You guys rock. Thank you reviewers! Here's the next juicy chapter and then i'm going to bed.
She was so bored.
There was nothing else to it. With the slow pace they were walking because the civilians couldn't travel by chakra they had to take the slow pace. The snail pace. And it was driving her nuts!
Three days ago Itachi had received a summons from General Minato that their regiment was needed. So taking half a day to pack up camp the entire rookie regiment made towards the east as per their orders. Three days they had traveled and they still had two more to go before they reached their destination. The only perk for Sakura was that she got to lounge on her noble steed Yoru while he pulled a large cart that held supplies. She probably shouldn't ride him while he was pulling but like she stated earlier, she was bored. And she loved her horse.
"Yo Seito!"
Sakura turned her bonde head and nodded at Naruto.
"Why are you riding that horse?" Naruto asked.
"Because he's mine and I want to ride him," Sakura replied her bored tone speaking for her.
"Why'd you bring a horse?"
"Why do you want to know?"
He huffed and rolled his eyes, "Why are you always so combative? I know we didn't start out on the best of terms but…I don't know. Can we start over?"
Oh the genuine look of hurt in his eyes was so not going to get to her. Not uh…
You're falling for it…
No I'm not.
Don't bullshit me and now there's a giant pouty lip.
Sakura groaned then leapt off Yoru landing easily by Naruto. "I'm sorry. It's not easy for me to converse with others."
Naruto's eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas, "Apology accepted!" He clapped Seito on the back. "Now we can start being friends!"
Sakura rolled her eyes.
First Itachi and now Naruto.
Watch it, this feeling of friendship might be passed around to the other assholes here.
"Being silent isn't very friendly."
"Well Naruto I already told you that I don't sit and converse with people or make friends so what the hell do you expect me to do?"
He scratched his head sheepishly, "Oh right sorry. I forget that you didn't go to school with us. Who taught you?"
"My dad."
"Your dad's a shinobi?"
Sakura rolled her eyes again, "Former ANBU Captain of Squad Five."
His blue eyes widened in disbelief, "Your dad was in ANBU?!"
She took a step away from his louder than normal question. The space was very welcome, "Why is that so surprising?"
"Well…I guess uh…well you know."
"No I don't."
"It's just that…your family is civilian…"
She jumped in front of him with a menacing glare. He halted in his steps.
"What did you say?" She spat at him, "Just because the majority of my family is civilian you automatically assume that none of them could ever be good enough to be a shinobi, let alone ANBU! Is that what you were thinking?"
"I…actually I um…"
"Don't even try lying to me! I've had enough bullshit in my life I don't need people pretending to be my friends when they really think that just because I come from an inferior background that I won't amount to anything." With a final look of disgust thrown his way Sakura turned and walked away from him.
"Wait! Seito! That's not what I meant!"
She didn't turn around as she walked quickly through the ranks making her way towards the front.
"Seito! Come on man that's not what I meant. I just say things that I don't mean all the time. It never comes out right!"
She still didn't turn around; to furious to even think about entertaining another minute of his idiocy. Fuck him and his seemingly genuine feelings. He's just another one of those stuck up bitch male shinobi who looked down on anyone with an inferior lineage.
Kami-sama…I HATE ALL MEN!
You got that right…well except for maybe one.
I'm soooooo not thinking about any of that right now. Stupid fucking bastard!
In one moment of tunnel vision Sakura didn't have enough awareness of her surroundings. When a large hand gripped her elbow she freaked and instantly counter attacked. Naruto shouted in pain when she bent his wrist, twisted his arm behind his back, and planted him face first on the ground her knee in the small of his back pinning him firmly to the ground.
"Don't you ever fucking touch me again without my permission. Do you understand me?" Sakura hissed twisting his arm farther behind his back making him shout again.
"Sorry," he gasped fighting for breath, "I just…you weren't talking to me when I was trying to apologize."
"That's because I don't want to hear any more of your bullshit apologies! You and every other hard headed shinobi, you're all the same! Looking down on everyone as if they are inferior to you. I saw it on the first day in this goddamn camp." She yanked him up on his feet causing him to yelp again. Suffice it to say the entire troop had stopped because of this confrontation. "Look around you! Look at their faces! These civilians you deem beneath you are here for the same goddamn reason you are. They answered the call of our Hokage to come and fight for this country. That makes them equal to you, not your servants or slaves, equals! Sure they didn't grow up with the expectation of combat in their future but that's the reality of the piss poor world we live in. They are going to face the same ugliness and horrors that we are going to see. So it's about fucking time they get shown the respect that they fucking deserve. Just because they are civilians doesn't mean they don't have talents or skills."
Sakura loosened her grip and shoved Naruto towards a group of clan boys.
