Escape to the Stars
Chapter 3: Dark Star
All you need is something new
But you're too blind to follow through
- Dark Star by Cinema Bizarre
"Hey, Sasuke...do you think it would be a good idea to wake up Kakashi and Sakura through the intercom?" A sinister smirk graced Naruto's lips.
"No, Kakashi would kill you and most likely Sakura would castrate you...alive." He deadpanned.
"All the more reason to do it!" He let out a laugh as he braced himself to pull a rather annoying way to wake up his superior.
"Idiot..."
"Good Mornin' Kakashi and Sakura! One Hyuuga Star coming up in our journey!" Naruto's rowdy voice crackled through the intercom system. There was no doubt that Naruto had quietly accepted his role of co-pilot...for now.
The blond adult's voice would wake anyone up and unfortunately, Sakura fell in those statistics. She groaned and rubbed her tired eyes with her hands. 'What a wake up call...' She squinted her eyes and took a glance at the clock; she noted that it was around 1400 hours. 4'o'clock in the afternoon...where did the time go when they were just cruising the galaxy?
Even if just a week had passed by her eyes without so much as a blink, she was quick to agree that Kakashi was her best choice of a partner. She wouldn't have tolerated Naruto's brash personality and spontaneous amount of sprouting out words, ideas and sentences that didn't make sense. He definitely could go on and on endlessly. How Sasuke put up with him, she shuddered. The poor guy, no wonder he didn't speak much. It would only make Naruto talk even more.
It wasn't like Sasuke was any better. He hardly spoke and when he did, it was to address the worries that plagued their minds. However, despite their vast differences Team 7 made a really badass team. Their teamwork was flawless - without the constant bickering from the male counterparts. Sakura couldn't believe it herself but she felt that she made Team 7 complete, like they had found their piece that they were missing.
She complimented their strengths and weaknesses. She was clearly smarter than Sasuke and Naruto but average compared to Kakashi. She was the female they needed in their group, to keep them in check and remind them that they can't keep acting on this way.
Sakura replaced her sleepwear with her regular outfit. A little retouching to her hair and her face and she was all set to their first infiltration. Yeah, she wouldn't be going inside the enemy ship but she was staying by the sidelines and taking notes so she could report back to Tsunade in detailed-oriented mission report. However, her first stop after exiting her room would be to the kitchen. She had to fix their breakfasts or else, Sasuke and Naruto would be complaining about the lack of food. She was in a chipper mood despite her rude morning call.
On the other side of the hallway, their most trusted team leader barely cracked his eye open. He wouldn't simply wake up to Naruto's voice and why would he? Alas, the mission pounded in his head and he groaned. They were catching up to the Hyuuga Star which meant that Naruto and Sasuke would soon depart and penetrate their security to gather the necessary information to the locations of the other ships. Kakashi slowly pushed himself to stand up and collect the strength to get on through the day. The unexpected aroma of pancakes, french toast and coffee enticed his sense of smell. Oh, he was definitely awake now.
By the time Sakura stepped out of the elevator to the bridge, three men were awaiting their breakfast in their small booth. She chuckled to herself as the cart that carried their breakfast laid dormant in front of the table. "Would anyone like some pancakes with French toast and a cup of coffee?" She happily smiled at them. She distributed the plates among her team and took a seat next to Kakashi.
The hums of bliss erupted from Naruto's throat. Sasuke was deliberately closing his eyes to mimic his partner. Kakashi shook his head as he bit on the French toast.
"Good morning Kakashi," She playfully bumped into his shoulder.
"Morning, Sakura. Are you ready for today?"
"Mhm! I can't wait! I'm just dying to hear the tales of Naruto and Sasuke spying."
"It's nothing special, Sakura. It's just the basic stuff, run when they aren't looking and battle them if they spot us!" Naruto scratched the back of his neck.
"Still, it must be exciting!"
"You know you'll be going with Kakashi on the next ship?" Sasuke munched on his toast.
"Oh, I am? I thought I was going to be staying on the sidelines..." She dropped her gaze to her lap.
"Hey, you'll do fine. Just stick close to me." The silver-haired commander smiled.
"All right, if you say so." Sakura smiled back at him.
After everyone had finished their meal, they sat at their seats in the cockpit.
"Sasuke, Naruto, you will be meeting an accomplice who is pretty much one of my dear friends, Genma Shiranui. He will tell you what he knows, but for code talk, just say that the White Fang sent you. He'll know you're on his side. Are you ready?"
