Reviewers;
Guest Kit: It is the idea to say whether you are someone who would risk one life for many or be in the knowing that the people could in fact die and that you do not have the justice to kill to prevent something.
7th Demon of Razgriz: You need to change your profile to KakashiWannabee Demon...and where is the dragon? I'm not sure about hitting more than ten reviews per chapter anymore, but I am glad to have such reviewers and viewers that can reflect on my writing such as you.
Czar Joseph: Talking in 3rd person I see. That's great actually, and Sasuke will be explained throughly as time passes, though he is the main bad guy, but maybe not? ;) I guess we'll see.
Ryner510: Hey, I've never gotten a review from you before, so I want to acknowledge you and say that I appreciate your sense of urgency in your review. i am glad to bring suspense into your life, although on some level I know that you hate me for that ;)
St3rfire: What that means is that you wish to control the 'destiny' whatever it is, of the world. You have the preconception that what you do has an effect on others' lives. That is the meaning between the two options. Well, as for Sakura, you know...her magic shines 'pretty well' if you catch my drift. (Just to be clear, not a dirty reference(My friend started laughing))
ArtinusRose: Hey, I do not believe you have reviewed my stories before and so i want to thank you for reviewing for this one. As for sasuke, well...I hope you like the next few chapters...btw, are you NS and who do you pair with Sasuke, if at all?
Duh Bomb: pools of blood? Mmm, sounds ripe for a vampire story...damm! New story idea! Why oh why do you make me think of stories as I write a review for you? Devil inside Sakura is just about right; it is the other half of her persona, as in the anime, who wishes for all the things she could do if she wasn't Queen. I'll let you wonder how that will play out.
AN: Hey everyone! So, I had time today and wrote this up for you. I hope you liked to see the other side of Sakura, the one that would do things that a Queen just doesn't do...but now it comes to the time that our Queen chooses whether she will follow her people or stand up in their defense. Let us enter the transition into a most changing few chapters.
ANSWER: Glad to have everyone who answered the Question. And what it means from my Philosophy class is that if you push the guy off to save the others, you perceive that your actions, however small or far away, have an impact on people that you may or may not know personally. If you voted the other way, then you are someone who, while your own close relationships can be altered, it does not reach a major change in others' lives.
It is also suffice to say that people want to save everyone. My class held a three hour session in which people had a bowling ball, a telephone line to the operator to switch the tracks, and a cell phone to the kids playing on the tracks. So when all else fails, we must look to who we are inside ourselves, and understand why we personally do the things we do.
Fire & Ice
Arc 1: Conceal It
Chapter 16: To Fight or Flee
The morning sun rose up from a cloudy night, and for one Queen in particular, she stood in her throne room, wearing her traditional red silk blouse and black cotton skirt, with her pink and white gloves, brown colored boots, and a maroon fall coat that went down her body to below her knees. In front of her was the stain glass window that look out over the port and the northern gateway into her city. But if one stepped close enough as Sakura now was, they would see through the glass as if it were simply ordinary glass from an ordinary furnace room.
Now, Sakura stood before it, watching as the foreign ambassadors and Sasuke left her city, knowing that they would return with a huge navy and army at their backs. She supposed that she could have arrested them and put them in her dungeons, but then word would get out regardless that she was a vile witch who left none alive. And she could not have that. Her own people spread the truth even now, as they moved among their houses, no doubt preparing for the first war that the new generation had ever seen, and one that the old generation had wished to never see again.
A heavier body walked inside the room, the doors opening silently and closing by the hands of two royal knights on the inside and four on the outside of those great redwood doors. The Queen was to be protected at all times in war after all. The heavy figure continued forward though until he reached the steps and Sakura imagined the man bowing to her throne, before moving up the steps.
He made his way to her side, and Sakura didn't need to look to see the heavy black clothes that the man wore. He looked to her with his nice, gentle, and caring red and black eyes, waiting for her to speak first and so, Sakura breathed out.
"Why is it that your eyes always creep me out Itachi?"
"There were a few magical families mixed into our royal blood over the years, when the world was bloodier than it now is. It's why the Sharingan has been named after my family's eyes." Itachi smiled though. "I just expected that my family would inherit magical powers first, but God blessed the noblest of the noble, I suppose."
"I'm not that noble." Sakura objected.
"Maybe not, but your humility is better than most."
"So…" Sakura spoke determined, turning the conversation serious, "…how long do you believe until Sasuke arrives back here with an army?"
"Well, my best guess is that each of those foreigners will offer him maybe a ship and a crew of two hundred men each, and then there are the villages that have his own loyalties over mine as well as the islands he claimed a few years ago. I'd say he'd have around fifteen thousand soldiers in about two weeks' time.
"Unfortunately, if we used all of our forces to protect you, I have little doubt that Sasuke would use the opportunity to attack any of the other port cities, though the Nara would be useless to attack as they are further inland than most."
"How many would you suggest Itachi?"
"Do you see a military man in me, Sakura?"
"I see a man of sound mind."
"Alright…then I would guess around five thousand all together would come to your cause."
"So if I bring my army together, I'd have a defending army of around twelve thousand."