"Being a shinobi doesn't make you better or worse than anyone else!" She now addressed the group Naruto fell into. Sasuke was steadying him while Naruto rubbed his injured shoulder, "All being a shinobi means is just that, you were born with the ability to control your chakra for battle and training. It doesn't make anyone more powerful than the other. They have skills that you will never develop in your life, especially if you all keep living with your heads up your asses. They are people! And so are women…they're just people who have been dealt a shit hand in life from the moment they were conceived in the womb. Discriminated because of their sex. Seen as weaker beings because they are designed to bear children. Not only do you shinobi look down on civilians, but everyone single one of you," now she pointed to everyone, "Have a ridiculous hatred towards women. I'm fucking ashamed to even be associated with the male sex. You guys make me sick."
Not even bothering to look at anyone anymore, Sakura stepped down from her soap box and walked away, hands in her pants pocket.
Itachi and Kakashi stood at the back of the group, observing but not speaking. It was obvious from the beginning that Naruto had riled up the small Haruno and obviously said small man thought it fit to teach him another lesson. Kakashi was prepared to put an end to the long-winded tirade but Itachi stopped him. Apparently Naruto had insulted the fact that Seito was from a civilian family. Itachi had noticed the discrimination from the very beginning. It was one of the reasons why he announced that all shinobi were to make themselves available should a civilian ask for help. This group, this regiment wouldn't be effective if the two different groups could not get along. He had also noticed that Seito was the only shinobi the civilians felt comfortable asking for help. For the entire month they actually had for training Seito was the only one that trained constantly. First it was with the class Kakashi had assigned him. Then it was his own with Rock Lee and then last helping those that asked for help. And now he was giving all the shinobi the lesson that Itachi had no idea how to teach and he was doing it brilliantly.
Naruto probably didn't volunteer to be his punching bag but with him being on the front line was a good thing. Naruto was the General's son and the General was next in line for the Hokage's seat. He was also one of the most likable shinobi in the entire village. Everybody knew who he was, what he stood for, and his obvious goal to make everybody a friend. So Seito calling him out on the clan boy's general dislike for civilians in this regiment was sending a rather large message. One he knew he wouldn't be able to send.
And then that comment about women came up. Kind of…odd to add that in there. It had a slight personal tone to it. But considering his semi-recent conversation with Seito on the topic obviously the younger boy knew about the list of standards so he could be drawing his conclusion from that.
But then again…no brother was listed on Sakura's matchmaking profile.
He quickly blocked that thought. It had to be a mistake on Tsunade's part. That's all there was to it. She probably had heard that the Hokage called a meeting and the circumstances of the village's sudden lack of men. So she had to deliver it quickly. There couldn't be another explanation. She was a perfectionist, being a medic made her that way.
If she's a perfectionist then why didn't she add the brother's name?
He was getting distracted. He needed to focus but by that time Seito had walked away leaving behind him a heavy weight throughout the troops. He rubbed his forehead lightly. This young man was truly something else.
"Order the men to keep moving Kakashi-senpai, we need to be in the village in two days."
Camp was a very quiet affair that night. They had found a small patch of forest near the base of a mountain to take cover for the night. Yoru was lying behind her being a great pillow. Once he was released from his cart he instantly trotted over to her and took a nap. He only woke up when Sakura fed him from her storage scroll of hay and water then promptly fell back asleep. Lazy horse.
But he wasn't the only animal begging for attention. Kigechu only made himself visible during the night. He would disconnect with Sakura's body to hunt and stretch before coming back and assuming his lifeless role as a small tattoo on her thigh. He was getting irritated but there wasn't anything Sakura could do about it. It's not like she wanted him to be confined to her body all day with nothing to do.
"Hey uh…Seito-san?"
Sakura opened her eyes to see Isamu staring at her. Hesitant to approach her, which was odd.
"What's up Isamu-san?"
"Do you mind?" he indicated to the ground next to her.
"Be my guest," Sakura motioned for him to sit near her. She really couldn't catch a break, all she wanted was peace.
"I uh…" he cleared his throat, "I just wanted to say thank you…for today."
Her eyes widened, "Why?"
He smiled shyly, "For standing up for us today. For helping us feel a little better about ourselves and our reason for being here. It's been tough you know, trying to feel…important in this camp. On behalf of all us civilians I just wanted to say thank you."
Her eyes softened from their guarded expression and she smiled back, "You're welcome."
He nodded, "I also wanted to ask you something if that's ok?"
"Shoot."
"The comment you made about women. It didn't really sit well with me."
"It's not supposed to."
"I know that but," he scratched his arm and looked at the ground, "I don't view them that way. I have two sisters and I wouldn't want them to be…well not themselves."
"And your brother…he feel the same?"
He nodded, "Pretty much yeah."
Sakura nodded turning her gaze up to see the stars through the cluster of trees. "And how many others do you think actually dislike the stigma given to them."
"I'd say more than you think Seito-san."
Sakura and Isamu both turned to look at the speaker. Isamu jumped quickly to his feet and bowed politely, "Uchiha-taichou."
Sakura nodded in recognition, "Taichou."
"At ease Takahashi-san. No need for formalities at this time," Itachi waved him off and took his own seat on the grass. "But would you mind if I had a word with Seito-san?"
"Not at all. Have a goodnight Seito-san, Itachi-taichou," Isamu bowed and left.
"Night Isamu-san," Sakura said.
