Summary: As everything she had ever known is turned upside down, Sakura strikes out with her newly founded team in a perilous time when friend and foe alike can become complications. AU. MultiSaku. Sakura centric. SakuraHarem. Sequel to "no good gift (goes unpunished)." Multi-chaptered.
Pairing(s): SakuraxNaruto, SakuraxSasuke, SakuraxSai, SakuraxGaara, SakuraxDeidara, SakuraxSasori, SakuraxKisame, SakuraxItachi, SakuraxHidan, SakuraxKakuzu, SakuraxTobi, SakuraxMadara, SakuraxPein, KakashixSakura, KibaxSakura, ChojixSakura, ShikamaruxSakura, HakuxSakura, ZabuzaxSakura, LeexSakura, NejixSakura, ZetsuxSakura, KimimaroxSakura, KabutoxSakura, ShinoxSakura, SuigetsuxSakura, JugoxSakura, ShisuixSakura, IzunaxSakura, KotetsuxSakura, IzumoxSakura, GenmaxSakura, KonohamaruxSakura, YamatoxSakura, BxSakura, CxSakura, DaruixSakura, MenmaxSakura, JiraiyaxTsunade, OrochimaruxTsunade, (implied) AxTsunade
Genre: Adventure/Romance/Friendship/Humor/Angst
Warnings: some cursing (they are teenagers!), general OOC-ness, dark and sometimes suggestive themes
Notes: And we're back! Something about Christmas break and all that time on my hands leaves me uninspired. Then, suddenly, when I'm back at school my muse kicks my ass back into gear. Funny how that works right? Well, I hope you guys enjoy and leave a review to let me know what you think!
Chapter Summary: In which Sakura gets a makeover; someone gets betrayed; information (faulty and otherwise) is bandied about; and mistakes are repeated.
Songs I Listened to While Writing: "King and Lionheart" by Of Monsters & Men; "Ghost" by I the Mighty, "Lilo" by Lauren Aquilina
"the gifted and i"
-10/26-
Of Killers & Keepings
Sakura raised a shaky hand and gently traced over Menma's features. He had the same whisker marks on his face and exact same bone structure and build. He wasn't Naruto though, despite the uncanny resemblance. His hair was dark and his eyes a bright red. Even without the difference in coloring, Menma looked to be a year or so older than Naruto and his mannerisms were entirely his own.
Menma looked at her quizzically, raising his own hand to cover hers as he leaned into her touch. He so rarely experienced gentle human contact. "What's wrong?" he asked in a whisper.
Sakura stared at him for a moment, looking so heartbroken that he just wanted to reach out and shelter her from the world. It wasn't his place though. Sakura finally shook her head and smiled wanly albeit shakily. "Nothing," she murmured, features going blank as she withdrew her hand. "Nothing at all."
Menma stared hard at her, trying to read her expression, but it was completely blank. She had told him about a friend called "Naruto" and he knew that something about him had triggered her. Still, he knew that she was very wary of Tenten despite her help in freeing them. Though, considering the fact that Tenten was the reason that Sakura had been imprisoned in the first place, Menma understood her hesitation to put trust in the wrong person again.
He didn't trust her either.
So, he didn't push the issue, only giving her a long look that said that they would speak later.
Sakura, for her part, focused on calming the racing of her heart. She glanced slyly at Tenten who, for her part, did not appear to be paying attention. But, she was an agent and a damn good one at that. Sakura's eyes narrowed. Tenten undoubtedly knew who her teammates were and most likely knew what they looked like too. Hell, she probably even knew what they smelled like.
After all, she had stalked Sakura across the US. There was no way that she hadn't heard Sakura exclaim Naruto's name or recognized the more than passing resemblance between him and Menma.
So why was she staying silent?
"My lord," Kabuto simpered, sweeping into a low bow. Orochimaru always had an affinity for the theatrics and Kabuto liked to keep him as pleased as possible.
Might as well stroke the boss's ego.
