A.N.
Bless all of those who have reviewed, faved, and followed my story. I really, truly appreciate it!
If you have not kept up with the manga from here on out there may be spoilers.
Disclaimer: Naruto does NOT belong to me.
Sayuri and any characters that have not and will not appear in the manga and/or anime are completely original.
Please Review!
Sayuri picked up her pace as she headed back towards the Hokage's tower. She had to tell Tsunade what they were after! She leapt from building to building her mind set on the looming building up ahead.
"What is that?" she came to a complete halt as she saw a man levitate towards the air as he moved above the center of the village. Mismatched brown eyes followed the man's movements as he raised his arms high above his head.
A chill ran down her spine as he spread his arms downward, palms facing the village below. Her attention was drawn toward the blonde Hokage that suddenly leapt into the air after him.
"Shinra Tensei!"
It was at that moment that everything came crashing down. Sayuri 's eyes widened as she felt the large amount of force that came at her with a great amount of speed destroying everything in its path. She was pushed back and then she felt it.
The excruciating pain as rubble upon rubble of what made up the building in Konoha fell on top of her.
Hopeless
I can't move…! Sayuri grunted as she tried to shift her arm to no avail. She coughed as the dirt around her got into her lungs.
Sayuri was stuck, buried under all the rubble. She couldn't feel her legs and her arms were slowly losing feeling as well. If she tried using an earth jutsu the rubble could shift and bury her further or crush her altogether. She felt something roll down the side of her cheek; she couldn't even move her head! At this rate she will die.
A tear began to roll down her face as she stared up at the dark space above her. She was going to die…the village was destroyed and she was as good as dead. She tried to stifle a sob as she bit her lip.
The village was gone! She wondered if anyone had survived. What about those two little boys? Did they live? Did they escape? The tears came faster as she thought about those two boys. Suddenly her life seemed little compared to those of the children that could be gone from this world...dead at such an early age.
Her fingers twitched as she tried to move again and she cried out in pain as her arm began to burn. The shock was wearing off, the adrenaline was almost gone. If she hadn't felt any pain before she sure was feeling it now. She yelped as she shifted a bit more trying to release her left arm from under the large piece of rubble. With one more forceful tug, she ignored the burning sensation she felt as something slashed her arm open, and got her hand free.
The Marihasha panted and coughed simultaneously. She clutched her injured arm as a light green glow emitted from her right hand. Slowly the wound began to close. At least if she died it wouldn't be from bleeding to death. How long had she been there? She had lost track a while ago. There was nothing around her other than rubble. Sniffing she attempted to dry her tears she would not cry…she was a konoichi.
XXX
Warm brown eyes watched as her teammate shifted in place, white orbs darting around the area. Tenten looked back down at the pink haired medic as she worked on the Hyuga heiress who was now conscious and staring up at the clear blue sky. To her right Lee was watching their teammate with a slight frown. His large black eyes met her brown in a silent agreement.
"Neji!" the taijutsu master called. "We should look for Lady Sayuri!" The Hyuga prodigy turned to Lee.
Tenten didn't miss how Sakura stiffened at the name. Did something happen to Sayuri?
"But Lady Hinata…" The Hyuga began.
"I'm ok."Came Hinata's timid answer. Her lavender tinged orbs turned to Sakura, she noticed her stiffen too. "Go, I'll be fine."
"Lady Hinata…"
"Just go." Ordered Tenten as she crossed her arms over her chest. "We're not allowed to help Naruto so you might as well try and find his missing teammate. Besides, I'll stay here with Hinata."
The timid girl sat up as Sakura pulled back. Both girls noticed that the pink haired teen was staring off into space. "It's ok brother." The blue haired girl said. "Go." With a slight nod of the head he was off with Lee fast on his trail.
"Sakura…" Tenten began as she kneeled down next to the medic. "Are you ok?"
Jade green eyes met her brown as the girl in question smiled. "Of course I am."
XXX
It was getting harder for her to breathe when the rumbling began. Mismatched brown eyes shifted from side to side as she tried to figure out where the noise was coming from. She tried to gulp but her dry throat made the task very difficult. Her breaths were becoming short pants by now.
