Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto! Only the parts that I'm adapting into the original story line.
Fated Encounter
CHAPTER 18
"Well that's frustrating." Suigetsu muttered aloud as they walked away from the pier.
They went to look for Tazuna to get the information about Zabuza's sword, but unfortunately the bridge builder had left for Lightning Country to build something with his grandchild. Suigetsu was obviously quite annoyed at first to think that they would have to go all the way there to find the needed information.
That was until Sasuke took it upon himself to ask about the sword from the man they had asked where Tazuna was. Luckily enough the guy actually knew where they needed to go to look for the Throat Cleaver. Suigetsu even looked happy at the realization that they didn't have to travel all the way to Lightning Country, and instead they had to collect more information about Daikoku Tenzei.
Apparently, he was the man to take the sword from the graves of Zabuza and Haku.
Suigetsu was even familiar with the name as he explained how Daikoku Tenzei was a close friend with the Water Country's Feudal Lord. Something had gone down with Zabuza in Kirigakure and that had caused Daikoku Tenzei to look for him. Unfortunately, Zabuza was already dead when he found the place he was residing and since he was unable to kill him, he took his sword instead.
"Now we just need to find someone who knows more about Daikoku." Sakura muttered as they walked forward.
Again, out of nowhere, the same guy that had bumped into Suigetsu ran straight into him and vehemently turned around to cuss him. But the look of sadistic happiness that was on Suigetsu's face made him flinch.
"I was looking for you!" Suigetsu said happily and the response was anything but that.
The guy turned around as quickly as he could, but Suigetsu was already onto him.
He was an easy catch and the water user dragged his body into one of the alleys. They got few suspicious looks from the people around them, but a quick look from Suigetsu send all their judging looks away.
Carelessly, Suigetsu tossed the beanie-headed guy into a pile of boxes. He was trembling from fear as he tried backing away from the three of them. If he could vanish into thin air, then that is probably what he would do at that moment.
Sakura stayed further back not liking the fact that they were going to threaten the guy for some answers. The kunai in Suigetsu's hand gleamed dangerously in the dim lighting and Sakura had to turn her back around. It wasn't that she was against forcing answers out of people, but it wasn't her kind of style. If Suigetsu and Sasuke were more comfortable with that then she was more than comfortable to let them do it.
"I just want some information about Daikoku Tenzei that's all." Suigetsu grinned as he waved the sharp weapon in his hand.
"I-I don't k-know anything about him!"
Suigetsu took a step closer and the panic in the alley was almost suffocating Sakura.
"P-please!"
"Just tell me everything you know about him."
The guy gurgled for a second before swallowing loudly, "H-he's just a politician on the outside, but that's just his facade. In reality, he leads a group of thieves!"
"Good, boy!" Suigetsu praised him mockingly. "What else do you know?"
"He bribes the Feudal Lord with a lot of money, and I heard he commits many crimes for his own sake." Sweat was covering the edge of his beanie already and some of it was dripping on to his shirt. Sakura shuddered in disgust silently and turned her head away from the guy. It was ridiculous how some people were so easy to manipulate. A little bit of fake threatening with a sharp object seemed to go far with these people.
No one had balls to try properly fight against people like Suigetsu. Yes, he was obviously super strong, but you could at least try to fight.
"So, where does he live?"
"Out in the woods he has a huge manor. It's to South from here. But the place is guarded by thousands of mercenaries and it's said that its untouchable." The guy explained more and more.
Suigetsu shared a look with Sasuke.
"That's all we need right now. You can scurry along." Suigetsu waved his kunai again right in front of his face, and the guy literally bolted.
The guy ran straight past Sakura and the smell following closely after him didn't go unnoticed by her. As Sasuke and Suigetsu turned to Sakura, she noticed the wet spot on the boxes.
"That was easy." The white-haired nin laughed.
"You made him piss himself." Sakura said with a pointed tone. "You could have given him some slack."
"What's the point in that? I like it when they sweat and think I'm going to kill them." He laughed again and Sakura shook her head annoyed. Sasuke looked uninterested put Sakura noticed the look in his eyes. He wanted to talk with her privately.
What is he planning this time, she wondered by herself.
"We should look for a place to stay the night." Sasuke finally said and began leading them out of the alley.
It didn't long for them to find an inn to stay the night. Sakura was quite happy to see that the village was doing so well after its hardships years ago. Everything was so different and vibrant compared to the place they had arrived as team 7.
Then the place had almost been empty. There was not much fresh food anywhere and it was vital that Tazuna could start building the bridge that joined the village to the outside world. The change was almost baffling. People looked much happier and even healthier.
