her out of the village. I know you've been training her, but she isn't equipped with the necessary-"

"You have a bad habit of underestimating her, Hatake. I suggest you look through the old history books and read up on her family. It seems you aren't the only Copy Ninja out there."

The pain was immense as it shot from his shoulder blades down his arms. His spine threatened to snap as he arched off the bed, screaming himself hoarse. The only sensation that registered in his brain was the feeling of being ripped apart from the inside out. He didn't feel the heavy weight of Hyouzan and Fuyu as they held his thrashing body down. He didn't feel the biting cold of the winter wind as it swept into the room in an attempt to calm him. He couldn't hear the screams that tore themselves from his throat, sounding much like the cry of a demon. The Pack had moved Itachi after the ceremony, returning him to his rooms to fight the coming agony in some comfort.

"He is fighting the Change." Nadare stood with several of the other pack members, watching in horror as the young man she favored as her own pup was caught up in a maelstrom of agony.

"He must not allow it to take his mind," Fuyu grunted as Itachi jerked from side to side. "He must merge with it equally or he will die." The leader of the Wolves was accustomed to this procedure, having seen it many times before, so his stare did not waver. Instead he bore down with all of his weight upon the young man in an attempt to keep him from further hurting himself.

Suddenly, Itachi stopped moving. His body went lax and his chest bellowed with the force of his gasps. He fought hard simply breathe as the Wolves watched dark markings appear on his pale skin.

On his hands appeared paw marks, with pads on each finger and his palms turning black completely. On his cheeks sprung up two whisker marks. Had they opened his eyes, they would have seen the pupils change to slits. His teeth elongated as his ears sharpened slightly. It was no thin sheen of perspiration that covered his skin. No, he was drenched in it to the point where he began to shiver almost uncontrollably. Nadare padded over to the window and closed it as Hyouzan bounded from the room to find towels.

"How do you think he will handle becoming like us?" Nadare moved closer to her mate, running her cheek over his affectionately before she sat next to him as he stood sentry over their Kage.

"He is strong, my love. I don't know exactly what to expect, but I have a feeling that he will consider himself finally accepted into a family. You must have faith that he will be the same Itachi that we have known for so long. There is a chance that the merging will steal his conscious self away, leaving only a monster in his place but…I do not want to think about what we will have to do should something like that happen." The female wolf leaned her head against the bed, her cold nose picking up the scent of her human son as he continued to fight for breath.

"How long until we know?"

"I do not think we will have to wait more than a day. If we awakens by tonight, we will know if the scroll has yet another soul to seal within itself."

Sakura had begun to pack in earnest, sorely missing Ino at a time like this. Tsunade had warned her that she would not need to pack all of her clothes as she would be given new ones, but that she should focus on sentimental items and other things she would not want to live without.

"So I guess that means my ipod goes in this box while my bikini goes in this one…" A white cat lounged on the windowsill right next to her head, purring softly. Sakura smiled gently and reached up to scratch its ear. Thankfully, the cat was one of the many things she wouldn't be forced to leave behind. It had been decided that Sakura would store whatever she didn't take, but deciding what she wished to part with was a hard thing to do. She wouldn't let herself dwell on the reality of what she was going to do, nor the terrible pain of separating herself from her friends and beloved village. She'd been warned that it was totally possible that she would not be allowed to continue as a kunoichi once she married the Yukikage. It was also a possibility that she would never see her friends again.

Sakura sighed and shook her head, refusing to let herself become bogged down with second guessing and worry. Her mother had always said that it was not wise to look so far ahead that you do not see what is right in front of you. Never try to cross a bridge until you come to it. A knock on her door snapped Sakura out of her self pep talk.

"Sakura?" The girl looked up to see Kakashi standing quite awkwardly in the doorway. "I was wondering if, perhaps, you needed help?" She smiled at her old sensei and nodded towards a stack of books.

"You could put those books in that box, and then help me finish up with some stuff in the kitchen." He nodded and got to work, crinkling his nose as the cat gave him a deadly hiss and flounced from the room.

"You know, out of all of my students I would have pegged you for a dog person Sakura."