"Rise," Orochimaru said, barely casting a glance at the man, unaware of the way his eyes narrowed at the lack of response. "Report."
"I carried out the attack on the Excellent Academy for Gifted Students as required," he replied proudly. "It is unlikely that they will recover quickly from the damage that our team has dealt them."
"Good," Orochimaru practically purred, gold eyes mere slits of joy. "It's about time that someone knocked A off his high horse. What a pretentious prick!" Orochimaru cleared his throat, visibly calming himself. Kabuto knew that there was some history there, undoubtedly involving Tsunade but he didn't dare to point it out. "In any case, well done. Any casualties?"
Kabuto hesitated. "The Uchiha has the ability to engage Tsukuyomi now. He used it on Kimimaro, who is still out," he paused, straightening. "I can have him healed fully in the next few days."
"Truly?" Orochimaru questioned, watching him with minimal interest. "You have certainly progressed in your medical abilities. Speaking of, did you encounter the girl?"
Kabuto nodded warily, unsure of what Orochimaru was searching for. Kabuto liked to play his cards close to his chest but he knew better than to avoid a direct inquiry. "I personally engaged the girl. We were pretty evenly matched but a Kumo student came to her assistance." Kabuto frowned heavily, remembering the way the boy sought to protect her. What a fool; Sakura was more than equipped to fend for herself. "I was almost overpowered and escaped."
Orochimaru nodded; a look of interest on his face. "Do we know her current whereabouts?"
Kabuto shook his head. "No."
"Pity," he replied, gaze going distant. "Now that we have the Uchiha, we need her as well."
"My lord?" Kabuto asked, wary of his plans.
Orochimaru shook his head. "Never you mind. Go, heal Kimimaro; he may have information about her."
Kabuto hesitated for a brief moment before heading out of the room. After the door closed behind him, Kabuto sighed heavily, leaning against the nearby wall. He didn't like being outside of the know. Kabuto was, first and foremost, an informant himself. He felt most comfortable knowing all the angles. It wasn't the first time that Orochimaru had kept his plans to himself until the grand revealing. However, with tensions broiling in all of the sectors…
"Her name is Sakura," he huffed, digging the heels of his hands into his eyes as he slouched into the wall.
"Can we stop here?" Sakura asked; eager to get out of the car and stretch her legs.
They'd been driving for quite a ways and the sky was beginning to lighten into day.
Tenten looked around the puttering suburbia and, determining little to no threats present, nodded her agreement as she pulled into the rightmost lane. "Before we get out you'll need to cover your hair," she stated quietly.
"What? Why?" Sakura questioned self-consciously, running a hand through the raggedy locks.
Tenten snorted. "Have you not looked in the mirror recently?"
"If you hadn't noticed, I was imprisoned up until yesterday," she replied drily. "It wasn't exactly a carnival fun house; I think they were trying to keep makeshift weapons out of reach and the pointiness of mirror shards definitely counts."
Tenten had the grace to look slightly embarrassed but she didn't reply as she turned the driver's mirror to Sakura.
Sakura gaped. Apparently, she had been imprisoned longer than expected as her pink roots had grown out at least two or so inches. Not only that, but the quality of her brown hair dye had completely deteriorated, leaving her hair dull, dank, and limp. She looked ill and deranged, especially with her sallow skin. It wasn't her fault she hadn't seen the sun in who knew how long! She exhaled angrily, fingering the splitting ends of her hair.
"I look like fucking Neapolitan ice cream," Sakura exclaimed, pulling on a hat and then a hoodie over that.
Nobody was going to see the state of her hair.
Menma snorted at her comment but didn't deign to speak. At least he hadn't made a snide comment about it. Seriously though, the Council thought she'd appear attractive to Menma during their imprisonment? Sakura nearly laughed, knowing that there was absolutely no way in hell that Menma could be attracted to hot mess sans the hot look she was rocking. The Council was idiotic.
