For the previous chapter, I did not establish a disclaimer. I'm rectifying that now.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Kishimoto created. That's all.
Hanako opened, and quickly clamped her eyes shut to the invasion of unwelcome rays. Waves lapped at sun-warmed cheeks, and she coughed when the saltwater slithered into her nose with the rising tide. Her arms quivered with the effort of rising above the sand scratching between her breasts, and she deemed it impossible to use her arms for anything strenuous after. Which was a pity, because she was sure she would require them for exactly that. With determination to see herself removed from her disagreeable environment, she opened her eyes again – squinting against the sunbeams – and took purchase of her surroundings.
The beach was devoid of life, without so much as an anchored fishing boat. Hanako recognized the stillness in the air as an omen.
She disengaged stray seaweed from her ankles, distractedly eyeing the trees that held unknown pastures beyond them. Unable to recall how she washed up on this mysterious paradise, she resolved to search for clues before turning to the island, neither was safe and there wasn't one she preferred over the other.
Hanako rose from her coarse seat and her hair danced along her lower back. She reached to her scalp with curious fingers and tugged forward a handful of strands to examine them.
Surely it wasn't practical to have hair so long, and she had no memory of maintaining such a length. She resolved she would have to cut it to avoid entanglement with the branches awaiting her arrival in the jungle. As she brought a handful to her face, Hanako was shocked to discover a petal pink hue slipping between her fingers. This development was more than unsettling, for she remembered her hair as night's equal. She placed her hands on the hips of her ripped cloth pants and stared out at the ocean in confusion. Perhaps I'm remembering wrong, she thought.
Sifting through the sands with her bare hands and feet, her search proceeded with hardly any vigor. She didn't hope to find anything on this beach and knew it was likely that any items that washed up with her were long buried, but it helped to be sure. As her search continued, her thirst increased, and she gave up in favor of finding a fresh water source. The waves splashed with a hiss when she turned away from them.
"Sakura!"
Her head jerked at the sound of the ocean's disembodied rasp, and she eyed the calm waters over her shoulder. Seeing nothing amiss, she turned and resumed her trek in the direction of the jungle, until a deep growl escaped the tree line.
"Sakura, danger awaits you!" The waves stretched out to her, liquid beckoning her back to the shoreline, attempting to extend its reach.
The warning discouraged her, and she turned halfway. In her peripheral, Hanako saw a creature lift into the sky and her feet backed away toward the now howling sea. The creature flapped its wings above her and opened its jaw, making visible rows of sharp teeth that she expected from such a predator. Shimmering from the base of its throat was a steady sunset whose destruction she could hear crackling. She took several steps back until the water caressed her ankles, and when the creature ducked its head to release its anguish on the tranquil island, the ocean hauled Hanako into its embrace, the searing heat mere seconds from her outstretched hand. The anger in its eye was not hers, but it was given to her all the same.
Water stroked her limbs and whispered soft assurances to her, she could still see the creature's wrath above her and opened her mouth to reassure it, only to have the water seep into her throat.
...
Sakura scratched at her throat and shot up from the grass, soaked to the bone and hacking up water.
"Nice to have you back with us, dear," a voice above her proclaimed.
Someone tried to push a wooden cup filled with water into her hand, only to have her push it back. She had more water in her throat than she knew what to do with and she couldn't help but think, How could the solution possibly be to have more?
Whispers and giggles were beginning to register, her dream all but forgotten as she glared up at her assailant.
The woman above her raised a brow at the defiance painted on Sakura's expression, her blonde pigtails swinging as she leaned down further. Sakura quickly ducked her head and eyed her hands, now nervously toying with stray threads on her pants.
"Wipe that guilt off your face and look at me, kid." Sakura sighed and did as she was told. "Just because today is the ceremony doesn't mean it's time to rest. I get that you excelled in your training but drop that holier than thou attitude, or I'll beat it out of you in first blood. Got it?"
Gnawing at her bottom lip, she squinted and searched the woman's blue eyes for any actual threat of violence. Finding only a warning, Sakura inclined her head. "Yes, Chief Tsunade."
The chief smiled and stood to her full height. "Good. Now then, kiddies, how about we take a crack at it one more time?"
Flipping a pigtail over her shoulder, Tsunade explained their objective for the second time – which she blatantly announced was for Sakura's benefit – and gave the young adults in the circle assurances about their upcoming performance. The chief ended her speech by calling for them to get into position. Sakura jumped up, fishing for her moon-stone in her chest binding, to form a tighter circle with her peers,
The chief smiled and clapped twice. "You know what to do."
Tinkles of laughter disrupted the forest's eerie daytime countenance, mingling with the wind and dancing about Sakura's awareness.