The two men nodded their heads as they stood in a circular teleporter transporter that glowed a mystical blue. The teleporter would take them to the ship instead of crashing the enemy's party, so to speak.
"Remember, if you need to get back here quickly - for whatever reason, whether it is to get healed or you're in danger, press the jewel. That's your fastest way back here." The seriousness in Kakashi's voice only proved to Sakura that they were really doing this. It wasn't a figment of her imagination, this was real life.
Naruto and Sasuke bobbed their head once again; they knew perfectly well what they were getting themselves into. Taking her last look before they were gone, she stared at their attire. Naruto had a plain white shirt covered by an orange jacket with black pants and tennis shoes. Sasuke was a little different, he donned a sleek black jacket and navy blue pants. There was no mention for a shirt because there was no shirt. Sakura blushed at the sight of Sasuke's toned chest.
"Sakura, see ya later!" The grin disappeared as their bodies vanished with a bright light in front of her.
"So...all we have to do is wait until they come back?" She looked at Kakashi. He nodded his head at her question. She sighed, just how long was this going to take?
••• 12 hours later •••
The Hyuuga Star brilliantly exuded purple and white stardust in the contrast of the blackened universe. Sakura's eyes twinkled, she had only read about the splendor beauty of the star from Konoha's library. She was staring at the Hyuuga Star through the glass sphere panel that was on the 1st floor of Ichiraku. It had a medium-sized fountain in the center of the scenic area. The lights installed in the floor gave off a warm-blue fluorescent hue that engulfed whole area.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" She jumped in her seat as Kakashi spoke.
"Yeah, it is...I'll never be able to see such a beautiful sight like this ever again." She chuckled.
"You'll be seeing a lot more majestic habitats once we get to land." He sat right next to her on a solitary bench. His eye trained upon the star. "You must like stars a lot; you almost seem obsessed with them."
"O-oh well..." A pale crimson shade appeared on her cheeks; thankfully the whole room was a shade of blue. "I guess I make it pretty obvious."
Kakashi chuckled deeply, "Yeah, you make it blatantly, sorely, evidently, apparently obvious. You always tell me the same plan this week whenever we parted our ways." He ruffled her hair, "It's pretty cute actually. You're 22 years old and still clinging onto an object to make you happy."
"Well, what makes you happy? Your little orange books, which I might add, are porn?" Her eyebrow twitched.
"That's a different situation. You're still childish and I admire that. I wish I still had a sense for that." He sighed, "I must be getting old fast."
A smack across his shoulder appeared out of nowhere, "You're not old, Kakashi. You're just full of experience, that's all."
"Hmm, well, I guess you are right. But to hold onto hope like that, it's admirable." He showed her a shy smile with an eye crease.
Sakura pushed him off the bench with a giggle, "Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that."
"Besides, my porn books are romance novels," He smiled at her. "By the way, I think they're back." Kakashi stood up and headed out of the observation deck.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Sakura took one last glance at the Hyuuga Star and ran after Kakashi.
The elevator dinged and before she could open her eyes, she was tightly bear hugged. "N-N-Naruto, I can't b-b-b-breath!"
"Oi! Sorry Sakura! We made it back! Boy, do we have a lot to tell you guys!" He let go of Sakura and laughed to himself.
"You could have waited until we were coherent enough to realize that you came back, alive and well before squeezing the air out of me." She scoffed as she found seat and grabbed her notebook.
"Well...when we first arrived there, we gave Genma the magic codeword and he instantly buddied up to us in no time! Anyways, we told him of our mission and he helped us sneak into the main control room where all the data is sealed up. Although, we kind of have some bad news..." Naruto trailed off in hopes of Sasuke continuing the next part. It seemed that Kakashi paid more attention to Sasuke, and they were right.
"Half of the MATS starships are inactive. They're drastically cutting back with just a few ships to occupy and track our movements. As you said, there is definitely a traitor among the council. We couldn't find out whom because no one knew anything except that the person is closely knitted with The Queen. They do have some important information on Inuzuka planet. They have a prison there and unfortunately, the Inuzuka clan is trapped in it."
"You know how long it takes to get to the Inuzuka planet though? It takes about 2 months! 2 months of flying non-stop just looking for that stupid planet full of dogs." Naruto crossed his arms across his chest and grumbled.