Itachi waited until the other man was far enough away before he began speaking. "Another stirring performance today."
Sakura snorted, "Pompous ass."
"Actually I think you picked the least pompous ass out of the entire group," Itachi smirked at him.
"Could've fooled me Itachi," Sakura sat up straighter to stretch, "Apparently because I come from a civilian background my father shouldn't be good enough for ANBU. Kind of a backhanded way of saying I also shouldn't be as good as I am."
"You're reading too much into that."
She furrowed her eyebrows at him, "Oh really?"
"Hai. Naruto is the type of person to speak before he thinks. It has gotten him in a lot of trouble especially as a younger boy. He's much like his mother in that respect. We keep hoping he'll grow out of it."
"Hmmm. So you know him outside of shinobi business?"
He nodded, "Hai. His mother and my mother were good friends growing up and still are. Our families are close."
"Then I'm surprised he hasn't picked up on your impeccable manners yet."
Itachi chuckled lightly under his breath, "Either way it doesn't matter. You've taught the clan boys a good lesson today, one that I wasn't sure how to teach myself." Itachi stretched his legs out putting his arms behind his head.
Droooooooooooool…
Sakura quickly averted her gaze to the trees. "I didn't do anything other than yell at them."
"But you made a point, a point that even in the village people still don't recognize."
That was true. Ino always thought herself superior to Sakura merely because she was from a clan while Sakura was civilian.
"I don't get it. I don't understand it. People are people, end of story. Sure some people make ridiculous decisions and what not but we're human and not perfect. I've never understood class discrimination."
"You have been acquainted with both sides of the coin, have you not?"
"You mean having everything and having nothing?"
Itachi nodded.
"Hai. I've been discriminated in my life for nothing more than class." She cleared her throat giving her time to concoct another story. "People thought that since I assumed the role of guardian I'm nothing more than middle lower class boy. I get treated as such even though I'm technically a nobleman's son. Sakura gets treated like scum by many of the girls her age, mostly for her abrupt character but also because of class."
Itachi focused his gaze on Seito, "Does she have any friends?"
Seito nodded, "One, well three if you count her mentor Tsunade and the other apprentice Shizune. Her only other friend is Hyuuga Hinata. They meet up for tea once a week and send regular correspondence throughout the week. They are quite close."
Itachi nodded thinking back to her conversing with the Hyuuga heiress. If he were to accept Sakura's profile and negotiate for her hand it would be an advantageous match that would bring both doujutsu clans closer together. Sakura had a bold enough personality to not let her last name affect who was her friend.
"So did you come out here for a reason Itachi or were you just bored?" Sakura asked glancing back at him. He was still stretched out all beautifully so she turned her head again.
"Must I have a reason to converse with a friend?"
"Not really but you are you. I get the feeling that you don't do anything without a reason."
Itachi smirked, "In most cases you would be right."
"Is this most cases?"
Sitting up from his rather comfortable position he stared right at the boy, "Would it change anything if it was?"
She shrugged and met his gaze, "Perhaps."
"Well for one I wanted to thank you like I did earlier for the unfortunate lesson you put Naruto and the others through."
Sakura nodded and waited for more. There was obviously more from his wordage. "Aaaaaaaand?"
He only raised an eyebrow in question.
"You said 'for one' meaning there was another reason you came out here."
He had no idea if he should tell him. On one hand it might ruin the budding friendship he was trying to instill with the young man. But on the other hand it could work out gloriously in his favor if Seito were to help persuade his father to agree to their negotiations.
"If I tell you, you might not like what I have to say."
Sakura groaned then rubbed her face, "Kami-sama…just spit it the fuck out. I'm starting to get tired and I don't want to stay up much longer. And if you don't tell me then I'm going to fret about it until you finally do tell me."
"In that case I've been given Sakura's profile from the matchmaker."
That sufficiently woke her up. Of course she knew Tsunade was going to recommend her to Itachi and the Uchiha clan but this was still very surprising. It wasn't something in the abstract anymore Tsunade actually sent out her profile to one of the largest and most influential clans in Konoha. Her father could be in negotiations right now and she wasn't even present! What if the Uchiha clan figured out she wasn't currently in the city and then they try to investigate why Sakura wasn't sitting in on meetings with them! Holy shit! She needed to write to Tsunade so she can act as a leeway between the two clan heads. She was here to keep her father safe but what if his name was slandered because his rebellious daughter wasn't there to present herself for the negotiations! Not only that but if the Uchiha clan now had her information and it was accepted then that meant she could be married once this whole bloody war was over!
"Seito…Seito!"
Sakura was startled out of her thoughts only to come face to face with Itachi. He was definitely in her personal space one hand gripping his shoulder which he had been shaking. There was a curious if not slightly alarmed look in his onyx eyes that made her guard skyrocket. He was concerned? About her?
No he's concerned about the brother you're pretending to be. Although he does smell delicious. Never thought a sweaty man could actually smell good. Because you know…considering our own adopted scent is sooooooooo…...pungent…
"S-sorry what?"
"Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah…I'll be fine."
