Ceremony: Part Two

Sakura slipped quietly through the folds of the curtain that served as the entrance to the Clan Ceremony. It was held in the large Meeting Hall located in the center of the compound.

It was full of people. And, while she recognized some of them, it was only in passing. She wandered along the outskirts of the murmuring crowd, trying to spot familiar faces. She saw Senju Ryoshima, the Senju clan head, Senju Kimiko, her staff instructor as well as two chunin, one an Uchiha, the other a Senju, who were a part of the Research Department. But that was it in a room of well over a hundred people.

There was no sign of Sasuke or Naruto.

Suddenly everyone began to sit down. A lance of fear shot through Sakura as she imagined etiquette that she was unaware of causing her to make an embarrassing mistake.

She did her best to observe the surrounding ninja, finding no such thing, and sat down in a random spot. The crowd was arranged in a circle that sloped down towards the center. A large stone, rectangular stage rose up from the middle.

Upon it, Ryoshima and Fugaku, the clan heads, stood as they began the ceremony.

Fugaku spoke first. "Thank you everyone for joining us. Especially to our familial clans, for today we celebrate family. Our sister clan, the Hyuuga, welcome Hiashi-dono." Fugaku said, gesturing to a balcony, where the aforementioned Hyuuga sat. He was sitting next to Naruto's mother, Sakura saw. In the balcony below, she found Naruto, sitting next to Hinata and her sister in formal looking clothes. "And of course," Fugaku continued, "the Uzumaki. Kushina-hime, welcome." The redhead waved merrily, blowing a kiss at him as the crowd chuckled.

"Ours is a history wrought with struggle, love, conflict, and pain," Ryoshima continued. The older man's spiky, graying brown hair shifted as he looked over the crowd sternly. "Our bonds are hard won, and we take this time to remember them once more."

Without further ado, they left the stage.

Suddenly, the hall darkened, shades drawn above as torches were extinguished. Tiny pinpricks of light spread out over the ceiling.

It was nighttime. From the center of the stage, perfectly rectangular stones came into existence, rising silently from the ground.

A woman was there as well. Sakura recognized her as Ryoshima's wife, Senju Sayuri née Uchiha. And she was crying. She knelt behind a stone, a gravestone, in the center of the field of such stones as her anguish washed over the crowd. Sakura shifted in discomfort as the elderly woman mourned. It went on for longer than Sakura expected.

And it seemed in the time she was there the number of graves had expanded, more rising up to surround her until the stage and floor around it was covered in them.

A signal horn blew as drums began to beat. The lights changed focusing on the graves instead of the woman as she slipped behind the stage. The gravestones spun to reveal their inscriptions. Each in the field of graves bore the crest of one of the two clans. Senju. Uchiha. Senju. Uchiha. Senju. Uchiha. The graveyard bore the weight of their failures.

The stone in front of the woman in the center didn't turn.

As all the stones sunk back into the ground, the music picked up pace, accompanied by the thumping of drums as the Uchiha came into view. They were wearing armor reminiscent of the Warring Clans era.

As one they traced through kata signature to their style of taijutsu, interspersed with displays of shuriken and fire jutsu. Sakura found Sasuke there, sending a stream of fire into the air with his clan.

Just as their display was about to reach its peak, a different horn blew and the Senju appeared, taking up the other half of the stage as the Uchiha's side darkened.

The Senju displayed their kenjutsu, axes, spears and blades glowing with chakra as they brought them down with a crash. A jutsu from each element streaked up into the sky, the music suddenly sifting as the Uchiha's side brightened once more. Two sides, too powerful to remain to themselves.

The sudden dissonance was reflected in the music, the drums beating and war horns blowing, until finally the two groups faced each other.

From them pairs emerged, one Senju and one Uchiha lined up through the center of the stage until they came to the Clan heads. They were armed and facing each other as the music fell to silence. Then, they drew their weapons and the music began to swell once more.

She saw Sasuke, dressed in similar armor, standing across from Noriko. He held a chokuto while she held a standard katana.

As when they were separate, the pairs traced through choreographed motions, fighting against each other, their blades clanking together with the beats of the music as they slashed and spun. After a flurry, they would retreat as the music fell and meet again in a swell of sound and movement.

Sasuke and Noriko pulled back. Then, the pace picked up again.

