Chapter Ten
It took Naruto fifteen minutes before he finally returned to the roof of the academy building where Sakura had been engaging Sasuke in a one-sided conversation. He chuckled awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his blond head with his right hand. Sakura's eyebrow lifted in amusement while Sasuke smirked unseen behind his folded hands.
"Well then," Sakura said as she stood and dusted off her training dress. "Now that we're all here, are we ready to go?"
"Hai," Naruto said sheepishly while Sasuke gave a light shrug before standing.
"Alright, but first…" Sakura paused as she swung on Naruto a stern, no-nonsense look on her face as she poked her finger forcefully against his chest. "Where we are about to go is a secret Naruto. Got that? Se-ce-ret. That means that you can't tell anyone, not even Kyo-oji-san or Kairi-oba-san. Not even Ichigo-chan or even Akira-kun! Got it?"
Naruto rolled his eyes before he gently removed his cousin's hand from his chest. "Yeah, yeah. I got it. I won't tell anyone."
"Do you swear?"
"Oh for goodness sake!" He said. "Fine, what do you want me to swear on?"
"Your future Hokage medallion." She said with all seriousness.
Naruto blinked in surprise before his features softened. "Alright. I swear by the medallion of the Hokages that I won't tell a soul."
"Great!" Sakura said, her usual chipper attitude once again in place. "Then let's go cause I really want to go swimming!"
Sakura didn't notice the slight blush on Sasuke's cheeks when she said that but Naruto did. Fortunately for both him and Sakura, Naruto completely misinterpreted it. Well…maybe it was only fortunate for Sakura.
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Once Naruto had gotten over his initial shock ("This is where we're going to train? Sugoi!") Sakura quickly stripped down to her shorts and thick strapped tank top so that she could dive into the pool beneath the waterfall. Both boys watched her glide through the water for several minutes before Naruto looked over at the dark haired boy and smirked.
"So," He said. "Do you like her?"
Sasuke nearly choked.
"What! Why would you ask something like that?"
Naruto shrugged. "Well, you blushed when Sakura-chan was talking about swimming so it's obvious that you were thinking something that you shouldn't."
"…I'm not you dobe," Sasuke said as he turned away to hide another small blush. He, of course, couldn't deny that he had been thinking about Sakura when she had mentioned swimming earlier; especially since the only time he had ever seen her swimming she had been wearing practically nothing. He forced down a shudder at the thought of Naruto ever learning about that particular incident.
"Hey you guys!" Sakura called from where she now stood atop the water. "Let's have a race and see who can climb the waterfall the fastest!"
Sasuke was about to decline when Naruto jumped up.
"Yosh!" He said. "I'll totally beat Sasuke-teme! No contest!"
Sasuke glared and stood as well, pulling off their shoes so that they wouldn't get wet. "You can try dobe."
"What did you call me!"
"…Dobe."
"Why you—!"
"Boys!" Sakura said. "Save your energy for the race. You're going to need it if you plan to beat me."
Sasuke would have felt sorry for her if he had the ability too. After all, it would be rather humiliating for her to lose after making such a boast, but still, a challenge was a challenge and there was no way he would back down.
Once the three were positioned at the edge of the pool Sakura showed them a small explosive tag that she had pulled out of her weapon pouch.
"This will be our signal. Once it explodes we'll go."
Both boys nodded once as Sakura attached the note to a small rock and threw it behind her. The rock landed with a soft thud and two seconds later a 'pop' was heard as the tag blew and the three teammates raced each other across the top of the pool before leaping up to attach their feet to the falling water and rush up vertically.
Naruto only made it about half way before he adjusted his chakra just the slightest bit too much and found himself falling with a yelp into the pool below. Sasuke quickly reached the top and smirked when he looked down and saw that neither of his teammates were there which could only mean that they had both fallen.
"No challenge…"
"I agree although I thought that since Kyo-jii-san was the one teaching him he would have been able to make it at least a little bit higher than he did. I'll have to make sure that I tell him when we get back so that he can make sure Naruto trains harder."
Sasuke was so startled by the sound of Sakura's voice that he almost jumped. Almost.
"Haruno…"
Sakura shrugged and clasped her hands together behind her back. "What? You didn't actually think that I had fallen did you?"
Sasuke turned away. "Hn."
She giggled and stretched her arms up above her head. "Sorry to disappoint, but how about another race?"
Again Sasuke's eyebrow rose.
"A race to the bottom."
He shrugged and started focusing his chakra in his feet once again before a flash of pink and green ran passed him. He stared, startled once again, as Sakura launched herself from the cliff in a perfect dive. After she hit the water he watched as she came up for air and laughed.
"Beat you!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes but despite his irritation he couldn't help but smirk. It was true since she hadn't said how they were going to race.
"They're exactly alike…" he said, his face thoughtful. "Aside from their obvious differences…"
Sakura was, after all, a girl.
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Hikari stared through the open shoji door as she absently slid her needle along the embroidery pattern traced on the lining of her wedding kimono. The silk fabric was smooth and cool beneath her fingers as she expertly weaved the needle and thread in and out. She would have continued on in this manner for possibly hours had the sudden voice of her cousin not startled her into pricking her finger.
Not wanting her blood to stain the crisp white fabric, Hikari swiftly placed the injured digit into her mouth before turning to face the guilty face of her red haired cousin.
"What is it Ichigo?" She said once the bleeding had stopped. "Is something wrong? You look a little upset."
Ichigo pressed her lips together tightly in debate before she let out a small sigh and slid away from beside Hikari to sit cross legged in front of her.
"Nee-chan," she said. "I…I was wondering what was going to happen with…with the Uchiha clan."
Hikari's head tilted lightly to the side in confusion causing Ichigo to flush and duck her head in embarrassed guilt.
