yet, at the heart of daybreak…

(chapter 4)

"What do you mean, '…why have I returned here?' What do you know about me? Who are you?" Sasuke's hand returned to the hilt of his sword, now put off by the old man's words and sharply on guard. He watched the monk shuffle over to the back altar where he leaned the broom on a nearby wall and reached for his bag that was below on the floor, a few inches from where he stood. He then walked over to the raised ledge of where the altar stood and sat down, opening his bag and pulling out several wrapped packages, which he didn't hesitate to unfurl to reveal sweet rice balls and bread. Sasuke watched the smile return as the man called out.

"Please, young one, you must be tired. From wherever you may have journeyed, your body would do well with a bit of rest and food. It is not much, but I will happily share with you all that I have." His head bowed slightly and Sasuke watched intently for a few moments, and after determining no malice within the man's offer, he walked closer to the altar and took a seat on his right side a few feet away. He reached gingerly for a rice ball and took a modest bite, chewing it thoroughly before swallowing. He could tell the older man was pleased with his accepting his offer but was to proud to admit that he was grateful for the small meal, as he hadn't eaten all day.

"It was you. That day…you were the one that took…Naruto…away." His head was slightly bowed, looking down to the floor from where he sat. His dark hair, which had grown longer over the last few months, going without a haircut, shielded his face from the monk, whom he could tell had glanced over in his direction briefly.

"…Yes, it was I."

"Hm."

He could feel the man shift for something beside him. The soft crinkle of paper resounded between the two and Sasuke knew the man had reached for something else to eat.

"May I ask, what brought you to the temple? Surely it was not to pay respect, as I had not seen you here before then, and surely it was not to aid Yuu?" Sasuke's head rose as he looked across the room and out into the hallway through the gaping hole that needed mending…the hole that Naruto created…

He was at a loss. Just what had brought him to the temple almost a month ago? Was it because he had thought that he had seen his old teammate? So what if he did? And why was it on his mind after all this time? His lips parted to speak but stopped abruptly before any words formed.

"It is said that those who sojourn to the Benjiro Temple, come seeking to center the peace that was taken from them…whether it was through choice or by force…" Sasuke could feel his heart rate increase as the words hit his ears; he continued to train his eyes upon the floor. "Those who come….all feel lead of their own accorded, and are said that the purity of the two guardians are what draws them in."

"Guardians?"

"Many believe that the two legendary warriors, for whom this temple is commissioned, still reside in the world to preserve the peace." He could hear the old man sigh and he thought back to the silkscreen he saw in the main hall. The depiction of the two warriors posed against the throng of attackers around them…the two swords in their hands…Were those the "guardians" of which the old monk spoke?

"The two swords that were once housed in this temple were all that were collected and preserved from Nakamura Akemi and Matsumoto Tasogare after their disappearance centuries ago. The country I am from had commissioned my small village of Tayamura with the upkeep and protection of the temple, more specifically, being the responsibility of the village's monastery. Every few cycles, a few monks or I would travel out to this temple to offer guidance to pilgrims or to polish the swords in this room."

Sasuke's head lifted as he looked at the monk for the first time since joining him on the altar steps. "That sword…the man who gave me the one that was left behind…he said that you believed that the guardians had returned. He said that you thought Naruto was one of them." Sasuke's eyes followed the monk as he suddenly stood up, gathering his satchel in one hand and collecting the papers he had the food wrapped in the other. He hoisted the pack over his left shoulder before turning back to the young shinobi; his eyes closed in a smile, much like that what resembled his old teacher…

"It is true, young one, that I was once convinced that the founders of our country had indeed found their way back through another generation, and after meeting Naruto, I was sure of it."

"Was…?"

