CHAPTER 33

Emotions Erupt
(感情が噴出 Kanjō ga Funshutsu)

At that moment, heartbeats had began to quicken from the smoldering look that was exuding from the perturbed medic nin. Eight pairs of eyes had widen in fear and quivered with uncertainty from the thought of finally being caught in the open. Even more so, the tension in the air was becoming thicker and it was getting uncomfortable for anyone to stay quiet for too long. Who would dare speak within such an atmosphere and caused more damage to be done? It couldn't be helped, but it was pointless to hide from them anymore.

"Oh, no..." Miyuki said and she took a step back from Sakura. She wanted to be safe than sorry since there was no telling how the medic nin would react or what she do at this point.

"Lady Sakura..." Kei spoke coolly and he was trying his hardest not to agitate Sakura any further.

'Daddy...' Sarina couldn't believe that right before her eyes, her Father was right there in front of her. It had been so many years since she seen him alive and it took all her will power not to run up to him and embraced him with all her worth. But that was something she just couldn't do right now and as much as it pained her, the redhead had brushed away her own personal feelings and focused on what was happening now.

After a few more moments, Nariko had broken free from her apprehensive gaze and she gazed into the eyes that belonged to the medic nin and studied her expression. This was the first time in a long time that she had ever seen Sakura this angry and whenever this happened, she meant business. The raven decided not to indulge herself into anymore needless thinking. "Sakura, Sai, how much of that did you guys hear?"

"About all of it." Sakura answered, but her voice was not as polite and stern as everyone was used to.

Miyuki had sensed the irritation that was evident in her voice and this made the blonde even more fearful of her to say the least. She didn't even know how they were going to go about explaining this situation to them and judging by how Sakura was acting, patience was not much of an option. "Sakura, we can explain-"

"I'm sure you can..." Sakura cut in without letting Miyuki get another word in. The medic nin truly was upset. "...and you're going to explain. Right now."

Sai had stepped in and placed a hand on the medic nin's shoulder, making it clear that she was about to overstep some unseen boundaries. "Sakura, I understand how you must be feeling, but this is not the time nor the place to being doing this."

There was truth to what Sai was saying, but they kept it a secret long enough. All of Konoha had been kept in the dark about these events for far too long and it was frustrating not knowing the truth. Not only that, the real reason why these group of young shinobi were here needed to come out. As much as it was nice for someone to be the voice of reason in the conflict, Sai was not going to pull her away from this. "At this point, I don't care anymore, Sai. I need some answers right now."

"Fine. We'll tell you..." Nariko stated somberly, but then her expression had changed and it became more rebellious. "...but not with you acting like that."

"Nariko-san, what happened to what you were saying earlier?" Kei had thought that she wanted to tell them everything, but it was the raven's indecisiveness and unpredictable personality that made it hard for him and the others to keep up with her.

"I know what I said earlier, but I refuse to tell her what she wants to hear right now. Her attitude is telling me that she wants to know these answers for herself. Hence why I'm not telling her." Nariko's eyes had narrowed to the point where she was literally glaring daggers at the medic nin.

Sakura had seen that look once before and it was only on one occasion: when she and Team 7 had reunited with Sasuke back at Orochimaru's hideout in Kusagakure. Those cold, frigid eyes were present once again and they weren't full with the warmth and buoyant that Sakura was familiar with. Malevolence was slowly starting to fill her onyx pools, which was something that Nariko did not want to feel towards anyone.

"Nariko, calm down." Miyuki stated with bereavement, hoping that she would just try to be rational about this. Sadly, this only fueled Nariko to get louder with Sakura.

"No! She's acting like a-" Before Nariko could finish up her sentence, Sarina had ran up behind the raven and placed her hand over mouth. She had to prevent Nariko from saying anything that would possibly push Sakura over the edge and have a serious physical altercation start because of it.

"What Nariko is trying to say is..." Sarina glared at Nariko fiercely for almost saying such an crude obscenity to her own Godmother. The redhead can honestly say that Nariko doesn't hold her tongue for anybody and that was really bad in her opinion. "...this is something that is suppose to be explained to everyone, Lady Sakura..."

"Lady...Sakura?" The medic was not use to hearing such a title added to her name and it seemed foreign to her. Sarina and Kei had greeted her with such a formal title and now it was making her wonder what she really was to these group of shinobi.

"I agree. But I don't think we should tell Naruto just yet. He needs more time to relieve his mind from being so stressed out." Sai could deal with some things, but this was something that he couldn't deal with alone. He was still trying to understand how to read the atmosphere and seeing this made him realize that this situation was going to get very ugly if someone didn't neutralize it from spiraling out of control.