However, an embarrassing memory flooded her as she looked through their room's window and saw little boys playing outside. Someone had grabbed her backside at the time and at first she thought it was some pervert. The place was really run down and that was the first thought that flooded her mind then. To her surprise it was a little boy who wanted food.
She was very glad that things had turned so well in the village. It was truly amazing to witness such a change.
The sun had already set a while ago and the streets were quite empty. The three boys playing were the only ones outside, and soon a female voice was shouting at them to go home. Quickly the boys scattered waving each other goodbyes.
Suigetsu's gentle snoring filled the quite large room the three of them were sharing. He was out like a light the moment his head hit the pillow. It must be quite a change from floating in a tank to actually being able to sleep on a futon. Not that she would even know how comfortable that is since she can't do that. And she wouldn't even want it in the state she was in.
Just thinking of staying in water for an entire night made her skin crawl. Showering for a few minutes was totally fine, but after a moment it drained her chakra too much. But being in water all the time, didn't it drain Suigetsu's chakra. He had to be using chakra to change his form.
She glanced at him and pursed her lips in thought.
Sasuke wasn't in the room with them. He had left to get something for her and she doubted it was food. He wasn't going to relent on her appetite at all. She almost laughed at that. They hadn't eaten much the whole day aside for the small meal at the restaurant earlier.
After less than twenty minutes, Sasuke stepped through the door to their room. He had a small package in his hands that he offered to her while sitting down cross-legged the opposite side of her.
Sakura looked inside the bag and found a small pastry.
Sasuke stared out the window as she slowly munched the thing. It was a comfortable silence and even thought Suigetsu started mumbling in his sleep, it didn't bother either of them.
"Thanks." Sakura said and brushed some of the crumbs from the shorts into the paper bag. Sasuke was observing her the whole time and waiting. Sakura knew he wanted to say something so she looked back at him with a lifted brow, "What are you thinking?"
Sasuke glanced outside the window as an old couple walked through the street and into the building next door.
"I'll be gone for a few hours."
"Where are you going?" They were speaking quietly, not wanting to wake up Suigetsu. Obviously, this was something that he wasn't supposed to hear.
"To see Daikoku Tenzei."
"You're going to test him, aren't you?" Sakura's eyes moved to Suigetsu's body.
"Hn."
Sakura rose from the floor with Sasuke.
"Just be careful. I really don't want to be alone with him if he wakes up before me." Who knows what was going through Suigetsu's head. He seemed had come to terms with the fact that he wasn't allowed to touch her, but she didn't want to risk it at all. And Sakura was sure that Sasuke's presence would stop him from doing anything stupid.
"You won't even notice that I'm gone." Sasuke replied softly and pulled Sakura to one of the two free futons.
They easily both laid on the same one and Sasuke pulled the blanket on top of them.
Sakura inched her body closer to Sasuke and snuggled her head under his chin. Sasuke's arm wrapped around her waist as she listened to the soft inhales and exhales of his breathing.
It was quite chilly in the room with the window open, but Sasuke's warmth once again surrounded her. Combined with the blanket on top of her, she felt more than comfortable even if the surroundings weren't familiar at all. The room wasn't even close as dark as Orochimaru's hideout was during the night and it was a welcomed change.
And the fact that no one was screaming from some unknown place in the middle of the night was an added bonus.
Gently Sasuke's fingers first played with the hem of her shirt until they slipped under the fabric. Sakura's body trembled involuntarily with her foggy mind very much pleased with the sensations. His fingers tickled her lower back with soft circles and eventually brushing.
Sakura's tired mind figured that even Sasuke was getting somewhat tired. His movements were much more uncoordinated, but he wanted to wait until she had fallen asleep. It was quite touching to be honest. He wanted to make sure that she was well unaware of his presence not being there. Eventually, if she had to sleep alone it would take time getting used to it.
Once your mind and body got used to someone being so close to you while you were in the dream lands, it wasn't that easy to just fall asleep alone. Not to mention that Sakura was a very cold person while asleep. Her body felt chilled easily and Sasuke's body heat only made things much more comfortable for her. Without him she would likely need two or three blankets over her.
And with ease Sakura's mind slipped into blackness.
Suigetsu was excited the whole morning. He barely even ate anything for breakfast before he was bowling through the door. Sasuke, however, was very stick that they eat something which surprised the water ninja.
For the whole time, Sasuke's been very laid back and calm, but Sakura knew he was only looking out for her. Suigetsu had pouted childishly and mumbling something inaudible while sitting down on the table. Sakura was still eating the small bowl of rice and miso soup.