"I can see much purity in you, though it is clouded with doubt. Forgive me if I seem intrusive, but a belief in fate can lead you to believe the given path is the only path. What I saw that night…between you and Naruto, is very much like the two for whom this place honors. Perhaps I am foolish to cling to the old ways…to think that their spirits are with us. But I do not believe that I am far from any truths any longer. The two swords called out to the two of you, regardless of the thinking." He turned again and headed to the room's doorway. He posture, Sasuke noted, was slightly hunched. He turned again, just as he reached the threshold.

"Many apologies. I must start the journey back to my village. Sad to say, I must start earlier than usual on my return trip in my recovering form. Will you be joining me?" Sasuke was taken aback by the directness of his questions, which came across more like a statement. He eyed the man's slightly turned face a few feet away, his eyes offering that smile. The old man spoke once more. "I'm sure the answers you are unaware that you are seeking can be gathered with a bit more conversation…at least for the night?" And he turned to leave the room. A few moments later, Sasuke was right behind…

***

The faint sound of the sliding door resounded in his ears as he dropped his backpack in a corner of the modestly dim room, his new lodgings throughout the course of his mission. He was tired, and raising his left arm slightly to rotate it at his shoulder blade, he was reminded of the intense work he had done in the village, vigorously pushing himself to his limits as he went into verbal and physical competition with Rock Lee, as they assisted the villagers in their restoration. Of course, the two shinobi went beyond the brink of "pushing it"; carrying several stacks of planks and several buckets of mortar all at once to each site they were assisting, often alleviating the work away from the on-site villagers, before they were called away to dinner, being prodded over by the sweet old Elder Sun. His hand drifted down to rub his belly lazily, remembering the old woman, who happily shoveled her self-proclaimed "revitalizing curry" into the young men's bowls, much to Rock Lee's delight and Neji's disdain.

What he craved now was a hot bath in the town's hot springs, hoping to take his mind away from that day's work and finally saying goodbye to his "baby-sitters"; seeing as they were headed back to Konoha at the first sight of light. However, he was deterred; convinced by his escorting monk, that there were sufficient bathing facilities within the hidden temples, plus, it was imperative that he was on their grounds before Elder Isao's return.

"Speaking of which, where is that old man? I haven't seen him all day. I thought that monk said that he was already here?" Naruto begin unzipping his orange and black jumper jacket, tossing it haphazardly on a chair's back as he walked past it to stand within the doorway of his room. The evening air was cool to his skin, dampened by the early day's work, and he could feel the breeze within his drying hair. In the distance, he could hear the faints shouts of what he knew was neat rows of white robed monks, engaged in evening practices. He could practically hear their forceful "kiya!" and the number of arms that would thrust out simultaneously.

Turning to go inside, he trotted over to a polished cubby in another part of the room, where he had seen a stack of neatly folded towels. Grabbing one from the top, he trotted back over and out of the door; his footsteps clamoring down the few steps that lead away from his room and onto a well-worn path, where he was told by his escort, would lead to the bathhouse. He could hear his footsteps as he trampled over fallen leaves and twigs, as he pressed towards a small circular building a few feet away from him in a clearing. Even before he could get very near it, he could feel the warmth of the spring, and it pepped his footsteps more spritely as he sprinted towards the open door and into a large room littered with long wooden benches and the same cubbies that he had in his dorm, lining the walls. He walked over to one and began to strip, folding his pants and boxers and placing them into one of the shelves closet to him. He then wrapped his towel tightly around his waist and walked towards the opposite end of the large room and out into the back patio, where the warm steam of the spring enveloped him into an instant relaxed state. He had walked over to the pool's edge and dipped his toe in, allowing his body a moment to adjust the temperature, before completely removing his towel and sinking down into the water below.

He was instantly calmed, the day's ordeal adrift away from his mind and into the quickly approaching nightfall. His eyes closed as he head leaned back to rest upon the rim of the pool and it wasn't long before he breathing became steady and easy as he allowed his body to drift off to sleep.

"Akemi!" A sharp pair of dark eyes burrowed into a gleaming pair of blues ones several feet before him.