A small sliver of light penetrated the darkness around her. She could see the specs of dirt as they floated about. Then there was another and another and another…more light was illuminating the darkness and with it more clean air.
"I think I see something!" she heard a distant voice.
"Keep going!" Sayuri froze. That voice…she recognized that voice. "She's down there!"
"Ne…" she tried to call out but winced at the pain that made its self known to her on her throat and chest. Suddenly the darkness was replaced by a bright light. She winced and closed her eyes as they complained from the abuse.
"Sayuri!" She heard her name called out but didn't have the strength to respond. The weight on her legs was gone at this point and she was pulled up and into strong arms. Clean air hit her first as she had a coughing fit. The arms around her tightened as they held her still while she gasped for clean air.
"Here…" she heard someone say, the arms around her loosed as something was brought up to her lips forcing the fluid down her dry throat. "Better?"
Finally she looked up and met a pair of large round black eyes. "Lee…" She whispered. Then she turned to a pair of white opalescent eyes that stared down at her in worry and she felt a damn burst open as she pulled the older boy closer and began to sob not caring about what anyone would think of the scene she was making.
"May I check her injuries?" came a small female voice. Pulling back she saw a small slug, recognizing her as Tsunade's Katsuyu she gave the creature a feeble nod before it slid up her legs as it began to heal. "Oh my…" she heard the slug whisper. "You were very lucky…it would seem the pressure from the collapsed building broke one of your legs…but don't worry I can fix it."
"Thank you…" She turned to look at her surroundings and didn't even know why she was so surprised. She had seen the attack up close, but the fact that it wiped out the entire village was just… "Where's Pain?" she turned to two ninja beside her.
"Naruto went after him." Lee answered. "But Katsuyu told us that he defeated him. So he must be on his way back now."
The brunette turned to the snail that had made its way up to her torso. "Is he ok?"
"Yes." She bent forward in a nod. "He's just worn out."
"Are you done?" The Hyuga asked and Katsuyu affirmed. "We should go and see him." He helped Sayuri up. "I'm sure everyone's there already."
"Ah." She smiled as she let the Hyuga carry her to the village's entrance.
XXX
"Scarecrow…" The silver haired ninja glanced down at the raven haired konoichi. "You're cutting off the circulation to my hand." She tugged at it.
"Oh, sorry…" he muttered as he loosened his hold. Moriyo looked up at him and frowned.
"Let go of my hand, Scarecrow." She attempted to tug her abused limb free but to no avail. The stubborn man just wouldn't budge. "Darn it Kakashi!"
The entire village had gathered around the entrance awaiting the return of blonde teen aged boy that had saved their lives. And to be honest she was a little anxious to see him too. If it wasn't for him she'd still be dead. She glanced up at the silver haired jounin that kept his eyes trained on the forest before them.
He would be too. Moriyo thought as her bright orange gaze shifted to her hand in his. The moment the nail connected with her forehead she felt and instantaneous unbearable pain that lasted for a total of three excruciatingly long seconds before everything went black. She had opened her eyes to find nothing but darkness around her. She spent a long time wondering around the empty space until a flash of light pulled her back to the world of the living.
The two Akimichi had been there when she woke with a jolt. She turned to her side and found the silver haired ninja lying completely still. All around her dead ninja and regular civilians began to get up from the rubble but the male beside her was still out for the count. When the seconds turned into minutes she called out his name only to get no answer in return. Just when she thought that he was gone for good the idiot sat up and nearly hit her.
She had never been so scared in her life. The thought of loosing another friend frightened her.
Moriyo slowly squeezed the man's hand in hers. A black eye slid to her form and she was about to smile when something caught her attention. Turning to her right she watched as Neji carried an injured Sayuri into the crowd. Pulling away from the Sharingan wielder she weaved through the crowd to get to the girl.
"What happened to you? Are you ok?" She drilled as she looked the girl over.
"I'm fine, I just need some rest." Came the girls answered as she smiled up at her teacher.
