Hi! I'm very pleased with the response the sequel has gotten so far ^_^~! At least, with the Ita x Saku pairing, that is. Unfortunately, the Sasu x Saku pairing has not been as good with response, which is slightly disheartening, but I won't let that deter my efforts for making both as equally worth the read.
Now I just want to clarify a point that I probably should have mentioned in an A/N in the prologue, but forgot to. By this time, Itachi and Sakura sort of already have something going on, nothing concrete, but the feelings are definitely there, whether they want to fully admit it or not. They know they care about each other, but they haven't really explored the depths of this "care" because of the situation in which they are in, and Itachi additionally being all too aware of the fact that she had liked his younger brother -had loved, even. So as far as their dynamics, this is where they stand, and you'll see more of that during this chapter. Because they have technically had 3 years to get to know each other during this time skip, you won't see much of them getting to know each other, but if you guys want to, I don't mind creating a flashback per chapter, as I do in Sakura's New Future, to go further into character development for them. But I'll leave that up to the discretion of the readers o:
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters in any way, shape, or form.
Chapter 2: Konohagakure
Sakura had been staring at the scroll for hours now, in between her doing away with paperwork absent-mindedly and avoiding contact with her Akatsuki friends, namely Itachi and Konan (although out of the two of them, only Itachi knew that she had received said letter). After all the paperwork had been done and sent with Sayaka to be filed and sent to the Daimyo respectively, she knew she could no longer avoid her duty, especially not after Itachi had appeared in her office, through the window with a henge in place.
He noticed the scroll lay unopened on the corner of her desk, although he could not blame her for taking her time in reading over its contents. Whatever it was, it could not be good for Sakura, although Itachi had a hunch as to what it could be. He did not press her on the matter; his being there was enough pressing for her, he was sure, so he simply stood there by the wall furthest to her desk, waiting patiently for the inevitable.
"You sure are pushy aren't you, Itachi?" she seemed irritated by his presence. "Or nosy, I can't tell which at the moment." she added as an after thought. "Maybe both." Clearly, she was trying to make light out of the situation, although her mind was clearly burdened by a simple scroll.
"And you are nervous, Sakura." he ignored her comments. "Why?" he spoke so casually.
"Why? Because this is the last people I want to hear from, what do you mean why?" Sakura frowned, her eyes finally meeting those of Itachi's. For Kami's sake this was the nation she formally followed, the nation where all of her previous friends and comrades lived, and it was unnerving to think her former mentor wanted to relay a message to her. With that being said, Sakura grabbed the scroll, and with one last sigh, threw away her reservation and opened the scroll. There was no reason to get her panties in a bunch without even knowing what Tsunade wanted, after all.
Dear Otokage,
Konoha humbly invites you to our village, in hopes of becoming better acquainted with you. I sincerely hope you accept our invitation in hopes of creating some sort of friendship between these two nations, one which will benefit us both in the long run. I hope to hear your response soon. If you have any questions or concerns on the matter, do not hesitate to ask as well.
Sincerely,
Senju Tsunade, Godaime Hokage
Sakura blinked; twice, thrice. Well, this was just her luck.
Almost as if sensing her displeasure, Itachi kicked himself off of the wall he had been leaning on and approached her. He stood beside her, and read the contents fairly quickly, this having been exactly what he had suspected it to be.
Konoha was seeking an audience with Sakura, although he knew with much certainty that this was not about becoming friends, and he knew that Sakura knew this well too. "You could always refuse." Itachi spoke. "You are too compromised with your busy agenda here in Otogakure as it is." he reasoned.
"And look suspicious as all hell?" Sakura frowned, arguing against said statement. "I know about the rumors Itachi -they're fairly accurate, not to mention, and I'm sure Tsunade has heard of them and gathered as much as well. If I decline this will only make Oto look suspicious in the long run." She sighed in irritation, releasing the scroll onto her desk and busying her hands by interlacing them with one another as she thought this request through. "I have to go."
"No, you do not." Itachi reasoned with her once more, knowing that in her heart there must be some sort of dread, and who knows what else.
"Yes I do. It is my duty as Otokage. I signed up for this life, I cannot run away as soon as something so trivial confronts me." Sakura shook her head in denial. "I will go." she ascertained once more.
"Then I shall go with you." Itachi stated. "This is the least I can do if it'll aid you in feeling more at ease." he didn't even bat an eyelash.
"I can't possibly make you do that." but even though she said this, her chair slightly turning to stare up at the Uchiha, Itachi gave her a look, almost as if saying you can't tell me what to do, prompting Sakura to add a quick "Besides, Pein wouldn't even allow that. Why would he let Akatsuki step foot inside Konoha?" The idea in itself was preposterous, and she knew Nagato would never allow such a thing.
"Pein ordered me to do what I see fit to protect our interests." he countered without even a bat of his lash.
"Your interests, as you call it, are not at risk. These are my personal fears getting to me, is all."
"My interest lies in protecting you, Sakura." His blunt statement, said so matter-of-fact, seemed to leave him unfazed, making Sakura's cheeks flush pink almost immediately. How could he say things like that and not even feel embarrassed about it? Especially when it would always, and she meant always, emit a response out of her, whether physical or emotional.
"...But what if you're discovered?" It was all she could do to change the topic, a frown on her features.
"I won't be." Itachi assured in that Uchiha-esque matter which left no room for argument, "and you know it." he added for emphasis. "There is no reason for Konoha to turn Sharingan or Byakugan eyes on me -as such, I am perfectly safe so long as I have a guise."
