Chapter Four
Last time Lord Uchiha sent out sprites to investigate the women that spark interest within both Naruto and Sasuke. Once within the realm of mortals the sprites found both Sakura and Hinata but remained hidden for their sake. However, once Tsunade was made aware of their mission, she ordered one of the sprites to call an emergency meeting with the grand council hoping to find another solution to Sakura's and Hinata's powers which appears to be on a time clock for emerging. Now let's join Tsunade as she tries to calmly speak with the bane of her existence.
The sound of feet clicking on the floor along with casual chatter could be heard up and down the hall as both staff and patient went about their daily lives. The smell of disinfectant and medicine was the norm for all walking in the hall unaware of the deadly aura coming from the very office of the hospital head. Many of the staff knew that on days when no sound was heard from within the doors of the hospital head it either meant doom for all or the lose of one. And they couldn't be closer to the truth. Within the darken room, two women and a pair of sprites stood a few feet and gazed within a sphere that held none other than Lord Uchiha himself. The group would have stood closer if not for the menacing aura radiating off Tsunade. On the surface one could not tell the raging emotions that swirled within Tsunade. However any creature of low level magic could feel the fury of Tsunade's power as she glared at the man before her in the sphere. It seems that Tsunade's displeasure for the man only escalated as said man showed signs of no remorse guilt for his actions. It was the biggest flaw that the clan had in Tsunade's opinion and it was a flaw that they refused to acknowledge. Tsunade however didn't give a damn about the Uchiha arrogance, all she wanted was answers as to what was going on. And if blood were to be spilled than the gods be damned she would do so if it meant getting answers.
"You can glare at me all you wish, it won't change was has begun Tsunade. Those girls being exposed to magic sometime in their lives was going to happen. And you shouldn't judge me since you're at fault as well. Keeping their powers a secret for so long and not telling the elders the moment it became a problem." Lord Uchiha thanked the heavens that he was within his own home instead of in the same room as Tsunade for he knew that he would truly lose a limb right now.
"Don't give me that crap, Uchiha. Even if their powers weren't a threat, the chances of me telling you or the elders are as slim as your wife agreeing to dye her hair emerald green. And if you remember correctly, your wife refuses to dye her hair after the little incident that involved the boys coloring their hair," Tsunade heard a miserable groan come from the sphere via the Elder Uchiha and knew she had won this round of many.
"I'm very much aware of that, but the fact remains that you kept those girls hidden from the magic council for years, had Naruto and Sasuke not discovered them and their dormant magic this situation would be worse. And when I mean worse milady, I mean Ruby Knights worse."
"Don't get me started with those guys, I'm surprised your eldest managed to keep his head with those guys when he served his two years with them. But that aside, the main reason why I didn't tell anyone in the council about those two was mainly I thought I had more time before their powers emerged and became a threat to them. I had originally calculated for two more years. But fate is against me it would seem." Tsunade saw confusion mar the Uchiha's face and decided to tell the man what she knew.
"Lord Uchiha you must understand that as magistrate of magic for this realm my job is to foresee the growth and progress of every creature of this realm, be they magical or not. And the two things in this realm that have I vowed to protect are those two girls. As young girls they had no knowledge of their true origins or what power they can wield. And their mothers, may they rest in peace, vowed to protect them from the horrors of living a life of magic. If you remember correctly the Hunter incident that befell the magical realm over two hundred years ago that brought about the need for magical magistrates, the council and the king of magic," Tsunade saw understanding within the elder Uchiha's eyes and knew of the incident she spoke of.
Two hundred years ago, a battle like no other took place that cost the lives of many, magical and mortal. Years ago hunters brought about the battle to end all battles that would have marked the end of all magical creatures had it not been for the clan of Yoko. While they were fox demons they brought and end to the seeming endless bloodshed and they were named the rulers of the magical realm. The hunters however were brought before not just the magical council but the grand council of the mortal realm to answer to their crimes. As it turned out, the attack was brought about by years of hatred and malice drilled into their heads by countless generations of hunter heads.