A feeling of relief filled her as she saw the spark in the teens mismatched brown eyes. Suddenly Moriyo pulled at the girl's cheek causing her to yelp in pain. "That's for saying all those things before!" Sayuri looked up at her teacher in astonishment. "You're lucky I didn't knock you unconscious!"
Holding her cheek Sayuri smiled knowing that she was forgiven. "Yes, sensei!" Suddenly the girls attention was no longer on the dark haired jounin, instead it was on the blonde that had just made his entrance as everyone began to crowd around him. They watched with amusement as Sakura punched the blonde in the head before pulling him towards her. She felt guilt as she watched the rosette girl. She shouldn't have said all those things.
"Lady Sayuri." Neji, Moriyo, and Sayuri stiffened slightly at the ANBU's random appearance. "You're being asked to attend council immediately."
"Can't you see she's injured? Tell Kenji to go!" Moriyo ordered with a frown.
"He's already been called on, but the council wants her to be there as well."
Sayuri turned with much effort to look up at the ANBU. Why on earth would the council ask for her?
XXX
"Ah, Lady Sayuri!" The girl in question looked up as she entered the building. Everyone was already seated. "Good of you to join us." The Daimyo said with a smile. "Please, sit." He gestured to the empty seat between the head of the Nara and Kenji in his ANBU uniform.
With a small nod she made her way over to them, all the while she tried to suppress a yelp from the pain of walking. It was still too early for her to be moving around. Taking a seat she glanced at Kenji who gave her a small nod.
Sayuri glanced at the old lord. Her clan had always had a good relationship with the daimyo. She had a brief memory of her mother and father forcing her to meet with the fire lord and his wife. And even after her clan's death Saito, and later on, Kenji had often forced her to visit them at least once a year. But even so she was still a child, so why on earth was she needed in this meeting when they already had Kenji there?
"We were just discussing who would be the next Hokage." The daimyo filled her in.
"But Lady Tsunade is still alive, granted she's in a coma but shouldn't we just wait until she wakes up?" asked the girl.
The lord smiled. "That's what I said but the elders seem to believe that progress cannot be made while she is unconscious." He fanned himself and frowned as he turned to the entire table. "And if that is the case, who can possibly take the position?"
"Well…" she heard Danzo speak up.
"I nominate Kakashi Hatake!" Sayuri turned to her left in surprise.
"Oh!" The Daimyo began. "The son of The White Fang, eh? Yes! Why not?" he turned to his advisors. "What do you all think?"
"He's well known, powerful, and respected, it's true…" One of them said.
"But don't you think he's too young?" Asked another.
"Minato was even younger…" said a third.
One of them turned to the elders. "Who was his teacher?"
"The fourth Hokage." Answered Homura.
Sayuri tilted her head. The fourth was Kakashi sensei's teacher?
"The fourth Hokage was Jiraya's pupil, and Jiraya was a pupil of the third Hokage! I see no problem then." The daimyo said pleased with himself. He turned to the brunette girl. "Don't you think Lady Sayu—"
"The third Hokage's teachings have as good as destroyed the village!" Danzo interrupted. Sayuri glared at the old man as he continued. "Akatsuki's leader, the man who destroyed the village was Jiraya's pupil. This is the result of sympathizing with other countries and giving them power. That sort of thinking is weak!" Sayuri noticed how the advisors full attention was on the bandaged man. "That weakness led to the Sand's betrayal and allowed Orochimaru's plan to destroy Konoha. It led to the formation of Akatsuki and to Sasuke, the last remaining Uchiha, leaving Konoha for his own secret purposes!"
"Sasuke Uchiha had no purpose other than to kill his brother!" Sayuri retorted as she slammed a hand on the table drawing attention to herself while she glared at the man. "That was the only reason he left, the third Hokage had nothing to do with it!"
She felt the elders' eyes on her but she continued. "We've re-established a truce with the Sand due to Naruto's efforts, and he was master Jiraya's pupil as well!" She turned to the daimyo. "You can't deny the fact that our alliance with them is stronger than before!"