His eyes stayed narrowed but he removed his hand. "I'm sorry if my news startled you. But you asked."
She cleared her throat, "Yes I did. I uh…I apologize I must be more tired than I originally thought. If you don't mind I'm gonna turn in for the night."
Something had obviously startled the poor boy. And if his abnormally pale face was any indicator he was shaken to his core. Maybe he doesn't want me to negotiate for his sister? Or he is just stunned that something of that…nature is actually coming to pass. He is very close to her. Whichever reason it was he took this awkward silence as his cue to leave. He did need to run the perimeter before bedding down for the night.
"I apologize for upsetting you. Goodnight."
After the four day journey they came upon the small town of Beppu. It was only ten miles south of the border of Fire and not their final destination. They had to keep traveling until they reached Kento where the main army was. But for now Itachi thought it would do the economy of the village some good if some of the men wanted to spend it on food and lodging. Having a bed to sleep in before a big fight would be a definite plus. And judging by everyone's general demeanor they were excited not to have to camp again tonight. Luckily they made good time and it was early evening, so everyone had time to sort out lodgings and food and finally relax. Maybe this town had a bath house or hot springs they could use.
It was a small quaint town. Not so much off the beaten path that it looked unkempt but having such a large group of people arrive was definitely a sight to see. And when there's a large group of men all the village women would congregate to ogle at the fresh faces. Hopefully none of his soldiers would get into too much trouble while in town. They were young men and mostly unspoken for as far as Itachi knew. And those issues that usually come along with horny young men should be kept to a minimum.
The main road was actually paved in brick which was a nice reprieve from grass and dirt. In the center of the village was a large stone fountain probably a landmark for the founding of the town. He walked around it continuing into the center of the village. A little old man with his hands tucked into his sleeves approached them.
"Welcome to Beppu. I am Mayor Watashi. What is it we can do for such a large company of," he glanced behind Itachi, "Soldiers?"
"Hai. We're making our way to Kento up by the border. We require food and lodging for the evening. Whatever you have available will suffice. And a bath house if that's possible," Itachi bowed to the man politely.
"We can accommodate you. I think the other half of your army passed through here weeks ago. If you would follow me I will show you to the hotel and bath house," the old man bowed.
o0o
A bed. Sakura never thought she'd be so happy to see a bed. And then she laid on it and didn't even notice the hardness of the mattress. It was a bed and that's all that matters. This town had two hotels and their regiment had taken up every room and fold away bed both hotels had. Two men per bed until all the rooms were filled. While the prospect of sharing a room with other men had her shaking she was rather delighted and shocked that Itachi put her down as his roommate. Of course since he was the commander he had a nicer suite which oddly enough had two bedrooms. Kakashi took the other room since he was also a commander and Sakura didn't know who his roommate was. If there was anyone who got out of sharing a room it was probably that man. Over the month that she had known and worked with him in training, he was one sneaky bastard.
But Itachi…wanting to room with her? He must have known that she would either not sign up or sleep outside because it definitely wasn't her handwriting on the signup sheet. She liked her privacy and he knew that. What he didn't know was that she was actually a woman. And this situation the more she thought about it was going from awkward to bad and then to frightening. By herself she knew she could keep her secret hidden but with a roommate? She was going to have to be extra careful. Maybe she shouldn't sleep in here at all. But that bed...
Stop that train of thought and focus on the objective.
Inner was right. She can worry about the bed later. Right now she needed a bath and the men's side of the bath house was filled to capacity with a large line of them waiting in the changing rooms. She stank and she didn't feel like bathing in the river considering it fed directly into their water supply…hence the bath house. The water from the river diverted two ways: the first being to serve as the water source for the local wells and the second being to service the bath house. So now she had to be sneaky and enter into the women's side without being seen or heard. Unfortunately it would be the fastest bath of her life but it was necessary. She needed the women's side to be empty since all the new people in town were male it would be suspicious if a female showed up.
Argh this is so infuriating! Ok breathe, focus. And let's figure it out.
And by figuring it out mostly meant wait for the women currently bathing to leave then jump in through this ridiculously small window, dunk self in water, scrub quickly, dunk again, and then hightail it out of there! There was no other plan. Just a long game of waiting.
Not to mention that every single young woman in the village is also at the bath house hoping to catch one of the men's eye. And they are taking their very sweet time!
Breathe. Just be patient.
She waited most of the evening. The sun had set and the sky was beginning to darken. Luckily for her the place was beginning to shut down and all the women were gone. Perfect time for her to sneak in and bathe. Opening the window as far as it could go Sakura slipped in soundlessly. Her hands quickly divested her of all her clothing and she threw them into the water to soak. This batch would have to forgo scrubbing for soaking in soapy water. She dunked her head submerging herself for a few seconds before letting up. Then she paused and listened for any sound coming in the hallway. Nothing. She had more time.
She reach for a wash cloth sitting on the side and scrubbed herself as good as she could. With a final dunk Sakura deemed herself clean enough as she leapt out of the water. She grabbed a large fluffy towel and dried off then wrapped herself. Sifting through her bag she quickly dressed, put on her armor, and was out the door. Probably no longer than seven minutes. She jumped onto the nearest tree branch and heard the window close then took a large breath.