"Sai, we can't let this go on any longer. We have to let Tsunade-shishou know what's going on and Naruto..." Sakura descended her head for a moment and thought about Naruto. For the past week, he's been fighting constantly for Sasuke's sake, but he still didn't know the secret that was being kept from him by Team NMS. She brought her hand to the front of her shirt and clenched it tightly. "...he of all people deserves to know what's been happening."

"So you want to send him to an early grave by stressing him out even further?" Sai inquired, crossing his arms and looked at Sakura with distressed eyes. The artist couldn't understand why Sakura was behaving this way and making things even more difficult than they already were. Sure, he wanted to know out of curiosity, but he refused to verbally assault them for answers.

"This is ridiculous and crazy, you know that?" Nariko had stated after Sai had tried to amend the situation in his own way. Even though she still didn't really like him that much, the raven had gave him credit for at least trying to help them out. "I am so disappointed in you, Sakura or should I call you 'Godmother'?"

Sakura's eyes had widen from being called by that name. A week ago, she had remembered that Nariko had whispered those words in her sleep after the medic nin had forced her to get some rest. Back then, Sakura thought that she was simply hearing things, but now she knew that Nariko did indeed call her that subconsciously that time. Sai had looked at Sakura slightly baffled by the new information that he was bestowed with. In the future, Sakura was Nariko and Miyuki's Godmother and now he waited for even more information to come out as the tension in the air continued to grow around them...

XxX

"I did it. I really did it..." Naruto exclaimed after he had calmed down from his cheering.

In the Precinct House, most of the shinobi was still in shock that the blond shinobi was able to change the mind of the Daimyō during a court proceeding. Homura and Koharu we still not pleased with the outcome of this trial and feared that Naruto had made a false move by terminating Sasuke's death sentence. Tsunade and the other officials were still amazed that he was able to give such a powerful and moving statement on his friend's behalf. That would be something they would never forget.

The Daimyō had cleared his throat to get Naruto's attention, which he got a couple of seconds later. "The trial is officially over. I thank all of you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be here today. Court adjourned!" He slammed down the gavel and the case was concluded to be finally over.

As the plethora of shinobi had started to disperse themselves from the courthouse, Kakashi and Yamato had walked up to Naruto to congratulate him on a job well done.

"Naruto, you were great." Yamato stated as he ruffled through the blond's spiked locks. Naruto seriously had the wood user worried for a moment there, but he was glad that the blond had won despite how slim his chances of success were.

Naruto nodded in gratitude from the sensei's praise. "Thank you, Captain Yamato-taicho."

While they were talking, some of the shinobi passing by them were giving Naruto a mixture of emotions. Some were happy that he was able to save his friend's life while others was showing disapproval for his actions. The blond couldn't believe that his fellow shinobi from the same village had wanted Sasuke dead. They might not understand why Naruto took the actions that he did, but he wasn't gonna stand for them judging him like that.

Kakashi had stopped Naruto from doing something unnecessary and he smiled at him behind his mask to reassure the blond that he had done nothing wrong. "Don't worry about them, Naruto. Your decision of saving Sasuke will come to terms someday. They will see why you fought so hard to save him in the long-run..."

At the front of the courthouse, the ANBU was releasing Sasuke from his binds and was about to escort him out so he can receive his punishment. Just when they were about to leave, Naruto had stopped them and ran up to see Sasuke before they took him away.

"What are you doing, Naruto?" The head ANBU captain had questioned him.

Without much hesitation, Naruto had gently hugged Sasuke and his eyes slowly shut as he relished in the feeling of actually holding him. The blond still felt that everything that happened was surreal, but this just confirmed that all of his efforts had paid off in the end. A single tear had escaped from his closed eyes as he held Sasuke close to him.

"See? I told you that you wouldn't die." Naruto chided in amusement. "Have some faith in me..."

"You're such an indignant fool, Naruto." Sasuke growled out in irritation, being reluctant in wanting Naruto's small gesture of affection. "What you just did was straight asinine." the raven had felt the blond literally grinning from the insult. Sasuke should have known that it wouldn't have any effect on the blond.

"I wouldn't be me if I wasn't. You should know that by now, Sasuke." Naruto had embraced him even tighter as his cheek had gently brushed over Sasuke's briefly. The blond didn't want anyone to hear this and he lowered his voice to a whisper and he stated, "Be grateful that my feelings run deep for you, teme..."