The lord fanned himself as he closed his eyes in thought. "She makes a good point."
"But you seem to forget, Lady Sayuri…" Koharu said as she turned to the brunette a steely look in her eyes. "The young Uchiha has not returned, instead we receive reports that he's joined forces with the Akatsuki."
Sayuri narrowed her eyes at the woman. "And whose fault do you think that is?" Mismatched brown shifted from one elder to the other as they stiffened in surprise.
"Sayuri…" she heard Kenji whisper from beside her.
"So what do you suggest, Lady Sayuri?" one of the advisors asked as he turned to her.
"I…" she looked at the daimyo unsure.
"Go on, Lady Sayuri." The old man answered with a smile. "I asked for your presence because in the past you family had brought up valuable points. I'm quite interested in what Yūkan and Nagisa's daughter has to say."
"I…I think Shikaku Nara is correct in nominating Kakashi Hatake as Hokage."
"I disagree!" Danzo stood and met Sayuri's gaze. "What we need is a Hokage that can put an end to this wretched situation, who can bring change to the world and reinforce the laws that govern us!"
"And who exactly would that type of man be?!" Asked Sayuri as she clenched her hands at her sides.
"Me!" He his glare was met by hers as they stared down at one another.
"Maybe we should let Danzo take care of things my lord." An advisor said as he turned to the daimyo.
"Hmmm…." The man lifted a fan up to his face as if in thought.
Not liking the idea one bit Shikaku decided to intervene. "We can't let his fanaticism—"
"All right, it's decided." The lord set his fan aside as he turned to them. "Danzo you will be the sixth Hokage!" Danzo smirked as Sayuri, Kenji, and Shikaku looked on stunned.
XXX
Green eyes watched as his brunette charge huffed and paced around the tent as she went on a rant.
"I hate this!" she yelled. "Why the hell would the Daimyo call me over to a stupid meeting, with a bunch of stupid advisors if he won't take into consideration anything that I said?!" Sayuri growled as she tugged at the white kimono the doctors had forced her to wear when they examined the rest of her wounds. "I mean it was like he had already made his mind up, he didn't even try to see both sides!" Sayuri stomped and immediately stiffened as the pain in her leg immediately ran up her body.
"Sayuri!" Kenji moved quickly as he caught the girl. "You need to be more careful!" He scolded as he laid her down on the futon. "You're still recovering you know."
Sayuri gritted her teeth and looked away. "I know, I know…" she looked at the tent's opening and sighed. "When are Diachi and Hajime coming back from their mission?" Sayuri murmured.
Kenji smiled. "They arrived yesterday. When they saw the village they immediately decided to help."
"Oh…" she clutched the pillow under her tightly and sighed. She felt incredibly useless. She couldn't move around too much as her injuries were still healing not to mention the fact that the whole Danzo being the new Hokage had her on edge.
"Sayuri Marihasha…" The teen looked up to see two ROOT members enter her tent. Kenji moved to stand and faced the two ROOT with a sour expression.
"Yes?" she answered as she slowly sat up.
"You have been ordered by the new Hokage, Lord Danzo, to assist the Kage summit."
"Danzo?!" Kenji exclaimed angrily.
"That is Lord Danzo to you!" One of them stepped threateningly towards the ANBU head but stopped midway as he sensed someone's chakra spike dangerously. As he looked down he found that the brunette was glaring at them silently warning them to stay away from the dark haired man.
"Why on earth would I go to the summit? Only the kages are allowed to go." Sayuri asked completely baffled by the idea.
"Yes," one of them answered. "But, this is a special occasion. The five clans have been summoned as well."
"Five clans…" Kenji echoed. The five clans were the most influential clans in each of the villages. Why would their presence be needed there?
"Yes." The second one answered as he glanced over at Kenji apprehensively. "We are preparing to declare war, and the affirmation of the five clans is needed."
"War?" the ROOT turned to Sayuri. "Against who?"
"Against the Akatsuki and Sasuke Uchiha." They answered in unison.
Sayuri stared at the two ninja completely stunned. War…against Sasuke…Sayuri looked at the ground at a loss.