My clothes!
Stowing her pack on the tree branch she jumped back near the window opened it. Her dirty clothes were still soaking in the soapy pool. Taking a moment to gauge her surroundings she could hear feet walking in the hall. Most likely the cleaning crew. She had to be fast. Flitting in and out she barely noticed the dampness of her clothing as she once again closed the window just in time. The door opened and two women entered and began cleaning the area and draining the used water. Sakura breathed out a sigh of relief, sometimes she couldn't believe her luck.
"I never figured you for a peeping tom Haruno-san."
With a small yelp Sakura canceled her chakra output to her feet falling quickly to the ground. But thanks to all her years of training she landed on her feet while her wet clothes were now covered in dirt. "Great you just had to sneak up on me didn't you?!"
Itachi smirked down at her, "I was only wandering when I saw you stuck to the wall of the women's side of the bath house. So, now I need to hear your reason so I can ward off any rumors that may start circulating or accusations for that manner."
She groaned, "I wasn't peeping. There wasn't a single woman in that bath, I just wanted some privacy to bathe and wash my clothes."
"And if a woman should happen to enter?"
"They were closing so I just went in for a dip, dunked my clothes and left. I don't see the big deal."
Itachi contained a snort of amusement, but his eyes were sparkling, "Please refrain from such inappropriate behavior again and I will let this slide."
She gave him a mock salute, "Hai Uchiha-taichou."
After collecting her pack from the tree she jumped back to the ground and walked with Itachi. Dusk was waning and a few men were out lighting the lanterns that dotted the streets. Many people were still bustling around probably from the slight high from having so many visitors. Sakura glanced around the town square seeing most of the restaurants full with all the soldiers eating a hearty meal. It was a good sight considering for some it may be the last decent meal that they will eat.
Now that was depressing.
It was. Suddenly she had the urge to go and stuff her face full of food just on principal. The last really decent meal she had was the night before she left home. Her thoughts turned to that raining evening, after the meeting where her father slapped her. Her hand instinctively went to her cheek the residual sting making itself apparent. She had never seen such disappointment and anger in her father's eyes than she did that night. Afterward she couldn't even join them for dinner, and then she decided on her plan that lead her exactly to this moment. It was now a little over a month since she had seen her parents…and she missed them dearly.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Sakura stiffened she had momentarily forgotten that Itachi was walking next to her. And this seemed to be happening more often than she would like…oddly enough most of these moments happened around him. "Uh nothing just thinking about the future."
"Does your cheek hurt?"
"No…it's a…a uh…nervous habit. I thought I had gotten rid of it but apparently not."
Itachi nodded but he wasn't sure if he agreed on the inside. He knew people did different things when nervous but the way he rubbed his cheek seemed more melancholy than nerves. "It will be your first time in war. Nerves are expected."
"Yes and I should probably get in a good meal beforehand," she straightened herself and started scanning for food.
"Why?"
She stopped and looked at him, "Well we're heading into the battlefront. I might not make it out alive and my last really decent meal was the night before I left so…"
"I thought you were traveling the night before?"
RED ALERT! COVER YOUR ASS!
She nervously scratched her head. It was a little annoying how she was slipping up recently and the fact that she was becoming a professional liar. "I was but then when I got home I immediately packed to leave so…yeah."
"Ah."
Oh she was so digging herself in a deeper hole. She either needed to get away from him or find a different topic of conversation. Deciding on the latter she turned away looking for a new topic of conversation with a laugh rang in her ears.
She knew that laugh. Deep, throaty, with a little rasp that sent chills down her spine. And not in a good way.
"Haruno? Seito? Seito!"
She turned around not hearing Itachi's voice. Her mind seemed to be traveling in a tunnel taking her back in time. Back to ten years ago when that same voice laughed as his boss cut pretty pictures into her back. She had thought they died…or were at least in prison for life. Her father had assured her that they would never hurt her again. He even told her that the man who had hurt her was dead and Sakura knew he was the one to do it.
But this laugh. This man. She spotted him immediately. Same rust colored hair, small scar on his chin. He had the same hazel eyes that had once laugh at her. They were currently crinkled in amusement as he laughed at whatever the woman next to him was saying. His clothing typical of the type worn in this village. This man who had laughed at her, who had caused her pain, this was the very same man who had pulled her clothing off of her so that his boss could defile her body.
Her breathing became erratic as her dark green eyes narrowed murderously. He should be in prison. Fingers clenched so hard that she knew she would draw blood if held any longer. White hot fury was pouring from her body and she noticed the man stiffen. He could feel her dark intent as he scanned the area looking for the culprit.
"Haruno! Stand down! Control yourself!" Itachi ordered but it fell on deaf ears. Nothing existed except for Sakura and her target.
Hazel eyes finally found her green ones and his eyes widened in what seemed to be recognition. She knew she didn't look like a girl so she could only assume he was seeing a miniature of her father. When she took a step forward he immediately tensed and pushed the confused woman away from him. The small lady didn't want to move but in the next second she didn't have a choice and Sakura all but barreled into the man launching the both of them into the large town square.