They met once more in the middle, cold steel whizzing past each other in display of skill and trust. Then, almost by accident, Sasuke's chokuto stabbed too close to her ear, a shallow cut opening. Sakura's attention was suddenly drawn to them as the girl's face contorted in a hiss of pain, and they retreated.

The music swelled.

They met again, faster than before. Sakura watched as Noriko slashed her sword too close to Sasuke's arm, a cut opening to match her own in a tiny spray of blood. Sasuke glared at her and she shrugged her shoulders imperceptibly as if to say "whoops." Sakura didn't believe her and neither, it seemed, did Sasuke as they met once more in a blur of motion. He cut across her shoulder as Noriko almost immediately after cut into his stomach. Sakura's heart picked up. If Sasuke hadn't pulled back...that could have been a fatal blow. And if Noriko hadn't turned...

They met again with less pretense and increasing ferocity, the music long forgotten as cuts opened up between them.

The next time they met, Noriko stabbed forward toward his throat immediately. Sakura's heart nearly stopped. It was too close to block!

Sakura felt herself rising, her mind calculating if she would be able to make it, how long against the time for ischemia to-

A hand held her shoulder firm as Sasuke ducked his chin at the last second. A deep cut ripping open. Deep, but not life threatening.

She turned back to see Naruto, he gently pushed her back down as he slid in next to her. "Don't worry," he whispered, "it's still all planned out, even if it looks real."

Sakura felt the swell of embarrassment fill her as she became aware of all of the other pairs, similarly bloodied, but with no fatal wounds in sight. The music fell and rose again.

But why? This was barbaric.

Naruto sensed her confusion. "It's like a trust thing and a...history thing? Sasu-chan and the little viper don't kill each other even though they're pretending to be old timey people who want to kill each other." His brow scrunched up. "And even though they're pretending to not be old timey people too? Like, er..."

Sakura understood as Sasuke's face contorted in anger and Noriko smirked evilly, lashing out as one to the other's unguarded vitals with abandon. They would have died together.

They stopped just before the blows landed clean. Each pair had. One by one, they pulled back to sheath their weapons in tune with the music up the line until it came to Fugaku and Ryoshima. A stone had risen between them, the same gravestone from the start, but the clan heads did not sheath their weapons, staring tensely at each other.

The stone before them spun to the audience, clean and unmarked.

The performers turned and bowed as the stage darkened.

"There's an intermission now for healing everyone up before they keep going." It would prevent any scarring, Sakura thought, and was obvious in retrospect.

"Can I help?" She finally asked.

Naruto smiled. "Of course! You're like the best medic ever."

Together, they made their way down toward the stage. Sasuke nodded to them as they approached. One of the other medics nodded to her graciously. Sakura got to work.

Her hands glowed green as she healed his wounds. "Thanks," he grunted out. She smiled back at him.

Noriko was watching them from the side with her arms crossed as Sakura finished. Sakura turned around. "Would you like me to heal you?"

Noriko's lips thinned, but she didn't say no, so Sakura healed her as well. "Thank you," Noriko said once she was done. Then, she grumbled and said, "And, I'm sorry...if I was ever mean to you."

Sakura was taken aback. "Oh, well...Thank you, Noriko. You're very kind."

The dark haired girl threw her teammates a petulant look and stalked off. Sakura turned quizzically towards them as Naruto rushed forward.

"Aww!" He called out, "you do have a heart!" He proceeded to chase Noriko around the hall for a hug.

Sakura glanced to Sasuke. "You said something to her."

"Of course not," he said as his eyes followed the chase. Naruto was trying to scoop her up in a bear hug as she struggled to get away.

"Sasuke," a different voice said, "it is about time to resume."

The Uchiha glanced up at Ryoshima. "If you say so." He nodded to Sakura, gesturing vaguely to keep Naruto in line as he left.

Ryoshima turned to leave as well before suddenly turning back.

"Sakura," he said. Sakura's eyes widened as she stood at attention. "What are you doing here?"

The question took a moment to process. What? "I'm here for the ceremony," she said slowly.

"Hm. I don't recall inviting you."

And there it was. Her stomach clenched uncomfortably as the implicit was made explicit. Thick indignation rose up in her throat. Senju didn't need invitations.