And yes, Sakura knew it was true, but it didn't stop her from looking for any other sort of excuse. Truth be told, she wasn't sure about how she felt about Itachi seeing Sasuke -it worried her more than her meeting her old friends and comrades, truth be told, something she knew to be because of her suspicions of Itachi's real motives for the Uchiha Massacre, although she couldn't get a peep out of him when it came to the subject. "And what if I don't want you to go?" she bit her bottom lip.
A flash of something flickered in Itachi's eyes, although Sakura couldn't pin-point what it was. "Then it is unfortunate that you don't control me, isn't it?"
"...Alright smart-ass." she glared at him. "Go get Konan and Kisame for me, please. We should discuss this issue as a whole." she leaned back onto her chair, her eyes closed, although she could both sense and hear Itachi slowly making his way out of the room. "And if Konan and Kisame decide against it, promise me you won't go." she knew he had heard her, having stopped before exiting the office room, but upon hearing her words he was quick to walk away without a response.
He would make no such promise, after all.
Fifteen minutes later, Itachi reappeared in her office with the two aforementioned Akatsuki members, and once they had all settled down Sakura allowed them to read the letter, she promptly began to explain her ideas as to how to coordinate the response, as well as Itachi's overall involvement in her plan.
"Hmmm... I'm sorry Sakura, I've gotta go with Itachi on this one. I don't really see an issue with Itachi going. In fact, I want to go too." Kisame had his arms crossed, currently leaning against a wall, a foot holding his balance against it.
Sakura scowled. "Absolutely not. Henge or not, you are not subtle about your identity, what with your blood thirst and your seven foot sword." she exaggerated with a glare. "Regardless, Pein would never allow such a thing." she added, a hand on her hip.
"Not necessarily." Konan added, making Sakura's frown deepen. "Pein wants us to ensure our interests, which is you, just as Itachi stated." she explained. "Although unlikely, there is a possible threat to your life if you go into enemy territory, that being Konoha, of course. Rumors of how you achieved your reputation have spread throughout the lands; Konoha is not an exception. If they for some reason see you as a threat and agree that the best way to take you out would be under their roof, then I'm sure that you won't get out unscathed without some back up. As such, I'd even insist I go as well."
"..." Sakura could say nothing for a long time, unbelieving of the Akatsuki members in front of her. She hoped that they would help Itachi understand that it was not a good idea for him to go, but they turn this around on her and decide they should all go instead?! "Then I shall bring Akira and a couple other shinobi with me. There's no reason to involve you guys." she sighed, shaking her head.
"As promising as Akira is, his strengths are nowhere near our level of skill. With the likes of the Jinchuuriki and that Copy-Cat nin, the likelihood of him being useful is slim to none." Kisame reasoned.
"I know them, Konan. I know they won't just attack me because they have the smallest theory that I work with Akatsuki." she frowned.
"You knew them, Sakura." Kisame corrected her, not missing the way she flinched slightly. "-and during that time, you were a comrade -you were never seen as an enemy. Here you will be. And it's been three years. Surely you can't expect everyone to be as you left them. Reasoning like that will get you killed, kitten." he was more serious than she had expected him to be.
Sakura opened her mouth to interject, to argue against him, but found she could come up with a valid argument. With a sigh, she couldn't help but admit defeat. "Fine. If you guys want to go, then so be it. But one of you guys needs to stay here in my stead to watch over Oto. I will not leave it defenseless just a day after my coronation." She hoped that at least in this way, Itachi would somehow be voted as the odd man out and be forced to stay here. "While you three coordinate with that, I shall give Tsunade my response."
And so it had been, and Sakura had been left to quietly respond to the letter, as the Akatsuki members filed out of her office one by one -save for the lone Uchiha who knew that Konan and Kisame would figure things out and get back to him on it (plus, it didn't hurt to know that Kisame, and possibly Konan, knew very well that he intended to go with Sakura, with or without the permission of Pein and even if they had voted him to stay in the village).
"What is it Itachi?" she hummed out, not looking up from the empty scroll before her, as she tried to formulate some words that sounded hospital enough, even if she knew Tsunade's true intentions behind the invitation.
He approached her once more, standing alongside her as she began to scribble down her response. "You have no need to worry about me, Sakura." he insisted once more.
"Even if I didn't I know I still would." she sighed -curse her for caring.
"I implore you to worry about yourself." he placed a gentle arm for comfort, because he knew, even if it didn't look like Sakura needed any, that she must be dealing with an assortment of different feelings about having to go to Konoha after three and a half long years of not being in contact with them, and not to mention that they thought her dead.
Sakura frowned, slightly leaning into his touch. "What if they recognize me?"
"We've gone through extensive efforts to make sure nobody makes the connection, Sakura." Itachi dismissed her concern. Her name had been altered, her hair died, her scent and outfits changed, her fighting style completely different. To top it all off, they had even changed her own chakra signature through some manipulation on Sasori's and his part. But he knew her concerns stemmed further past that, because this would be the first time she would see her former comrades in a Konoha setting, in which she would have to converse with them, and be cordial and what have you, and how could she pretend to be so friendly knowing what she knew? Knowing that Saki had practically killed her, her friends abandoned her on the battlefield, and forgotten about her shortly afterwards? And as all these thoughts raced though her mind, she couldn't help her knuckles from tightening ever so slightly.
What would happen when she saw her mentor again?
Or Naruto? And even Sasuke? No longer Sasuke-kun, but Uchiha-san or Sasuke-san, and no longer Kakashi-sensei, but Hatake-san or the Copy Cat Ninja?