"JI-KUN!" the woman screamed standing near the entrance to the restaurant that they walked out of.
"You," Sakura growled as she punched the man in the face, "You should be rotting in prison! You should be dead!"
"I can explain!" He started but was cut off by another one of Sakura's punches.
"I don't want to hear anything you have to say! It's all going to be lies!" She screamed as she picked him up and threw him over her shoulder. He flew into the large stone fountain with a large crack. She was on him in an instant hauling him up from the ground when another presence made itself known. But not wanting to be interrupted she surrounded her body with a quick burst of air tossing the invader back a few feet.
"You were there! You were there that night! You were one of the men defiling her!" Sakura screamed kicking the man sharply in the gut. "How does it feel you pathetic piece of vermin! How does it feel to be the weaker being! Do you like it?!"
"P-please," he coughed and spit blood onto the bricks, "I can-"
"Do not speak!" She ordered as her hand began crackling with electricity, "You didn't let her speak! You didn't let her beg for mercy! You just sat there and watched!" Her hand came down onto his stomach making the man scream in agony. Keep in character. "MY SISTER!"
"NOOOOOO!" The woman screamed as she walked as quickly as she could towards the pair, "Please leave him alone!"
Sakura removed her hand not hearing the woman's pleas. "Do you like it? Do you like being at the mercy of a more powerful person?! Or does it make you feel like shit?!" She kicked him again and he rolled a few feet back towards the fountain. He tried to stand up but Sakura knocked him down again. "Oh, no you don't. She didn't get to stand up. She didn't get a chance to defend herself so you certainly won't be able to get that chance!"
With a flick of her wrists Sakura bound his hands and feet and started stretching him. He grunted as his muscles were pulled to the absolute maximum and held there.
"Vulnerable," Sakura hissed as she stood directly in front of his face, "That's exactly how she felt. So very vulnerable to a higher power. At this point she wished for death. Now let's continue shall we?"
"I-I can't…"
"Well that's just too damn bad isn't it because there is so much more I'm going to do to you before I END YOUR MISERABLE EXISTENCE!" Sakura clasped the streams of water together in her hands then spun him around like a lasso. He hit the ground four times before his hands and feet were freed. But the next second his hands were crushed.
His yelp of pain made the woman take quick steps forward to rescue him, "Please! I beg of you let him go!"
Sensing her presence Sakura didn't even care that she just blew the pleading woman back a few feet. She had a task to finish, one task that had been in place if she ever met someone associated with the blue lipped rapists. She would give them exactly what she was given, and then she would kill them so they couldn't exact their vengeance on her again. Sakura never expected to run into one of the men that was present for her defilement but a large part of her was happy that she could exact her vengeance on one of them.
"First you ripped her hands to shreds and broke her feet so she couldn't run away. They bled all over the floor and she screamed in pain and agony as she was dragged through the house. Then she was thrown into a pile of blood for the next stage of her defilement. You were there you red haired bastard, drunk off your ass but you were there. You were the one that took off her clothes!" Sakura took a kunai out of her leg holster and ripped his off and then his pants. She honestly didn't want to see his nasty ass so she felt she was being gracious in leaving his underwear on. You know for her own gag reflex.
"I'm sorry," he choked out trying to look up at the boy, "I didn't want to be there."
"Could've fooled me," she cut the first line into his back quickly making him jerk, "Seemed like you were having a joyous time together with your boss and his friend. You watched as he straddled her, caressed her as if she was nothing more than a common whore! You watched as she cried and bled all over the floor!" She slashed him three more times. "And you watched as your sick assed boss decided to draw 'pretty pictures' all over her 'lovely skin that will scar quite nicely'! And you want to know what you did next?!"
He cringed, he knew exactly what he did.
"YOU LAUGHED!"
With five more slashes his back was sufficiently covered in blood. Flecks of crimson splashed on Sakura's face but she didn't notice and she didn't care. This was her time to show her own power.
"You laughed," she growled at him and she slowly slid the kunai up from his lower back making him groan in pain, "You sat there and laughed! Laughed at how a thirty year old pedophile defiled her! She was six years old you pathetic son of a bitch! SIX! She screamed for help and you sat there! You are as guilty as that bastards you were with!" He was officially covered in blood and if he didn't receive some type of treatment in the next few minutes he would bleed out. "You are guilty!"
With her left hand Sakura raised his head exposing his throat. With her right hand she palmed her bloody kunai and held it steadily at his throat. "I hope you rot in hell."
"STOP!"
The intensity of the woman's cry halted Sakura's hand. The sheer thought of anyone standing up for this person was beyond her comprehension. But there was something about the plea that made Sakura look up from her kill to the woman on the ground just a couple feet away.
"Please, I beg of you, don't kill him." The woman had her hand extended, her eyes red with tears streaming steadily down her face.
"Do you know who he is?" She asked in a hard voice, "Do you know what he's done?!"
The woman nodded, "Yes, he told me. I know everything about his past."