"Tenten, did you happen to bring the credit card that I had on me when I was taken?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah," she replied, putting the car into park in front of a nicely furbished gas station and restaurant combination. Tenten fished through one of her pockets, before throwing a piece of plastic Sakura's way. "Pretty sure it hasn't been deactivated. The machine will pick up on where it's used though," she cautioned.
Sakura hummed her agreement as she hopped out of the car before turning to Menma, who appeared weary. Tenten went inside, grumbling something about a hot meal.
"You okay?" Sakura asked tentatively.
Menma nodded stiffly, eyes darting everywhere. "Yeah," he said roughly, scrubbing his face with a hand. "Ain't never been…well, outside the facility."
"Yeah," Sakura murmured, standing awkwardly for a few moments before offering him her hand and ignoring his searching look. "You got to take the first step sometime right?"
He stared up at her for a few moments as she struggled not to fidget. Finally, he nodded his acquiescence. "Yeah," he stated as his lips quirked into a cocky smile. "First step here we come!"
Sakura watched with consternation as Menma looked around the small gas station in awe. Currently, he was entranced with the drink machines. He'd been there for five or so minutes and was starting to draw curious and, more alarmingly, appreciative stares from other customers.
"Hey!" she called, sidling up to him.
He turned, grin wide and verging on manic. Sakura fought to contain her laughter; he looked deranged, very manic pixie style.
"Hey!" he parroted. "Have you seen this?" he exclaimed, pushing his cup under one of the fountains and watching as dark liquid fizzed up in his cup. It was his sixth lever to push, all in the same cup. Sakura felt a pang of remembrance of Team Seven's first encounter with a convenience store. "Isn't it fantastic?"
Sakura nodded; lips quirking with amusement. "It is," she agreed. She glanced around, self-consciously pulling on her hood a bit. "Would you, ah, like to help me with something?"
He perked up, eager to please. "Definitely! What do I need to do?"
Sakura looped her arm around his, pulling him down an aisle. "I'm looking for an electric razor," she murmured. "I'm just not sure where they'd put it." Sakura stopped suddenly, looking embarrassed. "Can you…" she hesitated. "Can you read?"
Menma snorted. "I may have been locked up my entire life, but I do know some things. They taught me to read."
Sakura blushed, tugging at the strings of her jacket. "Yeah, well, I wasn't sure."
He smirked and sauntered off, perusing the sundry items. Sakura frowned after him before turning to Tenten, who had moved to stand beside her.
"An electric razor?" she questioned.
Sakura shrugged. "You're the one who informed me of my hair's atrocious state."
"And you're just going to…shave it all off?" Tenten asked incredulously.
Sakura smirked. "Well, yeah. Obviously, dye jobs aren't my best friend and when will I have time for general upkeep? At least this way I'll be able to keep it out of my face."
Tenten eyed her for a moment before shrugging. "It's your hair," she said in a tone that read: It's your funeral.
"Yes it is," Sakura replied a little sassily, eyes narrowing. She didn't appreciate being patronized.
"I found it!" Menma exclaimed, waving a package in the air.
"Well done!" Sakura said, grabbing it from his hand and heading to the counter. She turned to Tenten. "Grab what you needed?"
Tenten nodded, pushing her groceries onto the counter. Sakura turned to Menma who had wandered back over to the drink machine. Sakura stifled a smile as she faced the cashier.
"I'm buying his too," she stated.
"It'll be twice as much," she informed her apologetically. "He's refilled it so many times."
Sakura waved off the explanation. "That's fine. No worries."
As the cashier rung up the items, Sakura held her breath, hoping against hope that the credit card worked. Otherwise, they were screwed. She released a sigh as the transaction went through, the cashier none the wiser of Sakura's fears.
Tenten collected their purchases as Sakura wrangled Menma out of the store with many promises of making frequent stops at other convenience stores. Finally outside, Sakura eagerly took the electric razor and batteries from their groceries and motioned Menma to follow her. She ignored Tenten's look of impatience.