"Still a great defense to your city."
"But the siege would be terrible on everyone, even for Sasuke. He knows that I could use my powers to break his army apart."
"But he also sees the restrain you have on such an action, Sakura. And I would not want you on the battlefield. After all, their whole purpose is to kill you in the sake of killing some evil deity."
"Then…my people will die needlessly for my own life while I stand behind them, watching as they are starved for months on end?"
"That is the burden that the people are willing to make."
"…I don't know if I can allow for that, Itachi." Silence filled the room as Sakura and Itachi watched a small girl crying and hugging her mother who tried to calm her down. "My people are scared, and they will lose their lives, their property, and then women will be victory prizes. I can't allow that to happen. Not at all."
"What are you saying?"
"I am asking you Itachi….to abandon my city."
"Sakura, that is surely-"
"An idea to be thought over? I have done so all night. You know Itachi that Port Haruno is not easily defended. While we have cliffs, there are many docks unguarded and many ways through the chasms. There is no way that Sasuke can't get in with time and maneuvering and as soon as he does, my people will be at risk."
"So what are you planning then?"
"Sasuke wants me? He can have me, Itachi. I'll disable the weapons defending Port Haruno, and after Sasuke's men attack the city and have settled down, you attack the city with Sasuke inside it. He'll be destroyed and my people will be safe."
"-But without you, Sakura."
"Yes…I will leave the city to you Itachi, and Ino Yamanaka. I think that perhaps it is time that the Haruno rest and let you lead others into the future." Sakura spoke calmly and looked out at the sun arching over the sky, as Itachi watched her out of the corners of his eye, wondering why she would sacrifice herself for the continued safety of her people.
(Days Later)
Ten days passed as the sun rose and fell, as a mass exodus of people packed up everything they had in their carts and boxes and everything they had and began to make their way to the line of ships both big and small, from warships to sailing vessels, and making their way towards safety slowly but surely. However, as everyone moved towards the docks, one lone horseman moved the opposite way of the crowd and exited the city's outer gate, with a wolf at their side.
Sakura made her way through the forest, her eyes following the fur of her wolf, Tanya, as she ran around Sakura, searching for anything and everything that peaked her natural curiosity. Tanya was almost two years old now, and that made her still a pup, so she loved to chase things both big and small.
Sakura just continued forward, her eyes glistening with hidden tears, until she reached the canyon walls. Tanya immediately joined her at her side, for the canyons were narrow, and after a few hours, the sun had reached its zenith in the sky, and Sakura got off her horse as she saw the meadow of sanctuary that she wanted to call home.
"Tanya," Sakura called out and soon nodded to her pet , and Tanya sprang forward into the clearing, leaving the meadow as much as her master. Sakura stepped into the grass, taking care to leave on her boots as she could walk away faster. To think, she'd never see this place again. No, maybe in her afterlife, an image of this field would be forever playing in her death's landscape.
She didn't want anyone to die with her when Sasuke invaded. Already, half of her guards had left, and the rest helped the citizens keep moving towards the docks. She had evacuated the farmers first and moved inwards, and though the pace was slow, the last ship of refugees should leave by the morning of the suggested invasion day in four days.
Sakura had received word that Sasuke had just a day ago pushed out of his personal docks with many ships and going for a naval assault on Port Haruno with indeed fifteen thousand soldiers at his back. He was going to get here very soon, and then the siege or invasion would engulf Sakura's city. But still no one would die with her, a secret she hoped to keep as long as possible out of Sasuke's ears.
Sakura whistled a soft tune, and Tanya turned her head and scampered over and Sakura bent down to pet her wolf, and hugged her hard, making her strong wolf whimper at the power inside the hug. Sakura cast a glance around and smiled as tears stung her eyes.
The water would last for years, and Sakura had over the last few days come here to drop off carcasses and meats that would last for a few weeks. Now, came the hardest part. Sakura sniffled and leaned back, her fingers rubbing the soft fur under Tanya's eyes and throat, making her wolf close her eyes and release a soft wolf like purr.
"Tanya…I'm sorry." Sakura said as Tanya cocked her head and licked her hands, but then Sakura stood up, her bare hands dropping to her sides. Tanya nudged them with her muzzle, but Sakura stepped back and back as Tanya began to follow her master.
"Tanya...Stay." Sakura spoke, but her voice failed her as the crying bubbled up. Sakura looked behind her. Ten feet to the entrance. Sakura looked back, and saw Tanya moving her paw forward. "No Tanya. Sit."
Tanya sat and whimpered and Sakura shook her head sadly. She couldn't let her pet, and only reminder of Naruto die. Tanya would live a happy life up here where the fighting would not be. Three feet to go, and Tanya stood on her feet and slinked forward a few inches, dragging her body along the soft dew.
"NO! Bad Tanya! Stay!" Sakura's voice crumpled and Sakura ran for the entrance. Tanya yipped and ran towards her. Sakura turned away and raised her hand, as ice in the shape of a clear wall of ice formed from the ground and surged five feet up and continued to rise.