Suigetsu had ordered the same yogurt that he had yesterday, but this time only are half of one. That is until Sasuke forced him to sit back down and finish his food calmly. It wasn't like Daikoku Tenzei was going to disappear into thin air.
To Sakura's pleasure, even Sasuke was eating a proper breakfast with rise, fish and added tomatoes. It pleased her to see him eat properly after such a long time. It wasn't that Sasuke was getting thin or anything. He was actually quite nicely build with muscles developing slowly.
Sasuke had been right last night about her not even realizing he was gone. When she finally woke up that morning with sun shining through the open window, Sasuke was on the futon behind her. It felt like he hadn't left at all. The only difference was that he had taken his shirt off this time.
"I just wanna get going." Suigetsu whined and took another scoop from his yogurt.
"Calm down, we'll get your sword." Sakura said back and focused back on her food.
After they were done, Suigetsu was over the moon and almost ran ahead to Daikoku Tenzei's home. Sakura and Sasuke followed close by and eventually found Suigetsu on top of a cliff watching over the yard to their target's home.
A large group of men on horses were riding in the forest with weapons strapped on their bodies. Those had to be the mercenaries the guy was talking about. But why were there so many.
"What the heck is going on?" Suigetsu mumbled loudly as another patrol ran under the cliff.
"I think another Feudal Lord is planning on attacking him." Sasuke replied casually. Sakura doubted that another Feudal Lord was planning on attacking, this had to be the outcome of Sasuke's nightly adventure to see Daikoku Tenzei. Sasuke had probably warned the man of the upcoming invasion.
"Eh!? Really! This will only make things harder. He's much more aware of things and ready attack." Suigetsu said and got up from his lowered position. "Luckily for a ninja like me this does really nothing to stop me from getting what rightfully belongs to me."
"Why don't we make a bet." Sasuke said seriously while walking closer to Suigetsu with a better out look of the massive sized house that was Daikoku Tenzei's home.
"A bet?"
"Let's see who will be the first one to get their hands on the sword."
Suigetsu's eyes flashed with joy as he laughed, "I didn't know you had such a playful mind! Let's do it! It'll be so much fun!"
Sakura felt like shaking her head with annoyance. How can a guy his age sound like an excited child. But who is she to stop anyone's fun.
Suddenly Suigetsu's eyes flashed to Sakura, "What about, Pinky? Will you participate?"
"I'll be the referee." She said instantly. She had no idea what Sasuke was planning so she much rather stayed in the sidelines with this one.
"I'll start now, then." Sasuke said seriously already facing the house. "There's only one rule though. Don't kill a single person."
Suigetsu's jaw dropped from surprise.
"What?!" He yelled as Sasuke disappeared.
Sakura shrugged her shoulders at Suigetsu before going down the cliff to get a better position for herself.
Sasuke was already in the middle of a group of mercenaries that looked baffled.
"Who the hell are you!?" One yelled and charger towards him. Easily Sasuke jumped up in the air and kicked the guy down from his horse and easily landing on top of the horse. The horse whined as it turned back around galloping towards its fallen rider.
At that point, everyone else where charging at him with their own swords and weapons drawn out. Sakura couldn't help but admire the way Sasuke's body moved so easily knocking everyone out. No one was moving at the end of the fight except Sasuke as they were knocked out cold.
Suigetsu had landed right next to Sakura.
"H-he really meant right now..."
Sakura walked after Sasuke and soon Suigetsu was jogging after them.
"I'm still not going to lose this bet." He said adamantly as they walked towards the gates together.
It was few hundred feet away from the gates when a large mass of black arrows flew from behind the walls. The confident look from Suigetsu' face gad dropped as he took a step back with caution. Sasuke had already inhaled as the arrows came closer, "Gaton: Goukakyuu no jutsu!" and a large fire ball erupted from his mouth as he exhaled.
All the arrows burned to ashes and Suigetsu once again looked excited as a child.
"Woah! That's what I'm talking about, Sasuke!" He looked to his left and no one was there. "Wait, you... you vanished!" He yelled loudly with annoyance.
His cries of anger were drowned by a loud war cry as the gates to the house opened and thousands of mercenaries ran towards him.
"Are you kidding me!" Suigetsu gritted his teeth and positioned himself better. Soon he was charging at the group of men with ease and keeping Sasuke's rule in mind.
