Chapter 2: Tsuba
They were only a day away from Tsuba, and both Sasuke and Sakura wondered how they hadn't killed Naruto yet. The blonde hothead seemed incapable of staying silent, no matter the amount of times he was yelled at or hit. What they found even more incredible was Danjo's seemingly infinite reserve of patience. Nothing seemed to bother him, not even Naruto's constant blabbering.
Finally, Sakura grew tired of Naruto's hiperactiveness and packed him a gigantic punch that effectively knocked him out. They then realized that the sun was setting, so they began to set camp for the night.
The rather loud cracking of firewood easily awoke Sasuke, who jumped into a battle stance. Sensing no threat he took in his surroundings. Sakura was still asleep under a tree, her back facing him. A bit further away he saw Naruto, who looked like he was about to fall off the tree branch he was sleeping on. Sasuke scoffed, those two were hopeless. A little further to his left sat Danjo, wide awake, looking straight at him and giving him a curious look.
-A bad dream, Sasuke-san?- The priest asked.
Sasuke sighed as he relaxed his posture –It wasn't a dream- he said.
Danjo looked at the spot next to him, an unspoken invitation to sit there. Sasuke obliged.
-What was it, then?- Danjo looked at him –A memory, perhaps?- Sasuke looked at him.
-One I wish had never happened- Had he met the priest a couple of years earlier he would've told him it was none of his goddamn business. But time changed him. She had changed him. He continued –The night she died- His voice cracked a bit.
Danjo gave him a reassuring look and placed a hand on his shoulder, in his eyes an invitation to continue, though he didn't ask questions, knowing it to be a sensitive topic. Sasuke took a deep breath –She was the one who was there when no one else was. She was the only one who understood, who didn't ask any questions. She was the closest friend I ever had- The Uchiha ran a hand through his black hair as his face went back to its usual seriousness. He wasn't about to break down in front of a stranger, or anyone who wasn't her.
The priest looked at him with a sad smile –You shouldn't mourn her any longer, Uchiha-san- Sasuke turned to him abruptly –It would make her sad, don't you think?- Sasuke sighed. Danjo was right. –Also, you should know that life if full of surprises, and you might find out that after such sadness and despair there's always something good coming on.-
Danjo's words rang in his mind as he tried to go back to sleep. He couldn't help but feel that there was more to that phrase than giving some sort of comfort. Or maybe he was just overthinking things.
-Oww, Sakura-chan, why did you have to hit me so hard yesterday?- Naruto whined as he rubbed his head –Now my head hurts really bad- He was rewarded by another whack in the head courtesy of the pink haired medic.
-Shut up, Naruto!- Sakura yelled –If you weren't so annoying I wouldn't have hit you!-
-Why do you have to be so cruel?!- Naruto complained.
-Why do you have to be so stupid?!- Sakura retorted.
Sasuke's patience was wearing thin. He honestly couldn't believe he had once been friends with those two. –Shut up, you two. You're annoying- He said. Sakura immediately obeyed him with a sad look. Naruto, on the other hand, yelled some more
-What did you say, Teme? Who are you to tell me to shut up?- Naruto exclaimed as loudly as he could muster without yelling. Sasuke's eyebrow twitched, his anger increasing with each word that came out of the blonde ninja. He was about to give a smartass answer when Danjo interrupted.
-Should we stop for lunch?- He offered a kind smile –I am guessing your foul moods are partly due to hunger- Team 7 gave him a weird look and as if on cue, a loud grumbling was heard, making them blush.
Naruto brought a hand to scratch the back of his neck –Heh heh…I guess we are indeed hungry- He looked at his teammates –Let's fix ourselves something to eat, guys!-
Sasuke and Sakura couldn't help but nod. It was one of the very few times when they actually agreed on something.
They decided on roasted fish, which they got from a nearby river. They sat around the bonfire they made and ate quickly before resuming their trip.
As the hours passed and the sun began to set, they saw the dim lights of torches, which signaled they were close to Tsuba. When they finally reached the lights, they found it was just a couple of torches hanging from trees.
Naruto found this odd and spoke up –Danjo-san, where is the village? I only see torches and no village!- he exclaimed.
Danjo just looked at him and smiled –These torches are just a reminder for the townspeople that Tsuba is just a bit further- He stopped walking, and pointed at thin path that diverged from the main road –Tsuba's main entrance is kept secret from outsiders for security reasons, therefore we will go through another entrance- the priest said as he lead team 7 through the small cobble path.
Team 7 immediately understood the message, they were not trusted, even though they had been hired for protection. They didn't say anything, though, respecting the priest's decision, and followed him through the small path in the woods.
As they walked the forest became thicker and they got closer and closer to the mountains. After about fifteen minutes of walking, Naruto's impatience made an act.
-Danjo-san! How long until we get there?! I wanna eat ramen!- He complained. Danjo stopped walking and turned around to face him.
-We are almost there- he said and pointed at a small cave in front of them –this cave will lead us to the village- Danjo smiled –just a bit longer and we will be there-
Naruto sighed with relief. Sasuke and Sakura just looked at him and followed the priest into the cave.
The cave was well lit, with torches stuck on the walls. It reeked of humidity, which told team 7 that they must be near some body of water. Soon, they stopped in front of a lake, in its greenish water floated several bouquets of herbs, which gave off a nice, soothing aroma. Two small huts were next to it. Danjo turned to his bodyguards.
-Is any of you unable to swim?- the priest asked. They shook their heads. Danjo nodded at them –Good, because we will have to dive through the lake!-
Sakira looked at Danjo –That is the entrance to the village?- she asked
Danjo nodded –It is, now, let's get going- he then proceeded to jump into the lake, team 7 following shortly behind.