It was slightly overwhelming to be honest, but she was glad to have Itachi there to lean on, even if just for the slightest of moments. "Would you mind sending this back to Konoha?" Sakura sighed once more, finishing up her letter and sealing it.
"I shall have Akira handle the matter." Itachi dismissed her. "You have yet to have lunch, correct?" Even though he asked, it was more of a statement.
"But I have to-"
"It can wait, Sakura." he cut her off, knowing that this was just her trying to busy herself with a multitude of tasks just so that she didn't have to think about her current situation. "It won't be too much longer before Konan and Kisame come back. Give yourself some time to breath."
And so it had been, and she and Itachi returned to her quaint little home in order to eat a small lunch and think about what it was that she was to do.
Shizune was not one to question Tsunade's actions on a typical day (unless she was completely drunk, that is), but sending the newly-named Otokage an invitation to Konoha hadn't been one of the smartest things that Tsunade could have done, to say the least.
"You know the rumors, Tsunade. What if she brings Akatsuki in with her? It's like we're asking for Naruto to get kidnapped." Shizune frowned.
"It'd be hard for Naruto to get kidnapped within our own walls." Tsunade frowned. What with the combined efforts of not just herself, but Kakashi, Neji, Naruto, and Sasuke? Please, she'd like to see Akatsuki try to get their hands on Naruto. "Furthermore, if these are to be her intentions, then so be it. At least we'll know that she cannot be trusted in the long run -an incentive for us to turn to them with war. If they have clear connections with Akatsuki, then she may be the way to destroy them." Tsunade reasoned. "Aren't you the least bit curious to know if what the rumors say are actually true?" she glanced at Shizune quizzically.
"What more is there to know? As soon as she appeared in Oto, Akatsuki sighting and actions had become less and less around any of the other hidden villages. They've been seen on numerous occasions up and about in Oto, I would think that warrants enough suspicion." Shizune stated, her hands wrapped around TonTon.
Tsunade sighed, leaning back on her chair. Truth be told, the only reason she was giving this so-called Miyuki (if that was even her name) the benefit of the doubt was because Jiraiya had brought up a good point -if she was working with Akatsuki and furthering their agenda, why had she gone through such extensive efforts to better the economic standing of Otogakure? Why not just be a dictator like Orochimaru and use it as a means of finding people to experiment on and recruit? Something didn't quite sit right with her, and she knew her suspicions would not qualm until she was able to see Miyuki face to face and actually get to know her.
"How long do you think it'll take to get a response?" Shizune stated, a nervous undertone in her voice.
"Not much more than twenty four hours." Tsunade estimated. "There's no reason for it. My letter will get here by the end of tonight; I'm assuming she won't actually receive it until tomorrow morning, though." Tsunade stated as she stood. "But never mind that. Start setting up quarters for the Otokage and a select handful of her shinobi. I'll be briefing a team to guide them into the city."
Shizune couldn't help but arch an eyebrow in question. "Why are you so sure that she'll come?" she asked.
Tsunade could have scoffed, a smug expression on her features as she began to walk away. "Because Miyuki has no choice."
Godaime Hokage,
It is a pleasure to formally accept your invitation. I thank you sincerely for reaching out towards us so quickly after my ascension as Otokage. I will have to make some arrangements to accommodate this prompt meeting, but I do plan to meet you in two days time. I will have one of my shinobi, Akira, handle the preparations regarding our arrival with you. I plan on bringing three shinobi apart from myself. If housing seems to be an issue, please notify me with time in advance.
-Nidaime Otokage
"Lady Miyuki. Everything has been prepared for our departure." She was currently in her office making final instructions for whom she had left in charge in her stead, when Akira had come in with a polite knock. She looked up, a slight smile on her face.
"Arigatou Akira. I shall be there momentarily. Thank you for your patience."
Even if what she said did not remotely deserve his reaction, he blushed nonetheless, and with a bow scampered off. Within a minute's time, three shinobi walked into her office, each familiar enough to her, although none bore the typical Akatsuki cloak over their figure.
"I can't believe I have to stay behind." Kisame sighed, his arms behind his head in a lazy fashion. "I sure as hell didn't sign up to be Otokage." he complained.
"Oh shush. You guys took a vote; don't come to me with your whining." She rolled her eyes at the antics of her companions. As an after thought, a smirk intact, she decided to add a quick insulting endearment, "fish-face."
Kisame scowled. "Whatever. If anyone here is to be made fun of, it should be Itachi, alright?"
Itachi flashed him a glare, although the Kiri-nin couldn't take it seriously in the slightest.
He was, after all, uncharacteristically shorter, his hair significantly longer, his eyelashes thicker and fuller. His face was rounder than what was usual for his typical noble aristocrat features, his face softer, and finally, he donned curves not belonging to that of a man.
"Oh cut it out Kisame." Sakura rolled her eyes yet again. "He makes a beautiful girl. More beautiful than I could ever hope to be." Although meant to be a joke to tease Itachi too, there was much truth in Sakura's words. He was beautiful -breathtakingly so, down to the alluring, majestic and noble air to her body language and face expression, almost as if she were a noble princess who belonged in a tapestry depicting times of long ago.