"Well, I thought about dogs but cats seemed to be drawn to my Earth chakra. Besides… I've gotten used to having them around." He nodded and they worked in silence for awhile. However, that silence became thick with unspoken words and cold regret. Sakura knew that the man across from her was fighting to speak and she appreciated that.

"So… I'm going to be the wife of a Kage. Can you just imagine me sitting in those robes and trying to remember the names of every visiting dignitary?" She forced a laugh that sounded false even to her ears. Kakashi remained stone faced as he continued to place miscellaneous objects into a box. Sakura could see the cogs turning furiously in his mind, driving him insane with second guessing and fear.

"STOP!" Kakashi didn't look up as his student barked out the command. Sakura crouched down in front of him and placed her tiny hands on his. She waited until his troubled midnight gaze slid up to hers.

"I read about your family history, Sakura. I never knew that your mother was from a powerful clan in Stone. I also read that your father gave you another talent that you've neglected to use." Sakura's eyes were the ones to dart away this time.

"Kakashi, I have lived my whole life afraid to get too close to anyone and yet equally afraid to be forgotten. You saw how I reacted to Sasuke… the way I threw myself at him. I wanted his attention, but ya know… I think I would've been afraid to touch him for very long even if he had given me what I wanted." Kakashi looked down at their hands, noticing for the first time that it was not skin that caressed him, but leather. And these gloves were special; made to enhance chakra into the palms.

"Why you? Why are you going to throw away your life for a girl who has teased you every day of your life?" Sakura seemed taken aback for two reasons: one being his view of her friendship with Ino and the other being that Kakashi had never shown this much concern for her before.

"…That is my Nindo. Why do you allow Gai to flit around you like a puppy?" Kakashi snorted.

"I have no choice in that area. I think he might be in love with me in some twisted sort of way. Too bad I prefer softer curves." Sakura pinched the hand that slid up her side. Kakashi frowned, growing serious once more. He let out a little sigh that for a brief moment made Sakura worry about him. "I just know what it'll be like for you there. The life of a wealthy lady is not as easy as you think. You must always hold yourself above all the rest, and you must continually bring dignity and honor to the name you've married into. You must also show poise, graciousness and peace at all times. My mother had a very hard time balancing these requirements with her kunoichi tendencies. That's one of the reasons my father moved from Yuki and came to Konoha."

"Have some faith in me, Kakashi. Trust that I know what I'm doing with my life."

"Sasuke said something like that three days before he disappeared. I also have a hard time seeing you living with a guy you don't know, expected to act the wife in every way." Kakashi's words sunk like stones into Sakura's mind, opening up a whole new level of her undertaking that she had failed to think about. She almost paled at the thought, but steeled herself immediately. This was not the time for second thoughts. In fact, there could be no seconds thoughts. She had chosen her path and she would walk it.

"Well… I suppose there will be some rough patches… but I'm going to do it. Besides, you haven't seen some of my techniques. Just wait until later this afternoon and I'll show you how strong I've become." They were able to work in relative peace after that, and Sakura truly enjoyed the few hours she had the famous Copy Ninja all to herself.

Soon, the time came for Sakura to make good on her promise to reveal her secret. Kakashi waited as she found her boots in all the mess and walked with her to the training grounds.

"…And you never used this power because…?"

"I didn't really become aware of it until I started training with Lady Tsunade. Even then I wasn't sure what I had until one day my Kekkei Genkai just kind of activated."

They stopped at the edge of the grounds. The snow was piling high upon the earth as the bitter winds swept through the trees.

"Well, let's hurry this up, Sakura." Tsunade held a belligerent look as Sakura shrugged and motioned for Shikamaru.

"Attack me as best you can, Shika." The young man nodded and launched forwards, sending a barrage of kunai and shuriken to trip up his opponent. Sakura dodged and pounded the ground, sending up a flurry of snow and chunks of grass and dirt. She weaved in and out of the flying missiles, coming ever closer to the Shadow User. They parried and flew across the ground until Sakura was able to land a direct hit. However, instead of punching she grabbed Shikamaru's neck, focusing her chakra briefly. He tore away and began to fashion the hand signs for his Shadow Possession Jutsu. Suddenly, he was stopped still as his own shadow was turned on himself. Sakura concentrated, feeling Shikamaru's power being copied into her brain, feeling her jutsu unlocking the seals and hard work of the Nara Kekkei Genkai. When she felt that she'd grasped it accordingly, she moved.