"I'm very verse on the history of why the council came to be Tsunade, the fact of the matter is that you hid those girls and their powers are going to become problematic should something happen. And my youngest son seeing your favorite pupil not being factored into that category." Lord Uchiha didn't miss the murderous glare that was sent his way at the mention of his youngest son and his budding interest in this girl.
"Aside from your baby boy not knowing when to mind his own busisness when it regards my student is beside the point. But know this Lord Uchiha, if that boy of yours does anything to break my girl's heart, I will personally send you and your wife your son back to you in pieces."
A chuckle was heard within the room followed by the one voice Tsunade was hoping to avoid for another few weeks.
"Interesting way to say, 'touch her and die' Tsunade. Although I'm not surprised that your girl caught the attention of that boy. Then again I'm surprised that Sasuke's behaved himself," From the shadowed corner appeared the one man Tsunade wished to decapitate where he stood, Jiraiya the mage.
"And I find it interesting that you have the balls to sneak into my office after your little stunt last year that resulted in you not only being slapped by Dasher at the Christmas party but resulted in me breaking a good third of the bones in your body after." The chuckle Tsunade heard did nothing to quell her fury as the foolish Jiraiya came forward.
"Now even after a beating like that do you really think I could stay away. Besides I'm here on official business anyway. By which I mean my student Naruto called me about an imp working with a hunter. Now since I know for a fact that the brat doesn't call me for no reason I take it this must be serious. Now before we talk about this hunter running amuck, perhaps you better fill me in on this girl that's of great importance to my dearest Tsunade." Jiraiya pulled a chair closer and wasn't surprised by the grim look on Tsunade's face. So while Tsunade continued her private meeting with the banes of her exsitance, Sasuke was at the moment heading to the hospital to meet with Sakura for lunch. As for Sakura's location, she was at the moment talking to one of the neurologist to find out the reason for her sudden headaches.
"So you think its stress that's causing this, nothing serious?" Sakura observed Dr. Wong the head Neurologist as he reviewed Sakura's charts and just smiled.
"Sakura I assure you, your head is fine. The headaches you've been having and the ringing in your ears, could be the result of immense stress, the machinery of the hospital or lack of sleep. And I'm not surprised to say the least. The holidays seem to be our busy season; from guys trying to patch up their rooves in time for the winter snow, to the brave souls who hit the malls every year when they have that big blowout sale for the holidays, to kids trying to help dad with the work and end up with a broken limb while dad ends up with a few lumps thanks to the misses. And I don't want to mention the 'Black Friday' ward. That wing doubles in patients each year." Dr. Wong didn't miss the shudder that rocked Sakura's body. After watching the news each year and seeing how crazy the people got for deals that were outrageous to even her, Sakura wondered what most of her patients were thinking braving that madness.
"I know what you mean Dr. Wong but like you said this is our busy season. And I can't take off when the kids need someone to comfort them and explain what this procedure does or what this medicine is for. But maybe your right, maybe I'm stressed but what can I do? I can't just take off when the hospital needs me."
"Maybe I can help with that," Both Sakura and Dr. Wong turned to the door to see Sasuke standing before them with a smile on his face.
"Sasuke-san, what are you doing here?"
"I'm actually here to see if you wanted to have lunch with me. And ask if you wanted to spend some time with me this weekend? I apologize for eavesdropping on your conversation by the way." Sasuke held out his hand and grasped Sakura's hand, pulling her into his embrace.
"No, I would love to have lunch with you, but why this weekend though? Not that I mind spending time with you that is, I mean," A deep chuckle from behind Sakura brought the stumbling girl back to reality causing a deep blush to stain her cheeks.