Itachi gave her a glance, as if warning her to not continue on with this teasing, lest he never hear the end of it from Kisame. With a sigh, Sakura returned her gaze back on Kisame. "I've given you specific instruction on what it is I expect to be done by the time I come back. Sayaka should take care of most of the items on this list, and she is also well-informed on the matters outside of her typical job. If you have any questions or reservations, don't be afraid to go directly to her." Sakura began to explain. "I've already dealt with the Daimyo about the matter, so do not approach him with matters having to do with the Ninja Academy unless he explicitly begins the conversation. And if he does, just give him one of your toothy grins and I'm sure he'll shut right up." Sakura chuckled. Kisame had the luxury of looking utterly dangerous due to his stature and sharp teeth, which was normally a bad thing, but nobody liked to deal with Daimyos' to begin with. She had heard an earful from him the previous day when she notified him that she would be going to Konoha for a few days, and had been less than pleased with his remarks.
"I told you bringing shinobi business into this town was no good. And now you're leaving us defenseless against an attack just days after your descent into Kage-ship. You're a disgrace."
But whatever -that old bag wouldn't know the right course of action even if it hit him in the face with a brick.
"Hai, hai." Kisame's response brought her back from her small daze.
"And try not to make a mess, and no, Sayaka is not your own personal chef. If you get hungry, you will go out like any other civilized person and buy your own food, you got that?"
"Hai, hai." Although displeased to hear this, he could always just-
"And no, you will most definitely not raid my fridge or free-load off of Sera's kindness, do you understand?"
Kisame frowned. "Imprison and starve me then, why don't you." he stuck his tongue out at Sakura in a childish manner.
Sakura rolled her eyes, as she stood up and made her way to the other side of her desk, walking towards Konan who already had her pack of belongings ready for Sakura to take. "Arigatou." she muttered a quick thank you as she received the pack, and then once more adverted her gaze to Kisame. "Don't worry, out of the kindness of my heart, I have left you a little allowance for food -seeing as you are watching over my village and all." she shrugged. "But know if anything happens it'll be on your head." There was a frightening sort of threat in Sakura's words, one which Kisame would never admit made him shift uncomfortably, but he knew that Sakura simply cared too much about this village to see anything happen to it and truly meant no harm by it.
"I'm not a child, Sakura." Kisame rolled his eyes. "Go already. What do you think is going to happen? I'll accidentally set Otogakure on fire while you're gone?" he stated sarcastically.
"Well, it wouldn't be the first time." Sakura muttered under her breath, although Kisame had clearly heard it -it didn't help that Konan let out a small snicker and Itachi had flashed him a glance, almost as if taunting him for his idiocy.
"For the last time, it had been Deidara, for Kami's sake! I'm not the arsonist that likes to blow things up in the organization! Your roof is no fault of mine." he stated indignantly.
"Hai, hai." It was Sakura's turn to roll her eyes. He may not have been the one to physically do it, but he did come up with the idea and egg him on, which is just as bad, honestly. But that was a thing of the past and Sakura was just teasing anyway, and so the four of them made their way outside the building and met up with Akira, who was watching over the belongings of Konan and Itachi (now henge'd in a typical fashion that Akira had gotten accustomed to).
"Ready to go, Akira?"
"Hai, Lady Miyuki!" He was as exuberant as always.
"Alright, let's go. I'd like to make it before sundown." Not an impossible feat, although Akira was sure to be tired by the end of the trip.
"Hai. The Godaime Hokage said there would be a team of ANBU waiting for us at this designated location to escort us into the village." and as he said this he walked towards Sakura and pointed towards a specific location on a map of the Fire Country, a spot which Sakura knew fairly well, even though it had been years since she had stepped foot in the village.
"Hai. It'll be no problem."
And so it had been.
Travelling outside of Oto and to official Land of Fire territory had been a breeze thanks to the close proximity between the two nations, but this was not to mean that any of them were relaxed -oh no, far from it. Both Sakura and Itachi ran high risks of being discovered by their former home, an affiliation that could get both of them killed, whereas Akira was in his own little world, wondering what it would be like to enter Konoha. Not once before had he been outside of Otogakure before, but he had always had big dreams about travelling the world and experience different cultures unlike his own. Although thrilling, it was nerve-wrecking, because as exuberant and free-spirited as he was and acted, he knew this was serious business to his most esteemed Lady Otokage. Why else would she have brought with her the people who he knew to be inherently Akatsuki, but constantly turned a blind eye to?
As much as he played the fool, he knew of the rumors, and he could not remain blissfully unaware forever, especially not with the constant time he spent with Lady Miyuki. And although at first he had been fearful and unsure as to how he should feel about this, or what he should do, he had learnt to trust his Otokage.
"Are the rumors true?"
He remembered he had confronted her about it two years ago, when he had accidentally walked in on her speaking business with one Uchiha Itachi, as he had learned him to be.
"And if I were to tell you they were? Would you feel betrayed?"
She had stared at him then, her voice cold, her eyes un-telling of her true thoughts.
"Why them? Why would you bring them here?" In truth, he had felt betrayed -here she was, preaching to be the savior of Otogakure, willing to bring change and peace, but she turned around and brought over people from the very same organization the first Otokage had been in -and look what that had done to them. She was directly getting them involved with the bad side of shinobi politics, the dark side which was always blurring lines, and he hadn't known how to feel about it, especially when he had nothing but the utmost best opinion of her. She was beautiful, intuitive, driven, smart, incredibly strong, and so very compassionate -had it all been a lie?
"If not them, who else would help me?" He had not had an answer for her then, even as she brushed past him. "My goals change not because of them. Hate me for it if you'd like. I still plan on doing this for Otogakure, and you're either with me or against me." Their shoulders had brushed as she walked past him, and he had not the heart to look at her then.