"I didn't realize I needed an explicit invitation from you, Ryoshima-sama."

He had already begun to turn away, returning to the stage without a second glance. She stepped forward after him.

"And," Sakura said her voice rising, "would you have even extended one? If I'd asked?"

He paused, turning around to look at her. His wrinkled face was pinched in distaste and Sakura felt the urge to flick her pink hair in the wind. Finally, "No. You lack sufficient exceptionalism to impress the Senju. But, if you're already here, well, feel free to remain. Now, if you'll excuse me."

The young Senju watched him leave, her eyes dark as the hall began to quiet down and people searched for their seats. Her jaw clenched. "Good thing I didn't need to ask then."

Naruto returned, smiling. He cocked his head to the side. "Huh, where'd Sasuke go?

Sakura's eyes softened as she glanced at him. "The ceremony's about to start again?" Surely, he could tell?

His eyes widened. "Oh, shit, I've gotta get back! My mom will totally kill me." He made a move to leave before pausing and glancing at her as if to weigh whether or not to stay regardless.

She shook her head in exasperation. "Go, Naruto. Don't get in trouble."

He smiled and raced back towards the balcony.

For Hinata, the beginning of the Clan Ceremony was spent twiddling her thumbs, swaying back and forth ever so slightly.

Her mind was full of possibilities.

It wasn't the right time, she decided. She couldn't talk to him, she decided. It would be terrible, she decided.

Still, she glanced constantly at the bright-eyed blonde beside her. He looked bored, barely paying attention to the ceremony as it started. He might appreciate a distraction, a conversation.

She flinched back from the idea.

Still, it whispered tantalizingly to her and she shivered, wanting so much to believe.

Beside her, her sister, Hanabi, turned to look at her inquisitively. Hinata hung her head. No doubt the younger girl could see all the weaknesses and indecisiveness that filled her and resolved to be superior in this way as well. Every day, it seemed, more incredulous disappointment was added to the little girl's eyes.

Hinata turned back towards the warmth.

He was paying more attention now as the performers traced through their starting motions. He was sticking his tongue out and making weird faces. The Uchiha he was directing them at—Sasuke, she thought—remained unfazed.

Naruto huffed, sliding back into his seat. Then, he turned, meeting her eyes and offering a sheepish grin at his antics.

It was the best start to a conversation Hinata could hope for, an open invitation to all of the fantastical possibilities she'd imagined.

"Eep!" She squeaked turning away as her face burned. All the while, she berated herself for the action. And, glancing back at Naruto, she knew it was the wrong thing to do. He looked equal parts confused and put off by her weirdness.

Hinata pulled in tighter on herself, praying desperately for her comfortable jacket instead of the formal kimono that she wore.

Weapons were drawn on stage.

Then, as if remembering he left the stove on, Naruto popped out of his seat and slipped down the stairs.

Gone.

She saw him join Sakura below. More pleasant company, she was sure.

His absence hurt more than anything else thus far. She had failed, truly, spectacularly. She hadn't talked to him. At worst, she had insulted him. At best, she had made an utter fool of herself.

Most of all, she hadn't tried. Like so many times before, she had let her fear rule her. She hadn't done better. She hadn't spoken up. She hadn't believed. She had been a failure, a loser, a disappointment.

But, through the darkness of her thoughts, a voice whispered to her: I don't give up, it said. I stand by what I say, it said. I never go back on my word, it said.

It was her voice, she knew, whispered to herself in the dead of night and early morning, a mantra that she wanted so desperately to live by.

Next time, she promised herself, next time she would talk to him. Next time, she would do better.

Yes.

It was much easier to say these things now that he was far away.

The scene from the ceremony eventually ended. It was a bloody affair, leaving Hinata quietly uncomfortable. It was not the correct emotion, she knew.

She was shocked when Naruto returned to his seat beside her. She had assumed he would spend the rest of the ceremony with Sakura.

That meant next time was...now.

She had made a promise. Now was her chance. She didn't go back on her word...!

But Hinata was too aware of how difficult it was, too aware of her heart beating out of her chest and her face flushing red, too aware of her father, too still and too perceptive, judging her from above. Her sister practically rolled her eyes beside her.

Hinata wanted to say something.

Hinata twiddled her thumbs nervously, paralyzed with fear of the path laid out before her.