The dive was quite short, and soon they were out of the water. They were surprised when their drenched bodies dried up almost as soon as they left the lake.
-Wow!- Naruto exclaimed –What happened? How did we dry so fast?- he asked
Danjo looked at the lake –This lake has cleansing properties- he said, looking in its greenish water –It absorbs all negativity away from you, thus cleansing your soul. Once its purpose is met, it will evaporate- he explained as he lead team 7 out of the room they had emerged into.
After walking out of the room, team 7 found themselves following Danjo through what seemed to be a shrine.
Naruto, already tired of all the mysteriousness and secrecy, yelled out –What's with all the mystery? Why do we have to go through- - Danjo raised his hand, effectively shutting him up. He signaled the scenery, and team 7 let out a gasp. They were on top of a hill, and they could clearly see the whole village.
The village was in a huge valley, surrounded by tall mountains and waterfalls and woods. The village was neatly organized into sectors divided by small rivers and connected by bridges. In the middle of all stood a tall tower, with a big red sign, the word Tsuba encased in golden letters. It was a truly magnificent sight.
-Here we are- he said as he gave them a smile – Welcome to Tsuba, the village of priests-
Sakura looked at it with wide eyes –It is a very beautiful place, Danjo-san- Sakura said. Naruto and Sasuke couldn't help but agree. The village looked so peaceful, like it had been untouched by wars.
-It is very beautiful indeed- Danjo agreed –Now, let us go to my house, you will be my guests during your stay-
Sasuke looked at him and bowed politely –Thank you for your kindness, Danjo-san- the priest laughed and shrugged it off.
-It is no problem- he said as he led the way to his house –Now, let's hurry, I bet you must be hungry- a loud growl was all he needed to hear as a confirmation
Soon, they were standing in front of the gates of what looked like a mansion, where they were greeted by an elderly woman.
-Welcome home, Danjo-sama- she bowed respectfully to the priest and then turned to meet team 7 –I believe we will be having guests?- she smiled
Danjo replied –Thank you, Hoshiko-san. Yes, these are my bodyguards for now. They will be staying with us.
-I see- Hoshiko replied, her expression suddenly serious. Danjo put a hand on her shoulder, attempting to calm her down. Hoshiko had a tendency to worry too much about him.
-Worry not, Hoshiko-san. I will be fine- he said. Hoshiko smiled at him
-Very well. I will send Yuki-chan to arrange rooms for our guests while I serve dinner- she said and looked at team 7 –You must all be famished. You may call me Hoshiko if you like- Danjo gasped and scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile dancing on his lips.
-Where are my manners? Naruto-san, Sakura-san, Sasuke-san, as she already told you, her name is Hoshiko. She is the head housekeeper. If you need anything go to her- he then turned to Hoshiko –Hoshiko-san, these are Uzumaki Naruto-san, Haruno Sakura-san, and Uchiha Sasuke-san-
Hoshiko bowed to them –It is a pleasure to have you as guests- she said, with a warm, motherly smile.
Team 7 bowed back politely, and then a loud rumbling erupted from Naruto's stomach.
-Heh heh! Now, anyone said anything about supper?- Hoshiko laughed at the boy
-Yes, please follow me to the dining room. I am sure you will love tonight's dinner, as it was prepared by Oboro-sama-
-OH! Oboro-chan made food today?- Danjo jumped a bit in happiness
-Unfortunately, Oboro-sama has retired for the night. She said she will be gone for the week to practice for her performance next week- Hoshiko said as she led Danjo and his guests to the dining room, and motioned for them to sit.
Danjo sighed –That Oboro-chan, always so secretive-
Naruto looked at him questioningly –Who's Oboro?-
-She is my daughter- Danjo answered proudly as multiple dishes were set on front of them –and we get to eat her delicious food!-
Naruto laughed.
Soon, they were eating. True to Danjo's and Hoshiko's word, the food was indeed delicious.
A wave of nostalgia flooded Naruto's thoughts.
-This food reminds me… Of her…- Naruto said sadly. He opened his mouth to speak again but was cut off by Sasuke, who had suddenly stood up. Everyone turned to look at him.
-You have no right to mention her- Sasuke seethed through clenched teeth. He then turned to look at Hoshiko –Thank you for the food, Hoshiko-san. Would you please guide me to my assigned room? I wish to retire for the night- he asked the old lady as politely as he could manage. Just as they were leaving the dining room Sakura stood up and grabbed Sasuke's arm.
–What is wrong with you, Sasuke-kun?- Sakura asked, her green eyes wide with concern. Sasuke scoffed and tore his arm away from his grasp.
-Do not touch me, Sakura- he warned. You disgust me, he wanted to say, but he did not wish to make a bigger scene than he already had, so he opted for a brief good night and swift exit.
A tense silence remained in the dining room. Naruto was grabbing his chopsticks so hard they were about to snap. He had his face down, his hair concealing his expression. Sakura, on the other hand, was close to tears. Danjo just sat quietly, wondering what he could do to help remedy the situation. Deep inside, though, he knew that the bonds that used to tie these three people had been severed and were way beyond repair.
At least for one of them.
Life is full of surprises, he thought, and they are sure up for a big one.
The rest of the dinner went on in silence.
Hi, hi, hi!
I started this story and have yet to introduce myself!
I'm M. L Discordia, or Eris for short.
I have had this story in mind for a couple of months now.
This is my first time writing fanfiction, so I would greatly appreciate constructive criticism and reviews!
I do not have a specific upload schedule, so the next chapter might take a while.
Thanks for reading :)
M. L. Discordia