He knew that it was dangerous to know what he knew -that, were it not up to her, the Akatsuki might have possibly killed him for discovering their actions in Otogakure due to the risk of him telling somebody so early on in their plans. But whether they did indeed mean to keep this secret, they harmed him not, and he knew it to be because she had ordered them not to. "He's a smart kid with a bright future ahead of him. Who are we to take that away from him? He's just trying to figure out whether his conscious can live with our actions -its understandable. I would have had my doubts doing what I do now two years ago as well."
She had been so selfless in protecting him from Akatsuki, and it brought him back to his first encounters with her, when she was defending him even when the others had doubted his ability to grow as a ninja, and she had even believed in his strength when none other would, which was perhaps why he had felt so betrayed. But bit by bit he began to understand that making a deal with Akatsuki was a sacrifice that she had to make. And the fact that she was willing to make it, to taint her name for it, showed just how desperate she was to save Otogakure from their current affliction.
So how could he not forgive her, and further respect her for her actions after the fact? For risking her life everyday just for his home?
Perhaps his admiration for her developed into a small crush, but it was an innocent crush, one which he knew was blatantly obvious, but he would keep to himself nonetheless. She was older after all, and only a man was suited to be her partner, a man much like Uchiha Itachi as he had his suspicions (he and Konan had actually gossiped about it much). And although he liked to pretend in his own little world that he and Itachi were rivals, he knew there was no competition, and it secretly angered him.
"How long until we're at the meeting point, Akira-kun?"
Suddenly Miyuki's voice had snapped him out of his train of thoughts. "E-Etto..." he muttered, scrummaging through his belongings until he pulled out the map. "Just a few kilometers now. The Godaime Hokage had specific instructions that an ANBU team would find us once we gathered at our destination."
Miyuki gave a nod and said nothing more, her thoughts and emotions expertly hidden behind a facade. If she was nervous, she definitely didn't show it, and Konan gave her much credit for that.
It was a bright day in the Land of Fire -not that this was a peculiar sight, then again. Three shinobi were lounging around outside of the village, of course on orders from their Hokage. One was located at the base of a tree trunk sitting down casually, another standing atop said tree, his pearl eyes examining the area around them, and a third shinobi alongside the same branch, doing pull-ups at a ridiculous pace.
"Nee, what do you think she'll be like?"
The Team Captain glanced down at his only female partner. "If the rumors are true, I don't expect much." His brown hair was long -past his waist almost, although it seemed to only add to his allure, a mysterious man with a porcelain hawk mask currently strapped to his neck, but not covering his face, similar to his other two teammates.
"It is true that it seems she has been condoning such un-youthful behavior with Akatsuki, but should we not give her the benefit of the doubt?"
"Can you really come back from that though?"
"They're all just allegations." Neji dismissed TenTen's comment. "We are to escort them to the village in an unbiased fashion, and only attack if we are attacked."
"Well I know that. I just don't trust Lee to not act so... Lee-ish."
Lee frowned, but had no room to comment as Neji's look at the forest beyond them sudden intensified. "They've arrived at the given destination." Almost immediately Lee stopped his shenanigans and TenTen stood up, all three of them placing on their respective ANBU masks. "We shall approach slowly, but be cautious. We don't know what we're dealing with."
Nearly the entire bunch had sensed the group of ANBU long before they had actually seen them. So they sat, waiting by a nearby boulder, lying in wait for the aforementioned Konoha ANBU to arrive and escort them to the village.
"Do you recognize them?" Konan had mumbled casually, making sure that Akira had not heard them, absent-mindedly staring at the sky.
"People's chakra signatures naturally change over time." Sakura shrugged. "I'd have to see them without their masks on."
At least, this had been what she thought, but upon seeing long luscious brown locks of a distinctly male figure and a green jumpsuit underneath the typical ANBU attire, she realized that perhaps this had not been an accurate statement.
The greeting between them had been formal. Neji, the clear leader, was rigidly stiff as he spoke to them and addressed Miyuki. "Greetings Nidaime Otokage. We have been assigned to escort you safely to Konohagakure."
His voice had gotten deeper and more harsh, Sakura couldn't help but think. Nevertheless, this didn't matter, she couldn't help but think as she turned to address the ANBU leader. "Hai." Miyuki had stated very curtly, her heartbeat pounding but her face revealing nothing.
All of them had grown taller, and TenTen now had the curves of a woman.
Then again, she supposed so did she, to a smaller extent.
They began their walk, the ANBU leading the way in a somewhat triangular formation, with Neji in the back and Lee and TenTen just a ways ahead of him, clearly as a precaution in case they decided to attack. It was actually a little amusing, seeing them so tense, although Sakura couldn't honestly blame them.
"We don't bite, Leaf Shinobi-san. You can rest at ease." Miyuki stated almost as a reminder, her eyes glimmering with amusement that no one could see because of her Kage hat.
Neji seemed unfazed by the fact that she could see how tense they were so easily. Regardless of this though, it seemed he would not respond to this statement. "Tsunade will be meeting you at the front gates of the village, where she will personally escort you all to her office for further greetings."
"Hai, arigatou." Instead of bothering them any further, she turned her gaze to the youngest member of her group. "I hear the Hokage monuments here are quite the spectacle. Are you excited to see them, Akira-kun?"