Tanya jumped, and Sakura cried as Tanya whimpered as her face and body hit the wall that she had created and the wall rose up until it reached the top of the canyon walls. She didn't have to wear her gloves anymore with no more secrecy, so her people wouldn't mind seeing this from the canyon walkways.
Tanya whimpered restlessly and tried to claw through the ice, but Sakura just shook her head, and got on her horse. "I'm sorry Tanya...I love you." Sakura turned and spurred her horse out of the canyon as fast as it could take her. The ice would melt in a few weeks and then Tanya would be free to find her own kind up here, ...where she belonged.
Sakura made it to the forest before she heard it. A betraying howl, one that was asking and pleading for help, and Sakura galloped forward to what awaited her. Now, she just had one more thing to deal with and all would be set for her execution.
(Days later)
Four days later, the morning sun was rising in the throne room, and a morning fog covered the port in a nice mist that stayed over the harbor, delaying the invasion until that of midday. Sakura stood before the stain glass window, in a royal red gown with white sleeves down her arms. The gown was made and worn for one occasion, the death of a royal family member. Sakura had worn this for a week after her parent's death and now she wore it again. She would die wearing it, and nothing could sway her away from her decision.
Sakura looked down at the last few ships in the harbor, and the royal sloop, ready to leave as soon as the last royal was safely aboard. That being said, the door to the throne room opened, and Sakura's braided hair flicked sideways as she looked towards the sound before Ino appeared walking down the grand hall, wearing a deep purple gown with gold flecks that looked like eagles, her royal family's animal.
Behind Ino followed four knights with her, and they stopped at the steps as Ino walked up and hugged her friend who hugged Ino back just as hard as tears welled up in their eyes.
"I take it everyone has left?" Sakura asked as they stepped apart.
"Yes, now we're just waiting on you." Ino spoke, and Sakura cast her eyes down in sadness.
"...Ino, you know I'm staying."
"Exactly!" Ino exclaimed, and held Sakura's hands at arms' length. Sakura had chosen to wear her gloves in remembrance of her family and Ino smiled as the tears fell out of her eyes and down her cheeks. "Word is out that you will be in Port Haruno, so now you can leave and Sasuke will attack an empty city. It's perfect!"
"Ino…no."
"Please, Sakura! I don't want to lead Your People!" Ino sniffled, "They need you and they love your powers as well as you!"
"You will lead My people, for they will be Yours soon, Ino. You are now Ino Yamanaka-Haruno. In you is now the mark of my family." Sakura sniffled and rubbed Ino's upper chest and shoulders where the white circle was now embedded into her own purple gown. "I trust in you."
"Then…I'm staying." Ino persisted.
"You will do no such thing!" Sakura shook her friend roughly, but Ino simply stepped back out of arm's reach.
"You can't make me leave."
"Ino, as my retainer, you will leave me here."
"I will not!"
Sakura sighed. "I knew you would do this, so I planned ahead."
"W-what do you mean?" Ino asked before gloved metallic hands grabbed hold of her arms and Ino looked to see the knights holding her and holding her back. "N-no. S-Sakura, Please!"
"As my final order to you, my Knights." Sakura cried, but held firm, as she turned around and her eyes set on the horizon. "I am to be the only living person in all of Port Haruno."
"Yes, My Queen." The knights spoke solemnly and dragged Ino down the hallway.
"S-Sakura! Please! Come with me! Please!" Ino begged and struggled and pulled before she was thrust out and the doors were closed and locked as icy winds followed all the knights of the city, freezing every door in place with bars of ice, and soon the gatehouses were closed as ice coated the insides of the wooden and metal doors, locking Sakura inside her own city.
Sakura soon looked down to see Ino walking onto the royal sloop, followed by the last fifty knights of the city, and the sloop undid their ropes and moved out to sea. A shiver went down Sakura's body to her hand as the mound of a cold nose touched her hand.
Sakura gasped and looked down to see her wolf, Tanya….sitting beside her. "W-Where did- How did you-" Sakura began before she looked to Tanya's white paws to see them brown with dirt. Sakura sighed. Tanya dug underneath the wall of ice.
Sakura bent down and scratched her wolf's ears as Tanya whimpered and nuzzled her master. Sakura hugged her close and sighed. "I guess I could use a friend at my side, but you stay away when they enter this room, you hear? You stay out of sight? Stay. Understand?" Sakura asked and Tanya yipped and Sakura stood up, watching the royal sloop leave the city. All was well.
Meanwhile, outside the fogbank, a man of twenty and black hair watched with his red eyes at the line of ships leaving the harbor of the city. He smiled darkly and signaled to his captain. "Bring me one of those ships."
"Aye Sir!"
'So, she wants to save her people, does she? She'll have to do one more thing for me then.' Sasuke smiled darkly, as another figure, encased in a dark wisp of black smoke surrounded her body, and eternal tears etched her smiling face.
"Well done, Sasuke. Just remember our deal, and you will thrive."
"I know...Akhlys."
AN: New Character...new chapter...what will I plan next? Also, who is Akhlys?
Question: What would you do with $100,000? Keep it all? Share? Give to Charity? Tell me your ideas!