"We're not supposed to leave our seats, you know," Hanabi's disapproving voice said cutting through Hinata's thoughts.

Naruto regarded her lazily. "So?"

"You broke the rules." When he didn't respond, she continued, "That's not good."

"Eh," Naruto said, his characteristic smile returning to his face, "Rules were meant to be broken. Besides, I came right back." Hanabi did not look convinced as she glared. "Jeez, relax, little Hyuuga. It's no big deal."

"My name is Hyuuga Hanabi and you will address me as such," Hanabi said, demanding respect from the declaration just as their father had taught them. Then, almost as an afterthought, "And you already know my sister."

Naruto looked amused. "Oh, it's Hanabi," he said drawing the word out. He chuckled. "Well then, little Hanabi, remind me to never introduce you to a little viper." He shook his head with a rueful smile. Then, "Hey, Hinata, how've you been?"

It took Hinata a second to process what she'd heard. She flinched, but managed to keep herself from squeaking. "Ah, um, h-hi, Naruto..." She glanced up at him. His eyes were bright and kind, with a tinge of concern behind them. There was no trace of the anger and disgust she'd expected. For a moment, she was lost, staring into them, before remembering the rest of the question. "I-I-I'm well."

Her fingers pressed together.

"Sweet! You're on a team with Kiba and...err," he trailed off.

"Shino?"

"Yeah, right! How's that? Kiba must be a total pain, the mutt," he chuckled, "and, Shino must be, er, however Shino is."

"It's good?" She said. He smiled back in acceptance. "I'm l-lucky to be on a team with them." Nothing terrible had happened yet, Hinata observed, so she continued, "Y-y-you are on a team with S-Sakura and Sasuke, r-right?"

"Oh yeah, that's great! Sasuke's a loveable ass and Sakura's just loveable! We get along great, kicking ass and taking names! Oh and our sensei, of course, he's the worst! I mean he's not as bad as I thought he was, but he's still pretty bad, you know? He loves beating us up and making up ways to beat us up..." His voice trailed off. "He's actually in the hospital right now though."

Hinata knew that. Everyone did. "I know. I'm sorry."

He shook his head, shrugging it off.

"I-I-I-Is it true that you k-k-killed S-Sasori of the Red Sand?" She stuttered out quickly. She could hardly believe the rumors of Team 7's ill-fated mission. Could she dare to imagine her idol overcoming S-Rank threats?

Naruto perked back up with a grin. "Well, I don't want to brag or anything," he started, "but, yeah! Pretty much!"

Hinata gaped at him, starstruck. Amazing.

Naruto's hand found the back of his head as he laughed it off. "Nah, not really. Obito-sensei actually did most of the fighting, but we helped out a little bit, I guess. Came back alive and all that. We better have for how much Obito-sensei slapped us around." He shook his head. "Is your sensei like that?" He asked incredulously.

"Oh no, Kurenai-sensei is very kind," she started, "even when-" She cut herself off turning away from the blonde slightly. "E-even w-when I make mistakes on m-missions." Her eyes closed for a moment. "She is very kind."

Naruto shot her a sympathetic look, but Hanabi beat him to it. "Well, don't give up, onee-chan. Never give up," she said and Hinata could hear the slight mockery in her voice now. "Never go back on your word," she chimed.

Naruto looked at her with surprise. "That's what I was gonna say, little Hanabi! Who taught you that?"

"Oh, my sister says it all the time," Hanabi continued as Hinata's blood ran cold. "Don't give up. I stand by what I say. That's my nindo." The mockery was in full force now; Hanabi, young though she was, needed no such crutch to cling to.

No, Hinata thought despondently. Naruto was looking at her and he must have known, must now see her as obsessive, pathetic, weak, unworthy-

"No shit?" He said in surprise. "That's my nindo too! That makes us like nindo siblings?" Hinata sputtered beside him. "Nah, wait, like...whatever, it's pretty fucking cool! I never knew that about you, Hinata."

Hinata made some more unintelligible sounds, her face a bright red. She stayed like that for a long time, trying and failing to speak.

"Uh...is she feeling okay?"

"Oh, I'm sure she's just fine."

"Okay?"

And that was the last they spoke, the ceremony beginning once more.