Before Sasuke could protest or say anything back to him, Naruto was now walking away from him. Perhaps the blond shouldn't have told Sasuke that, but maybe it would make raven do some kind of thinking while he was going through his punishment. As he got to the middle of the room, Naruto had ceased his walking which got the ANBU's attention.

"I know that I won't be able to go with you guys to make sure that he will be all right, but let me say one thing to all of you." Naruto had showed the ANBU his profile and they had instantly saw the noticeable color change in his eyes from the cool blue to a fierce red. The pupil had also changed and formed into a slit. "If any of you graze even a single strand of hair on his head, you gonna be dealing with me. Got it?"

The ANBU was slightly taken aback from Naruto's threat. The way his voice was embedded with a dangerous malice, it was like it didn't belong to him at all.

It seems like you've taken a page out of my book, kit...

'Kurama...' Naruto wasn't expecting the Nine Tails to intervene at a time like this and its timing was not good. He didn't feel like dealing with him right now. 'What is it? I'm not in the mood...'

You might have won the battle for now, but the war is far from over. You have yet to experience true pain and agony...

Naruto was a bit confused by the fox's claim and what did he mean by not truly experiencing it? His entire life was the epitome of pain and agony, so it didn't make any sense why Kurama would say something like that. Naruto needed to know more. 'What are you talking about?'

The nightmare that you've experienced when you were put under that genjutsu?

And just like that, those horrible visions had came back even stronger. Sasuke. Nariko and Miyuki. Blood. Black thorns. Lifeless corpses. The demonic and satanic voice that was filled with hatred. He remembered it all in a matter of second and Naruto scowled under his breath from seeing them again.

'Now I do. I didn't want to remember. Thanks a lot.'

Naruto, your will power will be greatly tested and it must never be weaken under any circumstances. If it does, not only will that vision become a reality, but you will be the one responsible for it.

'Say what?! Stop talking in riddles and tell me, Kurama!' To Naruto, telling him this information in pieces and abstracts was not gonna do him any good.

I'm afraid that I can't say anymore than that, kit. For now, the pain will continue to come to you in waves on occasion. No matter what happens, you must not let yourself fall into despair. If you do, not only will it kill you, but it will destroy everything and all of humanity around you...

Naruto's mind had went numb from that statement. Now humanity was on the line now? What else could possibly happen that hasn't happened already? Was some type of war gonna break out soon? Was a new enemy gonna try and attack the village? What was it that Kurama was trying to tell him?

As the jinchuriki, this is something that you must figure out on your own. I hope that you can continue to fight and strive until the very end. I know you can do it...

Kurama had disappeared and Naruto came back from the inside of his conscience. 'Wow, Kurama. You sure know how to lay it on a person. How much more of this can a person take? This is becoming too much for even me to endure...'

"Naruto, are you okay?" Kakashi asked out of concern, but Naruto didn't answer.

'Even so, I'll endure everything until the bitter end. I won't let anything deter from protecting everyone...' Even with the news Kurama gave him concerning his dreams, Naruto was not gonna quit. He refused to quit and let those dreams run his life.

"Naruto?" Yamato was the one who asked this time, but he didn't get a response, either.

'No matter what!' Naruto had smiled that smile that made you feel that everything was gonna be fine.

'Jiraiya, do you see the pupil that you've raised? He's grown into such a fine and proud shinobi with such an extraordinary dream and will power that can surpass almost anything. He is the light that is guiding the village towards a new and brighter future...' Tsunade had been watching Naruto the entire time and she knows that he will be the new pillar that holds the village together. No doubt in her mind that Naruto was a shinobi with a heart and strength that can't be surpassed...

XxX

Back at the hospital, things were not getting better for Team NMS and Nariko's patience was wearing thin with each passing moment. Miyuki couldn't really do much with her sister when she became so enraged that no amount of words can get through to her. Sarina on the other hand was still focusing on the situation at hand, but every now and then, he gaze would fall on Sai. Kei had to keep his eyes on Sarina and hoped that she didn't do anything too reckless. The chakra user had known his sister to be a big softie when it came down to their father.

"I can't even believe the way you're acting right now. It's like you're not even the same person anymore!" Nariko was slowly becoming more and more vehement with her words.

"Nariko..." Kei answered solemnly as he bit his bottom lip out of agitation. He could see clearly that this was hurting her more than she had let on. She had always been good with hiding her true emotions through anger.

"And to think that you're the one who raised and nurtured us when we were children! You protected us when our parents had died for our sake. I...I don't like this side of you at all. It's terrible..." The raven's voice was cracked, but it held so much hurt and pain behind it.