"What harm is a few more minutes going to do?" Sakura asked.
Tenten sighed but didn't reply as she went to wait in the car. Sakura led Menma a little ways away from the gas station and into the forest that bracketed the area. She handed him the razor, now filled with batteries, before stooping to sit on a tree stump. Menma stood still in confusion.
Sakura, not hearing the buzz of the razor, turned to look at her companion. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"I-I don't know what to do with this," he replied.
Sakura smiled gently, taking the razor from his lax hand. "I can show you with the front of my head, but I could definitely use some help in the back," she stated, turning on the razor.
Menma nodded eagerly, wanting to please.
Sakura grabbed a hank of hair, pulling it taunt and running the razor gently over her scalp, sighing in relief as the hair came away. She turned off the razor, passing it to Menma as she looked over the pink and brown lock of hair. With a snort of disgust, Sakura tossed it to the side.
"Think you got it?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah," Menma replied. "Hold still please."
Sakura slumped further as Menma turned on the razor and began to separate her hair into different sections. She smiled at the odd, slightly ticklish feeling that the razor created on her head.
"How are you feeling?" Menma asked after a few, long moments of silence.
Sakura let loose a watery laugh. "I will be feeling better once…" she paused, unsure how to continue. "I don't know actually."
Menma made a noise to show that he was listening, still working away at her hair.
"I just…feel like I'm on the edge of a precipice. Ever since getting that mission to Kumo, I've been going and going without stop and now? Everything has been pretty quiet since we've gotten out, but my suspicions and anxiety have been growing all the more." She sighed. "I guess I'm just waiting for the other foot to drop."
Menma paused, running a reassuring hand over her back and smiling to himself when she leaned heavily into his touch. "I've got your back," he stated lowly, deep loyalty filtering through his voice. Sakura was his only friend in the world. "Always."
They stayed silent for the remaining time it took to finish Sakura's hair. Menma tapped her back when he was done, allowing her to stand and shake the loose hair from her shoulders. Menma slung a companionable arm over her shoulder as they headed back to the car.
Sakura stopped, ignoring his quizzical look. "I trust you," she said quietly; fiercely. "I do. More than anyone else right now."
Menma smiled slowly, squeezing her shoulders gently. He knew it took a lot for her to say that. "Thank you. You look fantastic, by the way. Who is your hair stylist?"
Sakura laughed, punching him playfully as they both made the conscious decision to leave their heavy conversation behind with Sakura's shaven hair.
Kakashi glanced around the room, slouching further against the wall. While he trusted Tsunade and Jiraiya with his life, he wasn't too keen on their most recent plan. For one thing, the occupants of the room were more likely to kill each other than help. In fact…
"You did WHAT?" Kiba snarled; attempting to leap at Naruto though greatly hindered by Shino and Choji's restraining arms.
"It wasn't my decision dog-face!" Naruto growled in return, actively restrained by C and Sai. "If I had it my way, I would still be out there looking for her rather than being babysat by your sorry ass!"
Gaara, Neji, and Shikamaru all stood together at the opposite end of the room glowering in their general direction but not stepping in to stop the reign of idiocy. Lee, being Lee, was pontificating on the endless qualities of youth and the need to "remain youthful in the face of adversity."
Yeah…thankfully, Kakashi's "eternal rival" wasn't present.
Kakashi, for his part, slouched a little more, hoping against hope that this was all a fever dream that he would awaken from soon. His entire team would be there, happy and whole…He shook himself. There was no point in dwelling on pipe dreams. Life had taught him such.
He turned to glance at his surprisingly silent companion, B. B, still wearing his sunglasses, was hard to read but he seemed a bit thrown off by the unprofessionalism of Kakashi's comrades.
"Are they always like this?" he asked quietly, not rapping for once.
Kakashi shrugged lethargically. "For the most part," he replied honestly. "There's never a dull minute…or a quiet one."
"Konoha is strange."
Kakashi smirked emptily. "You have no idea."
"Silence!" a voice declared.