"I love dogs." Kakashi's lazy eye remained unmoved.
"I hate dogs." Naruto pouted.
"Canines are better than felines." He lifelessly stated.
"What are canines and felines?" Naruto squinted his eyes in confusion.
"Dogs and cats, idiot." Sasuke muttered, really how could someone be so dense?
All Sakura could do was laugh heartily at the men's banter. They were so funny without even realizing it. She loved to see this interaction between them; it showed how close they truly were. She continued to laugh and she even grasped her waist in order to stop from laughing so hard.
Her 'boys' just stood there, staring at her confusingly like she just got admitted to a mental institute.
Was she really that delusional about their bond? She calmed herself down as they stood there. "What?"
"Um, are you okay Sakura? What was so funny?" The shortest of the three men stared at her.
"I'm perfectly fine! You have to realize how cute your little arguments are." She gave them a smile.
The smiles on their faces soon disappeared as laughter erupted, consuming all of the persons aboard.
•••2 months later•••
"Ahahaha, all right! Lady and gents may I present to you...Planet Inuzuka!" Naruto eased his fingers to stay still against the control panel as his voice crackled through the speakers.
It was in that short time that the rest of the team gathered behind Naruto's seat and looked at the planet in their path.
Clouds floated, obscuring their sight that awaited the view. Patches of green and blotches of blue blurred together as the clouds slowly peeled away.
"Whoa...that's a lot of land...How are we ever going to find the prison?"
"Easy, we teleport there." Kakashi answered Sakura's question.
"Do you have teleporters everywhere or something?"
"...The Inuzuka clan is part of Konoha. Of course there would be a teleporter for easier access." Sasuke's cool tone rolled off his tongue.
"...right." Sakura wasn't sure what else she could say.
A strengthened grip on her shoulder made her head whip quickly and stared at the instigator who was Kakashi. The look his eyes gave off was more like, 'Are you ready for your first encounter with danger?' He was always looking out for her even though she told him countless of times that she could handle it. Her two months weren't spent in vain as she learned self-defense through him. She'd be lying to herself if she said she wasn't attracted to Kakashi. Even if they still had their mild fights once in a blue moon...more like every day.
At first, Sakura thought she might be desperate. Because, who the hell likes their leader of the team? She realized that if she was desperate, she'd be falling for Sasuke and Naruto, not just the commander. She had spent an unusually large amount of time being near him. They both traveled to their quarters to sleep, or the kitchen to eat. In a way, she was attached to the hip with him. Just like Sasuke and Naruto were.
Of course, 2 months non-stop day and night with the same person by your side, you can get a little clingy…right? Sakura bit her lip in nervousness. Kakashi probably took this as an indication to his silent question. She felt a breath tickle her right ear and his lips grazed her earlobe.
"Don't worry, you'll do fine. Remember, fight like we practiced." His voice was low since he was whispering in her ear but she couldn't help herself when she let out a relieved sigh.
"Mhm." She hummed her response with a tint of pink on her cheeks. She wasn't used to this, people whispering in her ear. Definitely not used to having her crush whisper in her ear. The reassuring squeeze on her shoulder came back and she focused her eyes back on Sasuke and Naruto. They were spouting off information, finding out where the best teleporter was and to creep in there sneakily.
The Inuzuka Penitentiary holds approximately more than 10,000 criminals. Needless to say, this confinement was humongous. There were countless of wings, corridors, vents and security gates that were heavily guarded. There was going to be no easy way in, especially if members of the Inuzuka clan were trapped. The information alone was beginning to make Sakura's head hurt, just how were they going to break in, retrieve the members and break out?
"- we should ask Kiba where they are. He would know where they are located."
"That's a no brainer, but what if Kiba is one of the kidnapped?"
"Then, we're screwed!"
"No, no. Kiba can still contact us. He has Akamaru right?"
"He has to! That dog never leaves his side! Besides, if the MATS knew what was good for them, they'd keep 'em together in a cell. Akamaru goes nuts without Kiba. Nuts as in oh-my-god-I'll-kill-anyone-in-my-path-to-get-back-to-Kiba nuts." Naruto put a hand up to open mouths, "I've been there and through that. It's not a great sight."
"Then, it's settled. We'll ask Kiba via the BC and Akamaru will bark accordingly to the questions. We'll start on the questions, just so they're easy enough for yes and no…Sakura, you and I will be handling the questions since we're the smartest of the four." Kakashi's eye narrowed at Sasuke and Naruto.