"Sis, don't say that! You don't mean it!" The blonde's voice went unnoticed, but Kei had mentally agreed with her. Nariko was gonna caused more problems than fixed them and her rash behavior was not helping them. In fact, it was making things worse for them.

The raven's fist had clenched fervently from keeping her cool under control, but she could no longer maintain the anguish that resided within her heart and she let her true feelings be known. "This woman is not my Godmother and she would never act like this! Never!" Unable to take anymore, Nariko had walked passed her Sakura and purposely brushed her shoulder against hers to insinuate her point very clearly. After the raven opened the door, she slammed it shut as she headed down the stairs and back to her room.

"Nariko!" Miyuki called out to her, but it didn't do any good since the raven was out of reach of her sister's voice.

"That damn hothead..." Sarina was so disgusted with the outcome of this situation, but she was even more disgusted with Nariko. The redhead was gonna seriously knock some sense into her when the two of them were alone.

Nariko's words had pierced through Sakura like a blade puncturing through human flesh. Was she wrong for how she had came at them and became demanding with her own selfish reasons to know answers? The medic nin was sure she was doing this for Naruto's sake, but now she wasn't so sure about it anymore. She was being mindful of everyone's feelings and yet still end up hurting someone in the process. What was happening to her and why she turning into someone so unsightly?

"My lady..." Kei started. "You'll have to excuse her. She's not acting like herself right now. I deeply apologize for her behavior. With all the events happening, it's just-"

"No, it's quite all right. I'm fine. Don't worry about it." Her conviction on how she handled this situation here had depicted her in a way that she didn't think it was possible. More than likely, she was certain that she had lost Nariko's trust from this verbal altercation.

'Sakura, are you really all right?' Sai, the voice of reason was now deeply concerned about Sakura's well being. After seeing it firsthand for the first time, the artist had to try and figure out what was causing her so much inner turmoil and as a member of Team 7, he would get to the source of it as soon as possible. He wanted to at least give his teammate some ease from this constant pain.

"Anyway, we have a message for you from our Hokage and we were told to give it to you specifically." Kei had pulled out a small scroll from inside of his pouch. It was a decorated, brick red scroll that was tied up with golden string and had detailed embroidery designed on it. The chakra user had offer it to Sakura and she had reluctantly accepted it.

"For me?" The medic nin slowly started to opened to scroll and Sai had came closer so he could take a good look at it.

"Yes, my lady." Kei had adjusted his glasses and had went to stand next to his sister and waited for Sakura to read the message out loud.

Dear Sakura Haruno,

If you are reading this letter, that means that things have gotten beyond your control and understanding. But, please don't bombard these children with questions that they can't possibly answer. I understand the pain that you're feeling, but do not fret. Everything will soon come to light. I need you to gather all of the members of Konoha 13, Team Taka so they all meet with the 5th Hokage in the business room below the Hokage Mansion. In a week's time, all that you want to know will be revealed then...

Sincerely,
The 8th Hokage

"What on Earth...?" Sakura had closed her eyes and inwardly groaned after reading the letter. Now the medic nin felt even more terrible about what had transpired not too long ago. Maybe if she and Sai had met them a little later on, the group would of given her this letter and things wouldn't be as messy as they were right now. If only she knew about this letter, perhaps she would have showed some restraint and let them explain things to everyone without being forced to. Sakura now knew that she had made a mistake in that regard, but she couldn't simply try to make amends with Nariko so quickly after angering her. The medic nin would let her cool down and hopefully when the time is right, she would apologize to her.

"The Eighth...Hokage...?" Sai was amazed from the thought of the village even having a eighth Hokage. Now his curiosity had piqued even higher than before and it had him even more interested in learning more about them and wanting to have a prominent understanding about Team NMS' true purpose..

'Daddy...' She couldn't deny it any longer. Sarina slowly made her way towards Sai, opening her arms to him as she got closer to him. 'I've waited so long to see you again and here you are...' Her feelings were being overwhelmed by sheer joy and happiness as her eyes glimmered with hope of getting just one chance to embrace him.

It wasn't until a moment later that Kei realized what she was about to do and he had to stop her. Coming from behind her, the chakra expert had grabbed her by her waist in order to keep Sarina from going any further. "Sarina, stop it! Don't do this right now!"

"Let go of me!" The redhead struggled to free herself from her elder brother, but he kept a firm and strong hold on her. Sarina held in her tears as she continued to move and thrash about in Kei's arms. "Please, Kei..."

"Is everything all right with her?" Sai grew concerned with the way Sarina started acting out and he noticed that her rueful onyx eyes had been directed towards him. The artist wanted to know what he had done wrong or what was the reason why the redhead was showing pain and sadness towards him?