In the dark of the night, two figures emerged, armed. Sakura recognized them as the respective clan heads wearing armor ceremonial to each clan.

Ryoshima and Fugaku stared down at each other, their hands clasping their weapons as they stood before the unmarked gravestone.

But they did not attack.

As one in an unspoken agreement, they reached up, unstrapping their armor, thick chestplates falling to the ground, Then arm guards, leg guards, on and on it went, the protection clanking to the floor in unison. The pace increased with each item removed, with less care shown for the valuable, ceremonial armor.

The frenetic pace finished in a blur of angry motion until each had only their swords at their sides, in their hands, at each other's throats. The scabbards clanged to the ground as they clutched the blades. Then, slowly, they raised their hands, drawing them along the sharp edge of the other's blade. Thick droplets of blood fell to the ground, joining those of the previous fighting. The blades as well fell together with a crash.

Two bloody hands clasped together.

And the clan roared in approval. Then, as one their hands traced through seals. Snake. Ram. Monkey. Boar. Horse. Tiger. They spun towards the center of the stage where the rock sat. Flames engulfed and destroyed it in an instant and the clan roared in approval once more.

The rock was broken and melted, hot slag seeping through the floor. It spread out from the center, filling in the pattern that had been prepared for it, fueled no doubt by stagehands in the background. There was a palpable tension in the air, a longing, as the symbol beneath them came fully into view.

Sakura felt a chill work its way down her spine as the Rinnegan glowed up at her and the crowd held its breath as one.

The clan heads walked until they stood back to back in the center of that symbol, their hands still dripping with blood. Concentric circles spread out from the center, where the blood of the Senju and Uchiha had mixed. The greatest gift, born from the cooperation of bitter enemies.

Sakura, like her clansmen around her, couldn't help wondering if these clan heads would develop the great and terrible power of the First and Second Hokage.

Other people had streamed back onto the stage, clan members from both clans. Where once they stood against each other, now they moved together in sequence warding off some unseen enemy. The crowd cheered once more.

The combined power of Uchiha Madara and Senju Tobirama had gifted each with the most perfect kekkai genkai known. It had happened much like this at the graveyard of Senju Hashirama, the village's Founder. Sworn enemies had pooled their power together in an attempt to accomplish the impossible, and heaven had rewarded them.

This, the power of cooperation and brotherhood, had led them through the First Shinobi World War.

At least, that was how the story went. Historians questioned when exactly they had acquired this power or whether it was even Madara's eyes that Tobirama had implanted. Because how could he when Madara still had his own eyes? Did they just grow back?

Regardless, a Senju with the eyes of an Uchiha and an Uchiha with the life force of a Senju gave birth to the Rinnegan.

Many times over the years as the clans integrated and before, people had tried to replicate the incredible feat. The lack of Rinnegan in the village demonstrated the lack of results.

These days the practice was all but abandoned for its many costly failures. Implanted sharingan eyes never worked as well as they did for their owner, consuming more chakra and unable to progress in ability. Transferring cells from the Senju to the Uchiha might confer an extra elemental affinity or chakra capacity, but it was even more problematic as loss of chakra control, rampant cancerous growths, and immune system rejection were common and potentially fatal.

Still, the hope was there, the roaring voices ever ready for that power to appear in the village for a fourth time.

Sakura understood now. As the clan thumped and roared and the molten rock seeped through the floor in that terrifying pattern, she understood her brother's hesitation. The Rinnegan was more than a symbol of friendly cooperation.

It was a symbol of power.

And with it came the promise of war. The war they craved and the war she knew well to fear.

"As you all know, this year Konohagakure will be sponsoring the upcoming Chunin Exams."

Sakumo spoke before the assembly of Jonin-sensei. Asuma and Kurenai were at the front with many others spilling out behind them.

"The Four Great Shinobi Villages have consulted with the daimyo of the relevant lands. Finally, it has been decided that the exams will be held...in the Land of Hot Springs."

There was a small commotion as the assembled Jonin digested the information. All thing considered, it was good news. The Land of Hot Springs was a wealthy country thanks to its vibrant tourist industry. The Chunin exams, in addition to being a proving ground for genin and substitute for war, was also a chance for the villages to attract the interest of the spectators, especially the host daimyo.

It was also well-known that the shinobi village that sponsored the exam had an advantage over other competitors. That village would submit the rules of the exams for approval.