But instead of going through with his bet, Sasuke had not invaded the house yet. He had perched him and Sakura on a tree quite far away from the house to watch over Suigetsu as he battled his way through the mass. Sasuke had grabbed Sakura the moment he was done with the arrows, pulling her in to air with him and landing on the tree branch.
For a lack of better word, Sakura was impressed. Suigetsu was a very skilled shinobi, who knew how to fight. He easily kicked and punched the mercenaries with such talent that no one would be believe he had stayed in a water tank for who knows how long. The men attacking him were slowly falling down unconscious. One could even barely see Suigetsu's movements, but Sakura had gotten used to Sasuke's speed.
It was hard to keep up with them both, but once you got used to it, it was very easy.
Suigetsu made it look really easy. He made his way through the courtyard and into the building quickly while taking care of the attackers.
Sasuke and Sakura followed him until he disappeared inside. As they waited downstairs for Suigetsu to find his sword a lot of commotion and a loud crack bellowed from there. Now that they weren't able to see what was going on, Sakura felt nervous.
But as the loud commotion was turned into words and people just talking, Sasuke decided it was better to see what was going on. Sakura followed calmly after Sasuke as they walked up the stairs and Sakura's eyes landed instantly on Suigetsu's arm that had grown in size. It had to be at least three to four times its original size. And his hand was laid on top of Zabuza's massive sword while another person was holding it.
The guy holding the sword mostly was massive. Sakura could barely even reach his chest, and to think that she thought Sasuke and Suigetsu were tall.
Behind Suigetsu and the guy was an older man pointing his finger at Sasuke. He had sweat coating his face as he looked horrified.
"You're the guy from last night!" He shouted. "He killed Zabuza!"
Suigetsu started laughing his heart out, "Like I care who killed Zabuza! We weren't that close."
Suigetsu wrapped his fingers tightly around the hilt of Zabuza's Throat Cleaver and pulled it towards him while lifting the massive guy up in the air. The guy held on, but as Suigetsu flung the sword back to front he went flying off the hilt. There was a large whole on the wall and Suigetsu easily threw the guy right out of it.
"And to think that a lowly bunch like you could have beaten me. The rumors that that would have created..." Suigetsu mused by himself.
Easily once again, Suigetsu maneuvered the huge sword and pointed it directly at the older man.
He had to be Daikoku Tenzei. All the golden jewelry and the expensive clothes were indication that he had to be the man they were looking for. And it seems that Sasuke had really paid a visit to him last night.
Suigetsu's eyes lowered as he stared passively at Daikoku, "Maybe I should try this sword on you?" His tone was chilling.
"Cut it out." Sasuke drawled from the sidelines. "What do you think is going to happen if you cut him?"
Suigetsu tilted his head and moved his arm. At first Sakura thought he was actually going to kill the guy, but Daikoku ducked quickly when Suigetsu swung his sword. And instead of targeting the older man the cut through all four huge columns with ease.
"It would be wise to leave the place quickly. I just cut the central pillar to the house." Suigetsu explained with a grin. "I will only leave you alive because of Sasuke's request."
Suigetsu began leading them out of the upper level and down the stairs.
"Sasuke?" Sakura heard the man mumble, "No way! The Sasuke, who killed Orochimaru!?"
"Eh, to think that word spreads this fast. You're becoming quite the celebrity, Sasuke." Suigetsu said with a laugh.
Here is another chapter! Hopefully you guys like it!
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Some of you guys seem to be worried that Sakura will be weak in this story. That is certainly not going to be the case. You need to think that she's (in a way) injured right now and trying to get the hang of her new abilities. She's still Tsunade's apprentice with amazing medical talent and chakra control. And let's not forget her super inhuman strength. You WILL see a strong and powerful Sakura later in this story.
I just don't want to hurry it too much because it would be pointless because of story progression. But I promise, we will see Sakura in action. She is not a weakling in this story. :D
Thanks guys for your lovely comments! It was nice to know that I'm not the only one battling against the worst flu in history. I still have tiny cough, but luckily that doesn't hinder me much.
Either in next chapter or chapter 20 we will see Karin again. And some Suigetsu and Karin action because let's be honest, we need someone to show some sort of discipline to Suigetsu. Sakura would be a good one at that, but let's just leave that part to Karin, because we all know she just loves bashing him in the head. :D
Leave a review! They motivate me and make my day a lot better!
Also huge thanks for everyone who has favorited and followed this story! It's nice to see how many people like to ready this.
- Jakura
ps. I've been having this idea running through my mind. A SasuSaku story (obviously) that is middle ages/fantasy/romance type of thing. Would you guys be interested?