"Then you know he has to die for what he's done!"
"NO! Please you can't kill him. He's my husband!"
That shocked the ever living hell out of Sakura. He was married. Another cursory glance at the woman and she could tell the lady was at least six months along in her pregnancy.
"You fathered a child you sick bastard!" Sakura pulled his head up higher making a slight nick in his neck.
"I did," he answered solemnly staring at his wife, "I'm a different person now."
"Bullshit!"
"It's true!" The woman reached again hoping to stay her hand from slitting her husband's throat, "He's different from before. In prison he turned against the organization leading to its downfall. As payment for his information they let him leave. Banished him to this village and he's not allowed to leave here. I love him! Please don't kill my husband, I need him."
Now Sakura was torn in two. On one hand she wanted to kill him. She wanted him dead as payment for what had happened to her ten years ago. She wanted him dead so bad that until now she didn't respond to anybody trying to get her to stop. And now there was another hand; the hand that said to spare this man's life. This new information about his wife, soon to be child, and the fact that he sold out the organization were all valid reasons to let him live. Especially since she was the one to instigate the fight.
Looking back at the woman she looked into her eyes. Her mother had always told her that the eyes were the windows to the soul. If one could read the eyes then they could read the person. So Sakura decided to put it to the test. She had beautiful brown eyes along with dark brown hair, it was in a curly mess pinned a top her head. But in those brown depths she could see one thing; this woman loved this shell of a man. She really truly loved him. And if Sakura were to take him away from her this woman would be well and truly broken. She married this bastard out of love and she was giving him a child.
Fixing her scrutinizing gaze back on him…she could see the same thing. This bastard loved her too. Their eyes never leaving each other's. He wanted his wife to be the last he ever saw. It made her sick that someone like him was making her question herself. He was evil, what happened to her was evil. Someone needed to be punished. Someone needed to die.
And someone already did. The real man responsible for it…my father killed him.
Maybe what his wife said was true? Maybe he was a changed man and didn't want to be a part of the organization in the first place? Either way…in the end…his life wasn't hers to take. Her vengeance was already complete ten years ago. He was abiding by his banishment by living in this village. And he was in love and what seemed to be a strong love too. It would be heartless of her to break both of their hearts. And if she was the woman on the ground six months pregnant, she wouldn't want her husband killed either. She had to let this go. Her anger over this subject had consumed her for years. It drove her to be the shinobi that she was; strong, formidable, and undefeatable.
"Listen to me and listen well," she whispered to both of them, "I've decided to grant you your life."
They both sagged in relief.
"If you," she yanked on the man's head making sure she had his attention, "step one toe out of line. If you harm another woman, including your wife, I will come back and finish what I've start tonight. Do you understand me?"
"Hai," he whispered taking his eyes off his wife to look at his captor.
"You will be a model citizen in this village. You will defend it to the best of your ability. You will teach your children to respect women. Do you understand?"
"Hai."
With the tip of her bloody kunai she drew an 'S' on the side of his neck, "A reminder of the vow you just made. Break it and I will find you."
He grimaced at the new addition to marked body but nodded.
Without any warning Sakura dropped his head onto the pavement. He groaned while he wife scooted over to him whispering and kissing his head.
Finally aware of the rather large audience her spectacle had drawn Sakura stood tall and scanned the audience. Soldier and villagers were all gathered round and all with various looks of horror, disgust, and stoicism. She knew some of that was directed at her but most of it was probably due to her little tirade. She basically just aired her biggest secret to a town full of people and her comrades. Just great.
"Haruno-san," Itachi's stern voice brought her attention to him, "Come here."
Sakura fought the urge to shake, not out of fear but adrenaline. She needed to get rid of this pent up anger in her. As she came to a stop in front of her commander she stood tall with her hands behind her back, staring him dead in the eye.
"I will accept any punishment that you deem fit to give me," she said in a stoic voice.
Itachi didn't answer only stared at her eyes. What just happened was…indescribable. He knew the story, Seito had told him the story a few nights ago. But witnessing this was beyond anything. The anger displayed in Seito's malicious assault was very personal…almost too personal. But then again he does not have a sister so he doesn't know the feeling. Flicking his eyes away from Seito's he caught the gaze of the town's mayor.
"Follow me," he ordered. Seito fell into step behind him as Itachi walked over to the Mayor. "Considering one of my soldiers attacked one of your villagers I will leave his punishment up to you." Mostly because he didn't know if he could punish the boy. Granted it was out of anger but he was defending his sister's honor.
The old mayor nodded then turned to look at Seito his eyes pitying the boy, "Your name son?"
"Haruno Seito."
"Did you start this fight Haruno-san?"
"I did."
"Why?"
Sakura looked directly into his wise old eyes, "He attacked my sister ten years ago. I thought he was still in prison doing time for his crime. When I saw him again out in the open I lost it."
The mayor nodded, "What happened to her?"
"Surely you heard."
"I did but I want to hear it from you. I know why Fukoji-san is here. If he were to leave this village I would have to report it to Konoha since that is where he was arrested. So what did he do to your sister?"