The three ninja stood in shock as Sakura held Shikamaru in his pose, perfectly copying his family jutsu. After moving his limbs about like a puppet master with a puppet she released him with a smile, stretching as he slid to the ground.

"How… how did you?" Shikamaru stared at Sakura as if he'd never seen her before. Never had he felt such a shock as when her hand touched his neck. It was like she was stealing a part of him away; she was taking a piece of him that he could never have back.

"Okay. Now that we have seen Sakura's Kekkei Genkai, everyone meet in my office. It's too bloody cold out here to stand much more of this." Tsunade was gone in a pop. The others followed quickly.

Itachi woke to the sound of many voices whispering in hushed tones. An aching shock tore through his spine, exploding in a colorful spat of pain as the world tilted. He groaned softly, feeling around for the fur of his companion. Hyouzan was there in an instant, rubbing his snout against the Uchiha's face.

"You are alive! Father!" Fuyu's voice answered at a much softer level, and Itachi suddenly realized he felt different. His senses were magnified by several times. He could hear the sound of a bird flying high up in the sky outside his window. He could smell the individual scents of each wolf in the room. He could almost see as the vibrations of voices and movement and general sounds assaulted his brain with synapses. His entire body felt contorted; as if he were sitting in the skin of something else.

"Do not be alarmed, Itachi. This is part of the price you have paid in order to lead us." Itachi shook himself and became aware of a slight shift upon his person. An added weight fell upon his frame, and it was then that he could sense the feeling of fur as opposed to skin.

"I am different."

"Indeed. Itachi, as the Yukikage you have been given the gift of walking in both the human world…and the world of the wolf."

"Do you mean that I am now a wolf?" Fuyu chuckled softly.

"Yes, but only on the night of no moon. Otherwise you will be as a human. I suggest you try and stand."

"He will NOT stand until he is good and strong enough. Fuyu, you cannot force such a burden on him so soon." Nadare was the saving grace at that moment. She nuzzled Itachi and instructed him to lie down.

"You will rest. Your wolf form will still be in effect when you wake up." Itachi nodded and settled back down gingerly, soothed into sleep by the sounds of his family.

"Sakura, this power of yours is… astounding. The ability to steal a person's Kekkei Genkai and use it against them is a rare trait." Sakura blushed at the praise, proud that she'd surprised her mentor.

"As I learn to harness it better, I'll be able to not only copy someone's ability, but I'll be able to turn it back on them with twice the strength and ferocity of their attack." Tsunade was indeed shocked by her student's hidden power. No one would have suspected the young pink haired girl to have the same essential copying ability as the Sharingan. And to be able to turn it back on an opponent with twice the force…

"You have demonstrated a Kekkei Genkai worthy of this village. However I do not see any lineage that is as old or respected as the Yamanaka and Hyuuga."

"Milady… I may have the solution to that dilemma. I searched the archives as you instructed, and I came across these old files." Shizune tentatively laid down an aged stack of scrolls. Tsunade grabbed one up and perused the contents.

"My lady, I am the only living child of the eldest daughter of the daimyo of Earth country. My mother married a Konoha nin and they moved here. That nin was known as the "Life Stealer" becuase of his ability to touch someone and suck out their life force. My lineage stretches as far back as Ino and Hinata's. I believe those scrolls should back me up." Kakashi was staggering with the new information. He'd known of Sakura's father, but no one had ever found out that he'd been a father. The man had died when Kakashi was fourteen. Shikamaru looked upon the kunoichi with a newfound respect, also having heard of her father. He now knew first hand that the stories of the man's terrible ability were true. Never again would they pass her over as a simple young woman.