The duo returned their gaze to the middle of the room where Yamato now stood, restraining the would-be brawlers with his wood technique.
"Now is not the time for childishness!" Yamato berated, looking between Naruto and Kiba. "You should be ashamed! The Headmistress will be here in a few minutes and the two of you can't keep from getting into a fight? Are you morons?"
Both had the grace to look at least slightly embarrassed. Kakashi mentally praised Yamato for his ability to silence the two Neanderthals.
"Thank you for that, Yamato," a dry voice rang out.
Everyone turned.
Headmistress Tsunade stood in the doorway dressed, surprisingly, in her full political regalia. Regalia that was inspired by the garbs of the war-mongering lords of Japan so long ago. Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he tried to figure out why. Ah! His gaze turned to C and B, both of whom looked suitably impressed and cowed. Undoubtedly, C was regretting his snide remarks about Konoha. The Headmistress cut a very imposing and intimidating figure, swathed in her ceremonial robes as she was.
As she entered the room, Kakashi noticed Jiraiya enter silently behind her. Two of the three Sannin. From the looks on the foreigners' faces, they had heard at least some of the lore about them.
"I apologize for the unprofessionalism," Yamato stated seriously, bowing his head.
The Headmistress waved the apology away. "No matter. Besides," Here her eyes sharpened. "You weren't at fault for the incident."
Both Naruto and Kiba slouched, fearing the Headmistress's response.
She shook her head sharply. "In any case, there are much more pressing matters at hand. Delegates from Kumo, will you heed my command?"
C stepped forward, keeping his gaze low in reverence. "We know you, Headmistress Tsunade, War Veteran, Slug Sannin, Gifted Lady; we will heed you," he recited, combining Tsunade's many titles with the traditional words used when swearing fealty to another leader. The words were only used during wartime and Kakashi felt a shiver of apprehension.
Tsunade's countenance brightened. "Well, now that the formality is out of the way, let's get down to our business. I've called every one of you here today because each of you have a specific skill set I require."
Everyone perked up, listening intently.
"You are now involved in a S-ranked mission to find one Sakura Haruno. Our reports state that Akatsuki is involved. As she was kidnapped outside of the Konoha sector, she is now free game for all of the sectors and their agendas." Her eyes went slate hard. "Haruno is in a very delicate situation. Discretion and speed are the names of the game.
"Kiba, Shino, Neji, C; the four of you are in charge of tracking. Sai, Yamato, Shikamaru, Choji; each of you has a specific skill that will help in retrieving Sakura. B, Naruto, Gaara; all of you are powerhouses that will definitely help in a fight with Akatsuki. Lee, your speed is the greatest asset. Kakashi, Yamato; the two of you are co-captains. All of you will report to the Quartermaster for supplies."
"Now," Jiraiya said, stepping forward. "There have been Akatsuki sightings in all of the sectors, but Team Seven encountered a team of Akatsuki in Missouri. Go there first. If you enter into other sectors…" he paused, clearing his throat. "Be cautious and stealthy. We do not need a war on our hands because of idiotic blunders."
"Are we understood?" Tsunade asked seriously.
Everyone nodded.
Tsunade smiled. "Go to the Quartermaster; you have a flight to catch."
Sakura leaned against the bridge, eyes wide as she stared at the roiling water beneath her. They'd made a stop on a North Carolinian back road to recharge and Sakura was enjoying the rawness of nature. It was nice to just appreciate the natural world and not think for once. She stiffened suddenly.
"Hey," a voice called softly.
Sakura forced herself to relax, chafing as her instincts told her to run. She turned slightly to view her companion.
"Hey yourself," Sakura replied wryly. They stood in awkward silence for a few moments until Tenten finally fidgeted. "Yes?" Sakura asked, raising a brow.
"I-I have something of yours," Tenten stated quietly, drawing something out of her pocket.
Curiosity piqued, Sakura turned to her fully. Her casual interest was dashed when she caught sight of what Tenten was holding in her hand.