"I know that I shouldn't have been eves dropping but I was really worried."
"Ah," Hikari said in understanding before she gently set her embroidery aside. "You were there during the Uchiha council."
Ichigo just nodded.
Hikari was silent for a moment as she contemplated her options. She could tell Ichigo everything but that would not only befuddle the poor girl but it would also involve her in affairs that were strictly Uchiha matters. Then again, with what she had heard it would be difficult for Ichigo not to draw up her own incorrect conclusions; especially in regards to the challenge between Kenta and Itachi.
"I won't have to marry Kenta you know." Hikari finally said, smiling when Ichigo's head jerked up in surprise.
"But…but Kenta-san said that if he beat Itachi in a challenge…"
"Ah, but first he would have to defeat Itachi." Hikari said with a small smile. "Something that would never happen. And if, by some freak of nature, he did actually manage to beat Itachi Kyo-nii-san would just cancel the contract with the Uchiha clan."
Ichigo's eyes were wide. "Can he do that? It wouldn't start a clan war?"
"There is always the possibility," Hikari said. "But since we are closely allied with the Hyuuga clan thanks to prior…uh…'arrangements' we would have their support. Not to mention Hokage-sama would never allow the Uchihas to subjugate me to their clan against my will."
Ichigo thought for a moment before she nodded. "Oh."
"Is that all you were worried about?"
"Yes…"
Hikari's eyebrow rose and Ichigo smiled sheepishly.
"…No…"
"Well?"
"…What's going to happen to Sasuke-san? Won't he be targeted now that he isn't under Itachi-sama's protection?"
Hikari's face grew solemn and she pinched her fingers against the bridge of her nose to ward off a sudden headache.
"Yes." She said honestly. "There will be a lot of people that will target Sasuke-kun for revenge."
Ichigo's eyes were wide. "W-what if he's killed?"
"Itachi and Yotaro have set up a lot of road blocks for anyone with the idea set in their minds, the largest being that Yotaro got Sasuke an apartment in the ANBU district. Unfortunately there are quite a few Uchihas in the ANBU force; though thankfully none of them live near Sasuke."
"So…he's safe?"
Hikari shrugged. "Only time can really tell Ichigo, but at the moment he is about as safe as he can be under the circumstances. Fortunately, once the wedding is over next week Kyo will be free to take Sasuke on as a ward without there being any negative effect on Itachi and I."
At last Ichigo relaxed, letting out a long sigh.
"That's good." She said. "I was afraid that he would be killed, and then Sakura-nee-chan would be sad."
Hikari laughed as she reached out to ruffle the redhead's short hair.
"Yes she most certainly would be! And a sulky Sakura is a very irritating Sakura, ne?"
"Hai!" Ichigo nodded brightly and soon her laughter joined in with Hikari's until they eventually tired themselves out.
Completely relieved now, Ichigo smiled once more and said good-bye to her older cousin before she skipped from the room to practice her katas in the second dojo. Once she was gone Hikari turned back to her embroidery, but this time her pace was considerably slower as she thought back on her conversation with Ichigo.
Unfortunately she hadn't been completely honest with the other girl in regards to Sasuke becoming a ward of the Haruno clan. It was entirely possible that with Itachi and Hikari married the Uchiha council would refuse to consent to Sasuke being placed in her clan's care since the Harunos would then be connected to the Uchihas.
Her fist clenched unconsciously on the fabric of her kimono. It had been hard enough to get the council to submit to the marriage arrangement at all since Naruto was listed on the Haruno clan registry. They had said that one monster in their family was bad enough.
Now that Sasuke had been stricken from the clan she knew that their next step would be to keep him as far away as possible, and if the Harunos took Sasuke in then the council could possibly force a separation between Itachi and Hikari.
Since divorce was not an available option to those who participate in the 'binding ceremony' they would still be legally married, but Hikari would be stricken from the Uchiha registry and left without a clan. Also, if that happened, Itachi would have to take on a mistress in order to produce an heir to the clan. Hikari shuddered at the thought.
She was completely torn. To live happily with the man she loved could very possibly cost Sasuke's life, but to save Sasuke's life could also just as likely cost her own in an even more painful manner.
Hikari quickly shook her head, banishing her gloomy thoughts before she forced herself to concentrate completely on her kimono. What will come, will come and she will make her decisions then. Until that time she would wait and see. After all, like she told Ichigo, only time will tell.
End Chapter Ten
Kaliea: So what did you think? I'm not exactly happy with it but hey, it is an update. Anyway, don't forget to review!
Review Answers:
Anime Insaniac: A lot of people hold grudges against Naruto because of Kyuubi and through Naruto the Haruno clan since they willingly took him in. That's one of the reasons that Ami could possibly get away with having her grandfather interfere. On the other hand, if he did he would have to face, not only the Harunos, but by connection the Hyuugas (that arrangement will be made known later) and the Uchihas because of Itachi and Hikari's marriage. By logic it's not something that any sane person would attempt. However, there are other alliances she can make that don't include anyone of power and yet will still be devastating to those in the line of fire.
Dragon Man 180: I don't know, in the Shinobi world the rules of abuse seem to be a lot different. Take Itachi and Sasuke, I would call it abuse that Itachi left his brother to live in a mental hell so that he could pluck his eyes from his head six years down the line. When you take that into account a little thump on the head seems rather minor. I'm not saying it's okay, just that it's the way Naruto and Sakura act towards each other. If it were really a problem then Kyo and Kairi would put a stop to it since they act that way at home too. Besides, I really doubt that Naruto would let Sakura get away with really hurting him. He's not that kind of person.
Kaliea: Thanks for your reviews! I hope that you enjoyed the chapter!