"Brother." The voice was almost to low to hear within close range, had it not been the echo of the hallowed halls of the palace. The figure turned about, slowly, his armor chiding softly with his movements. He was before him now, the feelings in his heart reflecting in the onyx eyes within his view.

"Together. It is how we did everything, was not? From the beginning of time to the end of forever, we would fight together, side by side! Why have you broken that today, brother?"

"When you forgot the reason we fight. Have you forgotten, brother, why we were endowed with these gifts? We were to protect our people-"

"And preserve prosperity for our country!" The man took a few steps forward, his footsteps heavy with every step.

"And should our people suffer at the hands of a tyrant to ensure that prosperity? Should we serve a man whose only value is the coin? There's no honor in that." The approaching man halted at the words; piercing his ears as sharply as a sword. Suddenly his words softened as he pleaded with the dark eyes in front of him.

"Tasogare, please, brother…it is our gift…and our curse…we are bound to the land…to the people. The power we were given, thrust upon us by fate, wielded by us through the blades of our swords; it was as if the gods themselves had birthed in us their power. To change the lands as we know it into a place of peace. You have heard, new factions are developing across many countries. The way of the samurai is slowly fading and being replaced by mercenaries. If we don't stand now, our people will become divided, driven by greed and domination."

"And to what, Akemi? If we become divided in our thinking on this matter our country will fall! Brother, the emperor…yes, I agree, there is no honor in his conquest, but let us pursue his wishes in theory only. If he believes we are doing his will, then we will be more successful in maintaining the peace within our borders and thus spreading our message further than we ever dreamed! Please, Akemi! Stand with me! Believe me…"

A sharp stinging sensation was shooting through his right arm and the feeling jerked Naruto awake. He thrust and gasped about a few moments, trying to grasp his surroundings, his body readjusting to the warm water sloshing about him as his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting that was now illuminating around the hot spring. He could feel a few eyes on him as he noticed that he was no longer alone in the tub, but a few monks had entered, relaxing after hours of practicing in the yard. His face flushed a bright red as he reached behind him to wrap his towel about himself and head back towards the circular house, where he slid on his jumper pants and slippers. He draped the white towel he once wore, about his shoulders, and headed back out towards his lodgings. The night air was cool and nocturnal creatures were scurrying within the shadows of the trees, hunting under the cover of night. The porch light of his cabin shone through a few trees on the path and he was glad to see it finally, his mind trying desperately to shake away the strange dream he had back at the springs. At least he thought it was a dream. The images were so vivid and the men talking seemed strangely familiar…

"Ah…that's what I get for falling asleep in the pool…ugh!" His hand drifted to rub the back of his neck as he climbed the few stairs to the door and pushed it open. He was greeted by the warm glow of a table lamp and a familiar face seated on the rug in the center of the floor.

"Old man Isao!"

"Young one. Welcome! Thank you for honoring my request. Did you find you travels well?" He had a cup in his hand where steam was wafting. He leaned over slightly to hand another steaming cup to Naruto, who walked over to the rug, sat down and, brought the cup to his lips, satisfied with the warm and pleasant flavor of green tea that followed. "Where have you been all day? Those monks of yours kept saying you here at the temples but I hadn't seen a glimpse of you!" A slight pout graced his face and the monk couldn't help but smile fondly at the look.

"I do apologize, but I had an urgent matter to attend to, some place else. Thank you for you and your comrades lending you aid today. I heard that the restoration is a few days ahead of schedule. Naruto couldn't help his sheepish grin as he thought about the energetic work he and Rock Lee performed. He sat his cup down and stretched audibly as his yawn echo about the small room.

"Sorry, Isao-san, I may have overdone it today. I can barely keep my eyes open."

"I understand, young one, however, there is a more pressing issue that must be addressed before you retire. Ah, it seems that our other guest is now ready to join us." Isao's smiling eyes faced another door that lead to a short hallway in the cabin where two pairs of eyes faced each other...