"Actually Sakura, spending your weekends relaxing would be good for you. I know for a fact that you take extra hours on the weekend when others can't make it, and it might be the solution to help ease your headaches." A dismissive look appeared on Sakura's face as she had to make a tough decision. If she did take the weekend off, she would be short for rent that was coming up but on the other hand she really wanted to spend time with Sasuke. He made her calm and forget her problems. But the looming rent was the one thing that was nagging at the back of her mind until Sasuke interrupted her thought process.
"Sakura why don't we have lunch first and then we talk about this weekend. Maybe some food would help ease your mind," Sasuke then lead Sakura to a local café that was next to the hospital.
Once there and their food was ordered Sasuke turned to Sakura and began to explain why he wanted to see her.
"Sakura there's another reason why I wanted to see you this weekend. It would seem that there;s some trouble brewing and I wished to know if anything has happened since last weekend. I ask not for myself but on my brother's behalf." Sasuke saw the surprised look upon Sakura's face at the mention of his older brother. While it wasn't a complete lie, Sasuke just didn't want to tell her the real reason why his brother wished to she her.
"Your brother? You mean the one that was tracking your friend Naruto's phone to track him down? Why does he want to see me?" Sakura was worried that something terrible had happened but Sasuke's gentle smile told her otherwise.
" There's nothing to be worried about. My brother just wants a statement on a case involving trained birds stealing items from around your neighborhood. It would seem Naruto wasn't the only victim and my brother wishes for you to tell him all that you know like describe anything odd about the birds that you or your neighbors might have noticed. I also wished to get to know you more Sakura. And I was hoping to take you out after your talk with my brother." Sasuke didn't miss the rosy blush that appeared on Sakura's face as he just flat out asked her out on a date.
"Sasuke I would love to go out with you, really I would but," Sasuke noticed the dismal look within Sakura's eyes turning her emerald eyes a dull shade of green that sent a chill down his spine. Sasuke knew that Sakura had a lot on her mind, her powers slowly rising to the surface made him worry. The sheer fact that this wonderful person had no knowledge of the power she held made Sasuke protective of her in a manner that confused him. No woman besides his mother had this effect on him and Sasuke had no idea why. But before Sasuke could get his answer, a frantic blonde appeared before them looking as if someone had died.
"Sakura there you are! I've been looking all over for you," Ino stomped their way and once she was a few feet in front of them glared at them or so Sakura thought she was glaring at her. In truth Ino was glaring at Sasuke and once Sakura was out of earshot she had a few choice words for the sly Uchiha, but that could wait.
"Ino what happened? Did something happen to the kids, Ms. Tia, what?" Sakura stood in front of her friend hoping that nothing ill had happened to her paitients.
"No, I got a call from Hinata, she's a hysterical mess. She got a call while she was at work from your landlord. And I think you need to head home and fast." No sooner had Ino said those words Sakura made a dash for the hospital to get her things and head home hoping the worst was what she was expecting.
Once Sakura was out of sight, Ino turned her furious gazed to the one person she had hoped never to see again.
"You lousy, silver-tongued snake what charm have you put on her to make her fall for you?" Ino's fury was to the boiling point and the sheer thought of Sasuke charming her friend with his magic furthered angered her. The winter plants that grew on the windowsill of the café began to react to Ino's fury as her magic began to seep out of control.
"I assure you that no charm was used on your friend Ino. What your friend feels are her own feelings and I'd mind your powers if I were you Ino. It seems that your anger affects all plant life around you." Sasuke kept a calm face as the woman before him burned holes into his being with her fury.
"I find that hard to believe, but I'll let that go for the time being and let you live. Lady Tsunade has already called dibs on killing you anyway if anything happens to Sakura. I suppose we have both you and that fool fox king to thank for the sprites watching over them right now curtesy of your father." Ino didn't miss the groan that erupted from Sasuke knowing that his father, while trying hard to respect his son's wishes along with Naruto's had no idea of what he'd just done.