Sakura took a deep breath to try and steady her nerves. She could feel tears starting to form but she choked them down. Men don't cry! "She was six when he, his boss, and another man came to kill her. He was a member of the blue lipped rapists. He stripped her clothing then sat and watched and laughed at her as his boss took a knife to her back." She cleared her throat, the tears becoming more prominent but not yet falling. "They were stopped by my father before she was raped and killed. But it has left a permanent mark on her psyche." DON'T CRY!
"I see," he murmured, "It was a grave offense against your sister's honor, especially since she was so young. You are a brave young man to stand up for her. She's lucky to have you."
Seito nodded a loan tear escaping to trail down her bloody cheek.
"For this offense we usually confine the criminal to a week in prison and ten lashings. But you are a soldier called to protect our country from a foe beyond our borders. It would be unwise of me to enforce said punishment in this instance."
"Yes sir."
"But a punishment is still called for," the mayor rubbed his long beard.
"I'll take the lashings sir. If it would appease you, you may double it in recompense for the jail time I won't serve," Sakura offered keeping her stoic visage, her tears sufficiently dried up with that declaration.
The old man's eyes narrowed slightly, as did Itachi's. "You would take twenty lashings for your crime? Won't that affect your performance in the battlefield?"
She shrugged, "It may or may not. Depending on how I heal. I heal pretty fast so I'm not overly concerned. I suffered more grueling punishments while training with my father. And I am heading into war where I may die but it won't be because I took these lashings."
There was something about the old man's gaze that made Sakura slightly unsettled. But luckily he agreed, "Then come with me. We will mete out your punishment at the jail house. Captain where is this soldier staying?"
"With me in the River Hotel, room 101," Itachi answered.
He nodded, "We will bring you your soldier when his punishment is finished."
"I will accompany you."
"No need Captain," the mayor shook his head, "You wanted me to discipline this man so I will do it my way."
Itachi nodded considering it was true. He didn't want to punish Seito so he handed it off. He would abide by the man's ruling.
Sakura followed the old man dutifully until they reach the jail house. Opening a door at the end of holding cells they took the stairs down into the basement. Once she was standing in front of a stone wall containing shackles she turned to face the mayor.
"That attack was too personal to be done by a brother. It was you who was the victim, was it not?"
Shock; eyes wide open and dropped jaw. She even held her breath.
"I am a victim of abuse. I know personal vengeance when I see it. My father was an alcoholic and died by the one thing he couldn't live without. While he was alive things were bad, but when he finally died my life and that of my family's was turned around. Have you done such with your own life, little girl?"
Bowing her head Sakura tried to overcome her shock and sorrow. "How did you know?"
"Your sorrow. Your anger. I saw them in myself once. An observer would be angered but not to the extent that you were."
She looked back up tears in her eyes once more, "I wanted to kill him. I would have if his wife had not stopped me."
He nodded, "I know."
"I've been so full of anger, and hatred towards men. All men. They were all the same to me. They see women as objects to be won and not people. They think we are things to be used and abused. And then I heard him laugh. Everything came back like I was in that moment once again. Only this time I wasn't weak, I was strong. I've trained my entire life so I wouldn't be put in that position again. I had to make him an example. Had to take out my ten years' worth of anger on him. Because he was there. He was guilty."
The mayor nodded again in understanding, "And now?"
"Now?" She choked a laugh the tears streaming freely now, "Now I'm confused. How can someone so evil, so vile just change in the blink of an eye? How can someone go from murdering and raping women to being happily married with a child on the way?"
"People may change young one but it is never that quick. The longer one stays in their ways the harder it is to let go. We humans are creatures of habit and we thrive on routine. Fukoji-san came to this village seven years ago. But I can honestly say I didn't see a genuine change in the man until he met his Atsuko. That woman changed him for the better. Sure he was being a good citizen and abiding by his freedom agreement with Konoha, but true change sometimes needs a catalyst. Atsuko was Fukoji's catalyst. They are very much in love and it will be a love that can withstand even the hardest of trials. Tonight was one such example."
Sakura nodded in understanding.
"What is it that you seek child?"
"I…" she paused to think, "I don't know."
"Think hard."
She closed her eyes and pondered, "Peace…love…trust."
He smiled at her, "All very important things. All very attainable things if you let yourself reach for them."
She looked back up, "How?"
"You have it in your head that all men are evil, vile creatures that think women are toys?"
She nodded.
"Then you know what you need to change. That kind of anger and hatred will never allow you to feel the joy of peace, the sanctity of love, or bond of trust. How do you do it? That's for you to figure out."
She nodded in understanding as a woman wearing an officer's uniform entered into the chamber with them. The mayor turned to the officer, "Hara-san go gently on her, she has been through enough pain."
"Hai Watashi-san," the woman bowed then proceeded to help Sakura undress from her top. She then shackled her wrists with her face up against the stone wall. A second later she felt the harsh sting of a whip.
"Ten lashings only."
HOLY DRAMA! I love drama. Anyways let me know what you think about this chapter! I love reviews: the good, the bad, and the ugly :)