There seemed to be a glint in his eyes at the mention, never mind the fact that Miyuki was addressing him specifically, other than her other close (Akatsuki) companions. "Hai! Wouldn't it be cool if you too had a monument with your face on it, Lady Miyuki?" In fact, wouldn't it be cool if someday his face was on a monument somewhere? The thought had him bubbling with excitement.
Miyuki couldn't help but chuckle, ruffling Akira's unruly hair. "Why should we steal someone's tradition? We should make our own." Of course, this only got the boy to start ranting about ideas, but Sakura had purposely done this, if only because his banter always helped to soothe her own concerns, and she supposed it would help to show the ANBU that they were definitely not hostile. She had learned long ago that Akira had a child-like charisma akin to Naruto; if it had worked for her and her Akatsuki friends, she was sure it would work for the ANBU team as well.
Before long, the monuments they had been speaking of were visible, and a little while after that the front gates, held open for their arrival with Tsunade standing there alongside some of her own shinobi.
'Here goes nothing...' Sakura stared on, her eyes empty and devoid of emotion. How long had it been since she had set foot in the village?
"Hokage-sama." She heard Neji speak, bowing before Tsunade in a respectful manner. "I present to you the Otokage and her shinobi."
"Arigatou. You're dismissed for now." From thereon, she turned her attention to the clearly identifiable Otokage, wearing a cloak and hat not unlike the one she currently wore now, contrary to her usual attire. "We humbly welcome you to Konoha, Nidaime Otokage and company." Tsunade stated, a smile on her features which, although seemingly normal, was not as genuine as Sakura knew it to be.
Sakura did not wait to step up and approach Tsunade until they were just a foot away. "Arigatou, Hokage-san." she gave a curt nod of respect.
"If you would please follow me, I will show you to your sleeping quarters so you may get settled in first and foremost. I apologize for the short notice of your invitation." Tsunade continued, holding out her hand for Miyuki to take.
"No need to apologize." Miyuki shook her head slightly. "I presume some form of immediate action should have been taken sooner or later; given the rumors, that is." Sakura's face was curved up in what could almost be considered a taunting smile, as she noticed Tsunade's smile twitch slightly.
'Well she's cutting to the chase, isn't she?' Tsunade mentally snorted, but did not let this comment get to her. "There shall be time to talk about that later." Tsunade dismissed Sakura's taunt. "What shall I refer to you as, Otokage-san? Your election was quite out of the blue, I don't think I've ever heard of you."
"Miyuki is fine." Sakura gave a nod, and as an afterthought added, "Although I'm sure you already knew that. I presume you had Jiraiya, your Sannin teammate, gather information on me, or am I wrong?"
Tsunade's smile twitched once more. "Nothing seems to get past you, Miyuki-san."
"Not much does." her smile was once again turned into an upwards victorious taunt. There was no way that Jiraiya, or any of his toads or informants for that matter, were going to step foot in the village to try and find out about her and she not realize it. "Although I am curious to know, what is it he was able to find on me?"
"In the spirit of honesty, not much other than your name, if that is even your real one, and your actions these past three years."
Sakura nodded, almost as if thanking Tsunade for her honesty, but let's be serious, Tsunade knew when to give up. This wasn't a battle for her to fight. "So what do I have this pleasure in doing here -the pretense, that is?" Sakura asked, and despite the animosity that should be there, Miyuki was as courteous as ever, almost as if she were exchanging common pleasantries with an old time friend.
"Well, as a neighboring country, I thought it only polite to invite you, in order for you to see who were are and what we stand for as a nation."
"That's mighty thoughtful of you, Hokage-sama." She gave a slight bow of thanks.
Tsunade declined to comment on her thanks, instead continuing to walk towards the heart of the city.
And so it had been, Konan and her new beautiful, elegant shinobi Kagami, and Akira, followed suit, Kagami alongside Sakura whilst the remaining two shinobi walked just a few short feet behind them, taking in the sight of Konoha -after all, neither of them had been inside Konoha walls, and as such had no idea what it looked like.
The town was bustling, Sakura quietly taking in the buildings -some new, most old, and people who reminded her of her past faintly, but she could no longer but a name to the face for the common villager even if she wanted to. Despite the chaos, all noticed the peculiar purple Kage hat following Tsunade around, and knowing the rumors of the arrival of the new Otokage, all knew to stay clear of Tsunade's path and simply stare from afar, taking in the sight of foreign kunoichi and shinobi alike (and who was that majestic beauty standing alongside the hooded Kage?).
They had almost made it to their destination, key word almost, when a sudden disturbance began approaching, through means of an annoying and ear-piercing shout. Of course, although most knew to stay out of their way, there was one particular case that care not for such formalities. "TSUNADE-BAAAA~~!"
Kagami could distinctly see Miyuki's body stiffen into a rigid and immobile stance as all shinobi halted their movements in search of the not-so mysterious voice. Her hand slipped out of her robe, her thumb brushing against the palm of Miyuki's hand discreetly. Said Otokage glanced upwards to her model-like companion, as she gave her Kage a small smile.
It'll be alright,
She knew that this was what Itachi was trying to tell her, and she knew, had she not been wearing her kage hat that Itachi would be able to see the small droplets of sweat forming at her brow. Truthfully speaking, she didn't know who it would be the hardest to meet, although she sincerely hoped to not come across the likes of-
Well, it didn't even matter, because said shinobi she was thinking of was walking just a way's away from Naruto, in an almost irritated fashion.
"God damn it Sasuke. I told you to keep him busy." She could hear Tsunade's irritated tone as she muttered this under her breath, apparently not meant to be heard by her or the rest of her shinobi. Instead, she turned in an apologetic fashion. "I'm truly sorry. I tried to prolong your meeting with my idiotic shinobi, but he has a keen nose and likes to get himself into trouble."