"That's not fair…"
"Hn."
"Just work out the blueprints and find a way that will make us the less injured. I don't want to go in there bombs-a-blasting, all right?"
"Yes sir!" Naruto and Sasuke exclaimed as they saluted.
"Now Sakura, let's head downstairs to the kitchen and work out our questions for Kiba to answer. It's going to be hard since he can't talk much without giving away a notice that he's communicating with outsiders. Are you aboard?" His hand brushed against her lower back as he slightly pushed her into the elevator.
"Yeah, I think I can handle that. It most likely has to be yes or no questions, right? But that doesn't mean we have to ask a short list of questions. It can be a series of questions that coincide with each other. Like a branch of a tree leading to another branch, higher or lower." She smiled at him as the elevator hummed towards the third floor.
"That's perfect, just perfect."
"We don't have to finish this all in one night, we can take a couple of days to figure out the best questions."
"But, it's better for all of us if we work quick and efficiently."
His head bobbed in agreement, "Exactly."
The grueling hours of creating a series of questions depended on Kiba's answers. If he said no to one, they would have to ask the questions if it was why he said no. If he said yes, they had to randomly spurt names and ranks to get to the bottom of this betrayal. It wasn't easy trying to figure out the best course of action. Sakura and Kakashi were getting agitated and the kitchen light wasn't helping at all. She was getting another headache and he was constantly running his hand through his hair.
Sakura sighed, "Maybe we should take a breather? A break?" She settled her pen down on the paper.
"Maybe. We'll come back in 20 minutes?"
"An hour. We nearly spent all night working on this. I'm pretty sure that even Naruto and Sasuke are done with the blueprint."
"They're sleeping, they came down about…" He turned to look at the clock on the microwave, "3 hours ago."
"I didn't even hear them."
"They were trying to be discreet, they know how furious I get if someone interrupts me."
"It's a good thing we're partners, aren't we?" Sakura smiled as she punched his shoulder.
"Mhm. All right, we'll meet back in an hour. Are you going to the elevator?" Sakura nodded her head in reply.
"Let me walk you out." He rose from his chair and stretched his arm for her to go ahead.
"Thank you, oh kind commander." She giggled as she made her way to the elevator, masking her footsteps as to not wake up her other two members.
As they both managed their way to the elevator, Sakura was going to press the first floor button that lead her to the observation deck but it was already lit. Kakashi was already going there to clear his mind, and when she meant to take a breather, she kind of hoped to do it alone. It couldn't be possible, to spend so much time with one another, it was inhumane, insane and impossible. She felt like she was being smothered in existence with Kakashi Hatake.
Although, she didn't mind spending too much time with him as she found out all the little ticks and quirks he would do or say and she couldn't help but smile at that. She probably knew him the most out of the three and she took pride in that. The way his eyebrow twitched whenever someone – mostly when Naruto questioned his authority. The way his eye creased softly in affection towards her kind words. The way his fingers drummed incessantly against whatever surface when he was annoyed, frustrated or impatient.
Just like how his fingers were pounding against the automatic door of the elevator. Sakura's eyes widened, "What did you say?" She was unaware that her train of thought sucked her in so deeply.
"I said, are you coming with me or not?" His hand kept the doors from closing.
"O-oh, yeah!"
She brushed by his body to exit the elevator. He pulled his hand away and stood by her side. Sakura gulped as his eye stared right into her. Her arms were close to her chest and her eyes violently shaking for staring right back at him. He leaned. She tensed. Then he walked away, taking a seat at the farthest bench.
She stood in place like a statue, frozen as her mind jumbled a thousand thoughts and meshed them all together. She brought herself to sit at the bench, the same one where she used to stare at the Hyuuga Star. Only this time the Inuzuka Planet took its place.
For a whole hour, they sat without speaking a word. Sakura took a note; it was probably more than hour that she sat there. All types of questions, hints, clues of their time together flashed in her head.
A soft hand behind her back, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, his lips whispering to her, that intense gaze just moments before…were they signs? That her affection for him was not one-sided? She started to breath heavily. She had never dated before, never been with a man to know all the ropes. What if he was just playing her? Stringing her along so he could catch her in act?
She didn't want to know. She didn't want to feel misled. She didn't want rejection.