"Then, as an ambassador for the village of Konoha, I Tsunade appoint you, Haruno Sakura, to travel to Yuki as the bride of the Yukikage. You leave in the morning." Tsunade handed over a scroll and a small wooden box.

"That box holds a pendant worn by every former bride of the Yukikages. It is a tradition that the family wishes you to uphold. I must send word that we've found a suitable bride. You are all dismissed." Shikamaru and Kakashi bowed and left. When they were gone, Tsunade stared hard at her student.

"Are you absolutely sure this is what you want? I can't guarantee anything for you at this point except that life will have officially gotten harder for you come tomorrow morning. Do not underestimate these people, girl."

"I accept the mission, Lady Tsunade. I am not afraid to do this."

"It is not your fear that concerns me. I see a great deal of myself in you."

"Thank you, my lady." Tsunade chuckled.

"That was not a compliment!" Sakura took a deep breath and turned to go. Tsunade watched her leave, not completely sure she'd made the right decision.

Sakura sat back on her heels and wiped her brow. She had everything ready to go; all her things had been packed into storage, and just a few hours ago Tsunade had sent word that her new family would arrive at eight in the morning to collect her for the long journey north. The white cat came up beside her and purred.

"I don't wanna go so far away from this place, Saku." The cat was actually very young, almost still a kitten.

"Blanca… you say that about every mission. Don't worry so much! We'll have a great time. You'll see." The cat sniffed in the way only a cat can, and turned to inspect the little wooden box sitting on the table.

"Such a weird thing. What's inside it? Smells like brutish dog to me." Sakura clicked her tongue and swatted the mischievous ball of fluff away from the heirloom.

"I… don't know exactly what's in this thing. I haven't opened it." She reached for it, noticing that a piece of paper had been tied to the top with some twine. She pulled it out of the string and rolled it open. The script was worn and faded, but flowing and beautiful.

' May you who wear this pendant find peace and strength in it. As you embark on your journey, never forget that joy and laughter are as powerful as any jutsu, and love will break the curse.'

It was a rather cryptic little passage, but Sakura was struck by the beauty of the pendant. It looked like carved diamond; shaped to be a snowflake with a tiny paw in the center. The paw was crafted from sapphire gems, and as the young ninja took the jewelry out of the box, the pendant seemed to carry the secrets of winter within it. She was shocked to feel a faint pulse, as if… Sakura carefully placed it back in the box.

"It must be infused with some sort of chakra." She shrugged and got up, stretching as she did so. Blanca curled around her legs, making such a fuss that Sakura sighed loudly and bent down to scoop her up.

She made green tea and dumplings for her final dinner, feeling decidedly alone on this last night, trying hard not to regret her decision. However, the passage of the pendant came back to haunt her as she sipped her warm beverage.

'…and love will break the curse.' What could that mean? Sakura reached for the scroll Tsunade had given her. It touched over the basic history of the Yukigakure. It was said that most of the legends of the place centered on some weird transformation jutsu that involved the Wolf Demons. Sakura remembered being told stories by both parents of the ferocity of the Wolves. They were bloodthirsty and fierce, killing entire armies of opponents with singles swipes of their massive claws.

In the scroll, there was a mention of a powerful samurai once named Fuyu, the bringer of Winter. It was said that he was a good man, but the desire for power drove him to strike a bargain with the Wolves. He would give them anything to harness their unlimited powers. They had demanded his soul in return, and he'd freely given it. And so, Fuyu did gain the Wolves' power, but he had literally lost his humanity. The curse of the wolves was that until he could find someone to care for him as he was, he'd be forever doomed to live with his eternal curse.

Sakura closed the scroll and shook her head. The place she was going to was guarded in secrets. She couldn't find any true information on the Clan and it was becoming frustrating.

"Come on Blanca. Time for bed." Sakura slowly got ready for bed, the story circling around in her head. It was as if she could hear the howls of the demon animals. As she finally snuggled up for the night, she watched the heavy snow continue to rain down.

"Oh, Naruto," She whispered, "Give me your courage."

So, everyone tell me what you think!! Also, Thanks a million to the wonderful Juniper11 for beta-ing this!!