Miyuki handled this well, lifting up a hand to stifle a laugh. "And why would his meeting me get him into trouble?" she mused.
"Because he does not know how to keep his mouth shut, and he has an inherent desire of challenging anyone who is a higher ranking than him." Tsunade could have rolled her eyes, turning to scowl at Sasuke -this was all his fault, she reasoned.
"Tch." Sasuke didn't bother with words, running his fingers through his hair in a Shikamaru-like fashion, settling for rolling his eyes and afterwards shoving his hands into his Jounin flak.
"Ohayo Tsunade-baachan! Is this the Otokage? Can I meet her?" he was as energetic as ever, trying to get past Tsunade to get a peek at the aforementioned Kage, but Tsunade was successfully pulling him by the collar and away from her.
"If you had bothered to listen to me at all, I am having her first and foremost put her belongings down, and then giving her a tour of the town to better acquaint her with Konoha, idiot." For added effect, she lay a punch atop Naruto's head, earning him a rightfully deserved bump.
Akira couldn't help but snicker at this, not gone unnoticed by the Jinchuuriki, who turned with a pout and narrowed eyes at the blue-haired nin. "And why are you laughing, brat?" he scoffed, glaring at the boy.
"Because you just got put in your place, brat." Akira retorted back, clearly amused. "And what makes you believe that you're important enough to meet with my Lady Miyuki as soon as she comes into the village?" Akira scoffed.
Naruto had never taken back-talk well, especially not from a younger generation, and as such he wasted no time to come up to Akira (by way of slipping out of the jacket Tsunade currently clung on to), regardless of Tsunade's attempts to steer him clear of Miyuki's entourage. "Listen here, shrimp. I'll have you know that I'm the future Hokage, so if I want to meet your so-called Lady Miyuki," he spoke obnoxiously, trying to mimic Akira's voice, "then I will, Dattebayo!"
Akira seemed to grow red -being picked at for his less than average height was always a sore spot for him. "What did you just call me?"
"You heard me, chibi-chan." Naruto joked, learning of his sore spot and reveling in it.
They were butting heads by this point, and as they continued to mock and taunt each other, all shinobi just stood back and watched, rolling their eyes at the idiocy displayed between the two shinobi.
"So I see you have one of those on your hands too." Miyuki stifled a laugh yet again. "I must admit they are a pain to keep around."
Tsunade glanced at Miyuki momentarily before turning her eyes back on the scene, and couldn't help but allow a small smile to frame her features. "Hai. They are."
"Now now Akira-kun. Be on your best behavior in front of the highly esteemed Tsunade." Miyuki called out to Akira, beckoning him to return alongside her (he and Naruto had advanced their bickering into a small tussle of sorts, after all).
Akira stopped almost immediately, fist mid-way to collide with Naruto's already sore bump, and in an instance he was alongside Miyuki, bowing apologetically to her first, and them promptly to Tsunade. "Gomenasai, I have brought dishonor to the Otokage name. Forgive Godaime Hokage-sama."
"Wow, you've trained him well. Care to share your secret?" Tsunade could have laughed.
Miyuki smiled, but did not comment on this immediately as she began to walk towards their destination. "No sharing necessary; I can tell your shinobi is also very loyal to you."
Tsunade acknowledged this with a nod, and began walking forward once more. "So you've heard of him, then."
"Hai. Naruto Uzumaki, container of the Nine Tailed Beast." Miyuki gave a small nod. "And that there is Uchiha Sasuke, right? One of the last remaining Uchiha alive."
Tsunade turned to look at the duo, Sasuke already dragging Naruto up onto his feet and scolding him for his idiocy (to pick a fight with a kid at least four years his junior? Please). "Hai, that would be him." Tsunade confirmed.
"Hai. They are in a team run by Konoha's own Copy-Cat nin, right? Although I can't remember their teammate off the top of my head." Miyuki stated as casual as ever.
"Saki." Tsunade answered for her. "She's a recent addition to their team, so to speak."
"So to speak?" Miyuki inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, she wasn't part of their Genin team. She was a replacement after their original comrade was determined KIA."
"Determined. So her body was never found, then?" Akira seemed interested in the story, confused by Tsunade's wording.
"Unfortunately there wasn't much left to find." Tsunade shifted her eyes elsewhere. "Alas, that is the life of a shinobi."
Akira nodded, pressing no further, particularly because they had arrived at their destination, a grand looking hotel with two floors. Tsunade led them up the stairs and into the corner-most room, opening it to reveal a suite, big in space and furnished extravagantly. "Although separate rooms, there is a door connecting this room with the next if you so choose to connect them." Tsunade explained, pointing to a door to the side of the room. "There is a bathroom in each, for privacy, and two beds in each room. If you would like separate rooms, this can also be arranged though." Tsunade explained.
"Oh, no need to be troubled, Tsunade. This will do just fine -thank you for your generosity."
"Not at all." Tsunade stated. "I shall leave you all to unpack and rest if you'd so like it. If not, then I can start showing you around, if you'd like."
"If you don't mind, my shinobi are a little tired. Perhaps an hour or so rest period would suffice?" By my shinobi, she clearly meant Akira, although she didn't want to make him self-conscious of the fact that he was the only one remotely tired from their journey.
"So be it. I will have one of my shinobi come to escort you into my office in an hour, if this is to your liking. From there on there I can give you an extensive tour of Konoha."