"We will meet at the gate in twenty minutes. You are to wear formal clothing appropriate for the meeting, no weapons are allowed on your person." The two ROOT turned to the exit but one stopped short. "Lord Danzo has also assigned us as your body guards…We will see you shortly."
"What!?" Kenji stepped forward. "If she's being forced to go than she can at least take her own guards!"
"No." Said the second one. "Lord Danzo's orders." And with that the two left the tent.
Dark green eyes looked at the exit before slowly turning to the brunette on the ground. Her head was bowed; her bangs hid her unique brown eyes from his view. Could she do it? Would she do it? Kenji wondered as he stared down at the Marihasha. Would she be able to wage war against her own teammate?
"I…" her voice broke him out of his thoughts. "I should get ready…"
Kenji straightened and gave her a nod. "I'll ask Moriyo to help you dress." He received no answer as he left the tent.
XXX
Hajime and Diachi paced outside the Marihasha's tent impatiently. Kenji leaned against one of the many boxes that littered the area full of building material and food.
"What's taking her so long!?" Hajime groaned impatiently. "And why can't we go!?"
Kenji sighed. "I already told you, Hokage's orders."
"Yeah…well that bastard will never really be the Hokage!" the silver haired ninja growled before he yelped in pain as Diachi elbowed him in the rib.
"Keep quiet, that's very disrespectful." The brunette hissed under his breath.
Hajime turned to Diachi appalled. "Don't tell me you're actually ok with this!?"
Light brown eyes glared at his silver haired teammate. "Of course not, but you never know who's listening." He glanced to his right. Following his gaze Hajime caught a glimpse of a cloak disappearing into thin air.
So they had ROOT spies all over the village now. That was quick…Hajime thought as he shoved his hands in his pockets. They managed to make the ANBU completely obsolete in a matter of days. He thought bitterly.
A rustle of the tent flaps caught their attention standing up straight they watched as Sayuri emerged dressed in a formal kimono. She stood before them looking very uncomfortable under all the layers of clothing that she had on, her hair remained down as it fell freely around her form.
"You have five minutes to get to the gate." Moriyo said as she came up behind her and tugged at the girls' sleeves readjusting them.
"Diachi and Hajime will accompany you to the gate." Kenji said as he stood up arms crossed over his chest. "Be careful, Sayuri." The girl nodded before the three ninja went on their way.
The three ANBU walked toward the gate in silence, both boys stealing sideways glances at the brunette frowning at the strange worried look in her eyes. This girl had been their teammate since the Chunin exams. She had trained with them and grown with them. It had been their duty from the start to protect her. But now, they felt helpless. Something inside of them was screaming not to let her out of their sight.
"Do you have your seals?" Hajime finally asked.
She looked up at Hajime surprised. "Yes."
"How's your chakra?" It was Diachi's turn.
Sayuri pursed her lips and tilted her head to the side. "It's almost up to normal."
"Good." He placed a hand on top of her head. "Don't let your guard down around them…understand?"
Sayuri looked at her teammates surprised. It had been a long time since she'd seen both of them that serious. She smiled before swatting Diachi's hand off her head. "Yeah, yeah…" she moved past them before looking over her shoulder. "I got it."
The two ROOT stood by the entrance as they waited for the teen to show. "Ready?" One of them stepped forward.
"Ah." She nodded and allowed herself to be picked up.
"Let's go." The three disappeared into Konoha's forest.
A.N.
I suddenly felt inspired to write this. It is a little fast paced sine during the fight with Pain she would technically be doing nothing while Naruto gat at it and in the Manga the council meeting was right as Naruto arrived back to the village after his battle, that makes the Kage meeting only a few days after since the team from Lightning arrived pretty quickly too.
Please review! It brings me joy knowing that you all like the story thus far.
Oh! Ages: Sayuri was 4 when her mother and aunt were murdered, she was 5 when her clan was murdered, she was 7 when she lost her memory. She graduated the academy at age 10. That makes the rookie 9, 2 years older than her and team Gai 3 years older.