"Judging by the groan, you didn't know what your father did?" Ino's eyes held determination and a steady anger that was slowly going away.
"And as I hate to admit it Ino, your correct I didn't know of my father's actions. I requested that he proceed with caution with both Sakura and her friend Hinata since their powers could bloom by means of stress or panic. While I'm happy my father respected my request, I wish he didn't use sprites since they tend to be overly helpful even in the simplest of task." Sasuke saw the waiter return with their order and ask for to-go boxes as he had to quickly catch up with Sakura.
Meanwhile Naruto was on his way to meet Hinata to spend the day with her. It's not that the king of all magical creatures didn't have anything to do, the issue was that Naruto had this sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach that something was wrong. Before Naruto left the palace, he informed both Sasuke's mother and father and requested to be ready for just about anything before he left. As Naruto made his way closer to Hinata's home the luminous red and blue of lights caught his eye and his legs pushed him further up the block until Hinata was in sight. Once Naruto was close and saw with his own eyes what had happened, the ancient demonic blood within his veins boiled with vengeful fury. Before Naruto could strike the fist person for answers, a shattered voice broke through his blood-soaked mind.
"Naruto-kun?" Naruto turned to see Hinata sitting on the ground, sorrowful tears ran streams down her face with what had happened. And seeing Hinata in this manner filled Naruto with such possessive rage that before anything happened that he would regret, Naruto pulled the shaken girl into his arms and held her in his embrace. Once Hinata was in his arms, Naruto felt the fragile girl shatter and pour her heart out. Naruto to reassure Hinata and to keep his sanity began to rub Hinata's hair as to soothe her.
"Hinata, it's going to be alright. Just tell me what happened," Naruto felt Hinata lift her head and gaze into his blue eyes before calming down slightly. The tears continued to run down her face but Hinata was able to tell Naruto what happened.
"I was at work when this happen, in the middle of my sift, when two police officers came into the diner. I thought they were just here for the lunch rush since the diner usually gets police, doctors, EMT's and what not in around this time. But when they approached me they informed me that someone had broken into my home. As soon as I heard those words I ran home and once I arrived home, I saw the extent of…of…of…," Hinata couldn't finish and Naruto knew that this was too much for her and just held her until her fragile figure cede shaking with fear. Unknown to Hinata, Naruto's nose picked up the scent of several unknown scents within this home that he knew all too well and made a mental note to track them down later. Before Naruto could do anything else, an anxious voice was heard from the crowd and Naruto saw a familiar pink haired woman heading their way and it was no surprise that a dark-haired figure followed.
"Hinata! Thank God you're okay. What happened…," Sakura turned to see the damaged the was upon their home.
"Who would do this?" As Sakura wondered who was responsible for this crime, a jacket was placed upon her shoulders as if to shield her from this horrifying situation. Sakura turned to see Sasuke behind and fell into his arms since for the first time, Sakura had no idea what to do.
As both Naruto and Sasuke held Hinata and Sakura in their arms as the officers blocked off the area from bystanders trying to figure out what was going on. While the officers pushed the people back and kept the media at bay, two figures emerged from the crowd and made their way to both Sasuke and Naruto.
"I thought it odd that you weren't at the café like you said but now I understand your absence little brother." Naruto and Sasuke turned and gazed at Sasuke's older brother Itachi and to their surprise a trusted friend of both their families, their former teacher Kakashi.
"Sorry to worry you brother, but as you can see our meeting was cut short by," Sasuke motioned at the ransacked house before tightening his hold on Sakura. Itachi could tell that once Sasuke found the ones responsible for this crime, heads would roll.
"I see and it looks like it's time for us to get to work, wouldn't you agree sempai?" Itachi turned to Kakashi who nodded in agreement. Itachi then turned to both girls who found shelter within Naruto and Sasuke and saw a strange aura appear around them that surprised him. And surprising Itachi was a feet that no one could accomplish.