"I am interested in seeing your hospital, Tsunade." Miyuki admitted. "You are renown across the Lands for your medical expertise; I aspire to have my own hospital rival yours in terms of efficiency, so if it would not be too much to ask I'm really interested on the matter."
Tsunade was genuinely surprised at the information. So she was a bit of a medical ninja then, something she hadn't been informed of. "Sure. That'll be the first stop on our tour then, if it so pleases you."
"That sounds perfect." Miyuki stated, walking into the kitchen and placing her Kage hat down and then removing her robe, her long blonde her flowing out freely and falling down to the midsection of her back. Tsunade was almost taken aback, not expecting for her to reveal herself so openly in front of her (in all of Jiraiya's pictures of her in Oto, she was always covered up, after all), and especially to have a diamond on her forehead similar to her own, but she didn't comment on it. "Kagami-kun, can you take my pack to the bedroom, onegai?"
"Right away, Ojou-sama." her skilled, lithe fingers gripped the pack from Sakura's hands, and with a delicate, near perfectly executed bow, she turned to find her way to the bedroom. "A bath sounds divine. I hear Konoha has great onsens. Is this true, Tsunade?"
Tsunade blinked curiously at the interaction between Miyuki and her shinobi. "Yes they are nice, lest Jiraiya is in town." she half-joked, but there was clearly some truth in her statement.
"Ahh yes, I've heard of the rumors. A sannin whose skill and prowess are rivaled only by his perverse nature." she quirked a small amused smile.
Akira's eyes seemed to widen alarmingly. "Lady Miyuki, you must not go! What if there's creeps lurking by the onsen?"
Tsunade laughed. "There's typically nothing to worry about, save Naruto, but I promise you he'll be on his best behavior. Plus, I have Sasuke assigned to him to keep him out of trouble during your stay. If you'd like, I can book us an onsen after your tour. It'd help to unwind, and you can also get to know a few more of my shinobi and staff." Tsunade stated, mostly praying her promise would be kept. How could she possibly tell her some of her best shinobi were nothing but a perverse bunch of men?
Miyuki smiled, clearly pleased. "That sounds delightful. Arigatou, Tsunade."
"No need to thank me. I'll have one of my shinobi come and get you in an hour, then." And so it had been, and Tsunade had excused herself, leaving Sakura alone with her shinobi. Truth be told, they weren't particularly tired (save for Akira, not used to traveling at the speed in which Sakura, Itachi, and Konan were), but she had wanted this time to prepare herself nonetheless.
"Konan, if you could make sure to take note of their medical advancements while we take a tour of the hospital, that would be great." Sakura merely nodded.
"Hai." Konan nodded, remaining silent about the matter she truly wanted to discuss -Naruto and Sasuke, her former team. She knew Itachi to be curious as well, but now was neither the time nor place for such matters.
"Akira-kun, you should rest up. It's been a long journey for you."
Akira seemed indignant of the fact that he seemed to be the only one in need of a nap, but he relented, and excused himself into one of the two bedrooms -they were identical, so it mattered not which he took. "Hai. Arigatou, Lady Miyuki." Truth be told, he knew she had done this for him. As he walked into the bedroom Kagami walked out, not that Akira paid too much attention to it, clearly tired and in need of a nap.
After Akira had retired to his bedroom, there was an odd sort of silence as Konan and Itachi seemed to search the place -for what wasn't apparent, although Sakura had expected it.
"The bathrooms and bedrooms are clear; no bugs." Kagami stated calmly.
"As is the kitchen and living room." Konan agreed with a nod. Sakura beckoned Itachi and Konan to her location, sitting atop a high-chair by the kitchen island. "Like I said, it's not like them to booby trap a place. You can drop the henge for now if you'd like, Itachi. You'll tire if you don't."
"Iee." Itachi shook his head slightly. "I would not be surprised if they were watching us closely now. It is better I remain in this state."
"I am likened to agree with Itachi." Konan agreed.
Sakura sighed. "If you say so." Even if she said this, she turned her gaze to stare out the window of the hotel room, a beautiful scenery of Konoha laid out before her.
A place that had been her home...
A place that had housed her for the better part of her life, and here she was a stranger to its doors; not entirely shunned but not exactly welcomed either.
"I'm going to report to Pein of our successful arrival." Konan stated before she dismissed herself into one of the two bedrooms for privacy, which left Itachi and Sakura alone to stare at their old home.
"Not much seems to have changed." Sakura stated, half in a daze as her mind began to bring her back to the past. "What do you think, Itachi?" she turned to look at him slightly.
He did not respond immediately, pondering this statement and looking from the village back to Sakura. "Iee. Everything has."
End of Chapter
So, this is where the two sequels kind of break away from the same plot. Where as the Sakura here decides to go, the Sakura in (S) decides to make them come to her. I figured this was the simplest way for the stories to break apart, and hopefully it'll make for a refreshing change for any of you who plan on reading both sequels, although I've already had numerous reviewers state that they would more than likely only read this one XD
So there's a bit of character development here for Akira, simply because I do what him to be relevant to the plot in the future. Plus I like him, I think he's adorable and resembles kind of what Konohamaru was to Naruto.
Anyway, let me know what you all thought? =] Reviews where wonderful for last chapter ^_^ Keep it up guys! More motivation = faster updates c:
Any and all feedback is much appreciated!
-MarzSpy
P.S. Check my profile for updates on what it is I am currently working on, and if you haven't already, vote on my poll to have an input on what it is I prioritize!