"Where did you get that?" Sakura demanded in a low voice, bristling.
Tenten raised a hand in surrender, using the other to cradle the necklace she held. "It was taken from your person when I took you into custody. Of all the articles you had on your person, this one seemed the most personal." She held it out to Sakura hesitantly. "I'm sorry for everything."
"Thanks," Sakura said quietly, taking the necklace.
"There's also this," Tenten began, reaching into her back pocket. She pulled out a bundle of papers. "The Council keeps a record of every student's family and medical history. I managed to pull the file on you."
"What?" Sakura questioned, reaching out with a quivering hand to grasp the file.
She had tried for years to get into contact with her birth family. None of her letters ever went through though. Sakura was always told that it was unsafe to talk to her parents and that, as unGifted individuals, they wouldn't understand her. Still, Sakura never forgot being told, prior to entering the Academy, that she would be free to converse with her parents. She resented the recension of the offer.
Tenten smiled shakily. "I hope you can understand how truly sorry I am. The Council and, by extension, the Academy has done wrong to so many of its students. I hope this begins to mend those mistakes."
Sakura exhaled loudly, shifting the papers into the same hand as the necklace. "I'm sorry too."
Sakura struck out lightning fast with two of her fingers, knocking Tenten against the railing of the bridge.
"W-What?" she asked, unable to move.
Sakura merely shook her head, fastening the necklace at the back of her neck. She smirked hollowly. "What? Did you really expect me to change all my ideals just because you made a stupid decision and let me go free? Please." Tenten flinched as her words were callously thrown back into her face. Sakura frowned unhappily, upset with what was about to come. "I learn from my mistakes."
Tenten's world went black.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" Menma asked worriedly, glancing into the rearview mirror.
Sakura's grip on the steering wheel tightened momentarily before relaxing. "She'll be fine," she dismissed. "I left her out of sight. She'll come to in an hour or so. She has a credit card and a cellphone. When she gets to a place with signal, she can contact someone to help her out. By that time, we'll be somewhere safe."
"Alright," Menma replied, reluctance deep in his voice.
Sakura sighed, raking a hand over her buzzed scalp. It was still a strange feeling. "Look, I don't trust Tenten at all. It was all very convenient that she had a sudden change of heart. Too convenient." She turned to look directly at Menma. "You look almost exactly like my teammate Naruto."
"That's the name you called me by when my mask came off," he murmured, realization dawning.
Sakura nodded genially. "Exactly. Do you really think that Tenten, best agent of the Council, wouldn't know about her target's background? I'm sure she had my teammates' features, voices, and hell, smells memorized long before she actually began her pursuit. The fact that she didn't say anything about it after seeing you was very suspicious. I…" Her voice broke. "I can't trust her." Her eyes went hard. "I won't trust her; not again. That's why I left her behind."
Menma seemed to recognize her increasing distress as he instantly began to soothe her, "Hey, hey, it's alright. I…I didn't realize all the thought you'd put into it. I'd picked up on your feelings of unease and discontent but…" He laughed bitterly. "Well, I'm a bit out of the habit of talking to people."
"Don't worry about it," Sakura replied. "I'm sure that, what with being out of commission for who knows how long, I'm in a similar boat." She reached over, twining their fingers together. "We can figure it out together."
Menma stared at their hands bound together on the seat rest between them, just as they used to do in the facility. His lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. "Yeah, I guess we will," he replied softly.
-10/26-
Complete
-10/26-
So, I recently got an undercut, which kind of inspired the scene with Sakura's hair, though it has been planned ever since I decided that she would be imprisoned. So, maybe she inspired me to get the undercut? Who knows? Also, yes, this means that her head is completely shaved.
So, a lot of plans are being set in motion now. We probably won't see a lot of Menma or Sakura in the next chapter or so as the rest of the storylines catch up with them. Akatsuki is on the rise and some new friends (or foes) are about to appear!
I hope you all enjoy!
-jay