"As always, the importance of these exams must not be understated, we want a good showing throughout the dangers that await. This is especially important for future business in the Land of Hot Spring and beyond."

There were some complicated details Sakumo needed to take care of as well.

This was not the isolated Chunin Exams of the past. Both allies and enemies would meet in a neutral country to prove themselves worthy. It was meant to be a substitute for war. But how effective it might truly be...

Impressive showings before the lords and ladies in attendance and around the world shifted the delicate balance of power. It meant everyone had a sense of just who was dangerous.

Nations of all sizes would send their top competitors. And, while Kiri, Kumo, Suna and Konoha were the largest nations, by sheer variety, they would be outnumbered by the numerous minor ninja villages, such as those that had once made up the Alliance in the previous war.

There was one minor village outside of that particular group which gave Sakumo pause. As Hokage, it was his duty to safeguard the village's interests. And he would.

Scanning the faces of the jonin, he knew what to do. Gai looked back at him with the telltale hints of excitement, no doubt eager to recommend his team.

"Any Genin who have completed the requisite 8 missions may apply. We'll start with-"

The doors opened abruptly.

"'Scuse me, sorry, sorry, 'scuse me, whoopsie!" Obito zig-zagged through the crowd to cause the most disruption.

Finally, Obito found himself near the front. He was still on crutches and had almost certainly snuck out of the hospital again. His face was drawn in. His movements still lacked their normal fluidity. He should have been in bed.

Kurenai shot him an irritated look. He shrunk back suddenly.

"Ahh," he shouted, falling as if struck, "genjutsu...my only...weakness."

"I-"

"Please, no!" His eyes were wide with fear.

"I didn't-

Then, he stopped abruptly, sitting up. "Wait a minute," A couple of the jonin chuckled. "I'm great against genjutsu! And it's not like you'd use one on an Uchiha." Then after a pause. "Well, not again."

"That was one time-"

"Enough," Sakumo intervened. Then, he turned to the Uchiha. "Obito, stop it."

He smiled back, his eyes full of mirth. "Of course, Hokage-sama. I'll be good."

Sakumo sighed. He was incorrigible.

Yet, beneath his silliness and bravado, he had a good heart. Sakumo still remembered how distraught he had been after the Eclipse, so lost. But Sakumo knew that it was that pain which had shaped him into the man and ninja he was today. Through it, he had rallied into a force with which to be reckoned.

He had made Sakumo proud.

And he had earned the respect of his fellow Jonin on the battlefield.

Sky Country was no more.

"As I was saying, we'll start with the least senior genin teams first..."

Obito woke abruptly.

He was once again laying in the soft confines of his hospital bed. He was still recovering, but he was nearly strong enough to actually be released.

There was a steady beep beep in the background, evidence to his beating heart if not its safety. He stretched out with his senses, his eyes remaining closed despite his wakefulness, and his suspicions were quickly confirmed.

He wasn't alone.

His visitor broke the silence. "Let's not stand on ceremony, old friend."

Obito opened his eyes and scowled. "You don't have friends, Danzo."

Danzo smiled thinly. "Partners then."

There was a pause. "Why now?"

Danzo tapped the cane he had no use for on the ground. "We've been ready for quite some time. However, you have been closely watched of late. Certain eyes were upon you; Sasori's people, it seems," Danzo lifted his cane to poke at Obito's IV tube, "And he was quite thorough." There was a pause. "Although, you managed to survive."

Obito didn't respond, waiting for him to get to the point.

"Such a close brush with death," Danzo continued, "Perhaps, it...affected your view on things."

And there it was. A challenge. Suspicion. It was spoken lightheartedly, but whether it was truly so or just another layer of deception was anyone's guess. Obito wasn't anyone.

He was no one.

"Only in this," the Uchiha intoned, "time is of the essence, let us begin."

Then, in an instant, they were gone.

A/N: Bleh, that still took longer than I thought it would.

And there's a part of me feels that maybe I should have left the chapters together anyway :P. I don't know. It's a little short, but I think it should be okay. As always, thanks for reading!

Also, I feel I have to mention the Indra/Ashura stuff from canon. It doesn't exist in this story (nor anything involving Kaguya). This is because it was stupid. That is all.

Thanks again!