"Yes. Everything is fine. Sarina's just a little emotional and concerned about Nariko. She'll be all right, though." That was the explanation Kei gave him, but he wished he sounded as sure as he did when he had said that. Kei was a lot better at keeping calm than Sarina did, but that didn't mean he wasn't feeling the same way that she did. 'Sarina, I feel the same way about our mother, but we'll have to wait another week to tell them who we are. I hate this just as much as you do, but just hold on a little longer...' In reality, he too had wanted to embraced his Father, but since they had to follow a certain procedure from their Hokage, Kei would had to put his personal feelings aside.

No matter how much it hurt him, Kei would continued to be the one to keep the team together and being level-headed. That was the best thing he could do for the team right now...

XxX

After everything was taken care of at the Precinct House, Naruto along with Kakashi and Yamato were making their way outside to get some much fresh air from all the chaos that the trial had caused. Naruto was indeed happy that he was able to save Sasuke from execution, but now he had something else that he had to do: visit Nariko at the hospital and possibly meet Miyuki as well. As he walked down the concrete stairs, the blond had looked up and was greeted with something he wasn't expecting. All of his friends were there with mirthful smiles and their positive expressions had took Naruto by surprise.

"Naruto, you were awesome!" Ino had stated with excited as she gave him a cute wink. The blonde was still a bit excited from hearing about Naruto's court victory.

"Yeah, truly amazing!" Chōji was just as excited as Ino, but he was being a bit more reserved that she was. But still, the robust shinobi couldn't help but show admiration for Naruto's courage and belief.

"I didn't know you had that in ya! I'm impressed!" Kiba was not one to get impressed so easily, but Naruto did the impossible and pulled Sasuke away from the burning fires of the afterlife. The tracker nin had a whole new level of respect towards Naruto now.

Rock Lee had leaped from out of the group and literally glomped Naruto in a manly hug. His tears of youth had began to overflow passionately as he nuzzled the blond's cheek. "Naruto-kun! You did it, my youthful comrade!"

As much as Naruto had liked the fact that Lee was so elated about him beating the council in court, he was literally trying to pry Lee off of him. "Okay, centipede brows, enough with the manly tears of joy already..."

The blond had turned to his left and he had seen Hinata with a sweet smile on her face. He had appreciated her, because she had been supporting him ever since his feelings for Sasuke were becoming more and more apparent. "Naruto-kun, I'm so happy for you."

"That means a lot to me. Thank you, Hinata." Naruto was so grateful to her for being so understanding and caring. She still cared about him from the bottom of her heart and the blond could easily see that.

"So, what's the next step, Naruto?"

Naruto laughed from the prodigy's question. Leave it to Neji to get right down to business after enjoying a small moment of Naruto's success. "Well, I would tell you, but I'm not suppose to discuss those matters outside of the courtroom."

"Despite that, Naruto can rest easy for a moment." Shikamaru concurred after arriving to join everyone. The shadow user just grinned whole-heartily ar the blond shinobi and Naruto had returned his gesture with a grin of his own. Shikamaru had to give Naruto all the credit in the world for turning Sasuke's near execution completely around and saving his life. He called it nothing short of a miracle that he managed to pull that off. Shikamaru also realized that in the future, the village will have nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.

"Yeah!" Naruto had agreed and he couldn't help but look up the clear blue sky that were filled with pure white clouds. He felt like all the pressure and weight that was crushing him during the week was completely obliterated, but Kurama's words were still plaguing him. 'They've all supported me up to this point. I couldn't have asked for better people as my precious friends. Kurama, I know what you've said earlier, but I'm not gonna give you the satisfaction of being right. So far, everything seems to fine so far, except for those nightmares. I hope things can stay like for a little while...'

Kakashi and Yamato had just stood in the background and watched their student continued to socialized with his friends. It was a wonderful sight to see him smile again after all the pain and discretion that he went through. Now, they wondered what had Naruto zoned out while they were still inside the courthouse earlier. They only hoped that things could remain peaceful without anything that could possible spiral Naruto back into being secluded and depressed. If that does happened, both Kakashi and Yamato will be right there to help Naruto and be there for him...

* * *NEXT CHAPTER SYNOPSIS* * *

The next chapter of Changing Fate is:

Movement In The Shadows
(影の運動 Kage no Undō)

Touran of the Bakudai plans his next move. Meanwhile, the procedures are done for Sasuke and the both of them are taken to a new place where the blond will be overseeing Sasuke's progress for the next four years. Also, Sarina finds Nariko and beat some sense into her...