She got up from the bench and walked towards the elevator. Shortly after, his presence loomed behind her while waiting for the elevator doors to open. The wait for those doors seemed to take forever.
After waiting what seemed like eternity, the doors opened. She rushed to get inside and when the doors closed, she noticed that Kakashi didn't follow her. She exhaled heavily as she slowed her heart rate down.
She immediately went back into her room without no pause. Just how was she going to do this mission with him? She shook her head and squeezed her eyes tightly. 'Act professional. Don't say or do anything you wouldn't do in a platonic friendship. '
She turned the water on her bathtub and spilled some bubble bath substance into the water. Seconds later, foamy bubbles started to form. She grabbed some candles, placed them on the bathroom counter and lit them. The lavender scent engulfed the room rapidly. She peeled off her clothes and inserted herself into the bubble-filled bathtub. She closed her eyes.
Only one question seemed to bounce in her mind. From corner to corner, despite all the reasons she would list that worked against her, it came back to the one subject that seemed to turn her into a pile of mush. What if he was attracted to her as she was to him?
•••
Sakura Haruno, reporting for duty. Today's date is June 15th, 2815. We are located in the Oturanian Universe at the Hyuuga Star. Coordinates are 01.2612°N, 78.5210°E.
My sincere gratitude, for this is for Lady Tsunade.
She was the one who inquired that I report our findings. Naruto and Sasuke reported back from MATS ship located around the Hyuuga Star. The enemy ship was named Rannatii. The two cadets came back unharmed as their source, Genma Shiranui provided cover for them. They came back with vital information. They found out that half of the MATS ships that are under our list for infiltration have been deemed inactive. There is no mistake about it, something equally huge is happening and they are just preparing for it. The cut back has affected MATS in our whereabouts but Sasuke and Naruto say it's only because they know where we'll be. The approximate 10 months you required for the mission have been cut down. We may be home sooner than that. They also found out that the traitor is definitely in the council. It said to be someone who is close to you, although I have no clue how close to you. The Inuzuka clan has members trapped in their own prison due to the invasion on their planet. We have decided to head there in hopes to figure out what the MATS plan. I have heard it takes about 2 months to get there, I will send in a video at our halfway mark.
Wish us Godspeed and hope to end this war.
Sakura Haruno, over and out.
•••
Sakura Haruno, reporting for duty. Today's date is July 17th, 2815. We are located in the Oturanian Universe at the halfway mark towards the Inuzuka Planet. Huh? It's called what? Oh, we're located around the Tsume Belt. Coordinates are 02.0162°S, 68.0123°E.
We are doing quite well in our journey to the Inuzuka Planet.
HELLO QUEEN!
Naruto, stop it!
Ahem, Leader Hatake has given me the opportunity to learn self-defense and pummel anyone trying to hurt me or my teammates.
We're your teammates now? COOL!
Naruto, STOP IT!
I'm deeply sorry about that…distraction. Sasuke Uchiha is fit for duty, Naruto Uzumaki is a little rash and impulsive. I can see why I am on this team now. I'm terribly sorry for questioning your motives to place upon this team. Kakashi Hatake is the calmest leader I have ever seen. He's a great commander for the Oturanian Universe. Having him by Konoha's side, there is nothing to fear. There hasn't been any new information but as you asked, next month if we unveil new leads, I will report them.
I hope everything is all and well,
Sakura Haruno, over and out.
•••
Sakura Haruno, reporting for duty. Today's date is August 20th, 2815. We are located in the Oturanian Universe at the Inuzuka Planet. Unfortunately, the coordinates aren't registering. I assume because there is a barrier around the planet due to the MATS invasion?
We are getting ready to infiltrate the prison. We have decided to communicate with Kiba Inuzuka via the Brain Communicator. I have no idea what machine is that or how it works but I will soon find out tomorrow morning. Sasuke and Naruto have already managed the safest way to break in and escape with the members. Kakashi and I will be handling the questions for Kiba. Akamaru is to bark in favor or disagreement as Kiba cannot speak. We will not have our work cut out for us. All four of us will be in the prison so please don't expect anyone to pick up a hologram, should you leave one for us. I admit, I am trembling but I assure you, we can get the job done.
I hope your investigation for the betrayer has gone well. The sooner you find out who it is, the sooner we can come home and kill that traitor.
Please give us all your prayers and wishes; we want to be done with this.
Sakura Haruno, over and out.