"I take it that you two are the victims, my name is Itachi Uchiha and this is my superior, Kakashi. The one with pink hair being held by my baby brother must be Sakura and you must be Hinata." A gentle understanding smile appeared on Itachi's face as both girls stared in confusion at the man.
"Don't be alarmed, both Naruto and my brother told me about the both of you and while I was eager to meet both of you, I had hoped that it would be on better terms. A crime scene is not the best place for a first meeting." Itachi then pulled out a note book and was about to start asking questions when Itachi saw something unusual within the window that no one could see without magic.
"Kakashi could you question both miss Sakura and miss Hinata and gather any information that might help, I need to talk to Sasuke in private for a few minutes. Naruto, you stay with both girls, this won't take long." Before Sasuke could protest, he was dragged to the other side of the house where the media and the neighbors couldn't see them.
"Before you chew me out little brother, I think there's something you should know, a while ago I noticed some sort of magic on the window of this place that caught my attention." Itachi noticed the fury disperse from within his eyes at the mention of magic upon the windows.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke composed himself and followed his bother through a portal into the house while concealing themselves so none of the police were aware of their presence.
"This was no random act of violence brother. Someone wants these girls to remain miserable and it appears that this person just happens to work for a certain snake that father has been looking for." Itachi then turned to the window and showed Sasuke what no mortal could see resulting in his eyes burning crimson red.
"Naruto must know what or who did this thanks to his nose and will be looking for them later this evening. Right now brother you must keep those girls out of danger from the evil looking for them," Itachi saw his brother make his way back outside where the sight of both Hinata and Sakura looking dismal and lost shook Sasuke resulting in taking Sakura back into his arms.
"What happened?" Sasuke saw the fear and shear misery within Sakura's eyes before Sakura answered him.
"One of the officers came and told us that not only was our home ransacked, but the money that Hinata and I were saving for our annual Christmas party was stolen. And to add insult to injury, the guy being restrained by police is or should I say was our landlord. The creep just presented us with papers from the judge and, to make a long story short, we're being kicked out." Sakura wrapped her arms around herself not out of cold, but to keep herself together.
"Hinata and I literally have no place to go," Sakura for the life of her didn't know what to do, she was a strong intelligent woman that held her emotions at bay, never once showing pain or fear to anyone. Well unfortunately for Sakura, Sasuke could see right through the wall that was Sakura. Sasuke could tell this wonderful woman who in his opinion deserved far better than what life had given her was close to the breaking point.
Naruto felt lost at what just happened. How could someone so cruel treat people as kind-hearted as Hinata such a way. Hinata deserved the treatment of a queen. Naruto being the great leader he was had no idea what to do. He could hold council with wizards, ancient demon lords and the lord of the underworld himself but this was one situation Naruto had no idea how to approach. Before anything else could happen, a woman with long blonde hair in pigtails, wearing a verdant green jacket rushed though the crowd to where Hinata and Sakura were embraced by the two boys she had hoped to run into. Not out of happiness but to shake both boys until common sense was brought back to both boys.
"Sakura, Hinata!?"
Both girls turned to see Tsunade rush their way, evident worry-lines marked her face as now they knew their teacher/friend/boss coming close hoping with all her might to bring some relief.
"Girls, what the hell happened here?" As soon as Tsunade was five feet of the girls she saw misery and depression painted upon both girls. Trails of dried tears were marred their faces and Tsunade knew that two of three things were going to happen; one it was going to take a lot of booze to ease her stress from today, two she was going to smash someones face into the ground for hurting her girls and finally the council was going to give her hell for the next few days thanks to this mess. By the end of the week, Tsunade was certain after her meeting with the higher ups, by the time they were through with her she'd be shooting bullets out her ass for weeks.
"Would you like the long-detailed version involving drama and tears or the short blunt version that's quick and to the point, sensei?" Judging from Sakura's dismal voice, Tsunade knew that this wasn't going to end well.
*To be continued*