Ignoring the giggles, she lifted her left palm to the sky with the first drum beat, in sync with the other boys and girls in the circle. The twelve of them stood with their backs to one another, a smooth magnetic stone carried in each right hand. They reached behind themselves with the same hand, blindly but confidently piling their hands in a tower with their palms facing upward.
Sakura glared at the tree before her, its branches blanketed with the blue twinkling lights of fae-folk in their wisp forms and scorned them in her head for being blessed as bystanders to this recurring nightmare of a ceremony. Sure, the rite itself was very important to her – as it was a rite of passage among the fae – but, with the drawn-out practice times and screeching of Chief Tsunade to, "Get it right! It's so simple, you imbeciles!" … It was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the same enthusiasm she had at the commencement of her training. Not to mention the touch of sweaty palms above and below her own.
At the second drum beat, each of the participants proceeded to thrust their heels into the earth and bent their bodies forward with their hands maintaining their joined positioning. Sakura closed her eyes and ceased her pessimistic stream of consciousness, instead swaying her shoulders to the rhythm of the tribal tune. She bent to one knee with her companions, and recited the opening:
"With one hand we lend our strength,
With the other we forge a covenant with the Earth and the Moon to sustain an oath of unification."
Midnight colored hair slid completely from her shoulders as she bowed her head and summoned faint a faint flow of magic to her right hand. The other members of the group did the same while hastily repeating the middle of the incantation, "We forge a covenant with the Earth and the Moon," and the sensation of her skin progressively warming into a glow sparked excitement in Sakura's chest. The adrenaline caused her to momentarily forget her ire, as it usually did, and the surrounding forest was steadily embraced by a radiant glow that nearly overpowered the sun's beams.
The drummers increased their speed and the circle retreated, shuffling backward and raising their right hands that were each consumed in an ash tinted flame. They all allowed their individual flames to hiss above them. Ghostly whispers caressed the sharp shells of Sakura's ears, beckoning her to give herself over to them, and weak wind shuffled stray hairs about her face. She allowed the want to submit herself to the silvery voices, they promised a wholeness that she could never imagine, and the few bystanders that were allowed in the vicinity buzzed with anticipation.
Just as the flames reached their peak, Sakura's body cooled rapidly, shocking her senses, and white spots danced across her vision. Tsunade stopped them from proceeding with her own magic. Falling forward, Sakura's hair created a dark curtain between her and the rest of the world and she stared at the ground. She noted that she could see each grain of dirt with astounding clarity. Then she blinked. When she opened her eyes again, her sight was returned to normal.
Simultaneously tucking her small stone back into her binding and lifting her head, she eyed the frowns dotting faces in the crowd.
Gravel crunched as the blonde approached, reclaiming Sakura's attention. "Ah, Kagami. Food?"
Ino's eyes rolled in mock-bliss. "You really know the words to get me there, Forehead." She threw her arm around Sakura's shoulder, who responded by trying and failing to shrug it off. "I'm so glad the chief didn't make us practice flight simulation again. You know, for such a short rite it takes up a shit load of time."
Sakura hummed in agreement and her eyes roamed over their companions, many of the waving when her eyes landed on them, and she smiled when she found the person she was looking for.
"Maemi!" The girl in question started and pushed too-long bangs from her face. She nodded at Sakura and approached them with a curious expression. "We're getting lunch, want to come?"
A dazzling smile lifted Maemi's cheeks and she nodded, "Certainly, Hanako." The girls began their trek toward the marketplace where vendors were setting up for the nights festivities. "Oh! Kagami, it nearly slipped my mind to tell you. My father bid me to inform you—"
...
"— to inform you that your presence is required."
The slender fingers of the man being addressed, tucked raven strands neatly into a band at the base of his neck. He withheld his answer to the summons, although both parties were very aware that he could not disobey the order. The soldier fidgeted, a movement unbecoming of a man in the king's guard.
"Lord Itachi?" the guard inquired.
Itachi's eyes snapped to the man's nervous countenance. "What is your name?"
Shifting from his left foot to his right, the man cleared his throat and answered, "Nomura Junichi, My Lord."
He stared at the younger man in contemplation. Nomura's expression was bashful where most members of the king's guard were stoic. This did not bode well with Itachi, knowing that it would mean certain death for this man-child in the future. He turned languidly and met Nomura's eyes.
"Be careful not to wear your emotions on your sleeve, Nomura." Itachi strode past the man, his steps unhurried. "You are the only thing standing between yourself and the sword of another."
Itachi heard the guard release a shuddering breath when he stepped out of his quarters. He knew the man would not deign look through his things, his fear of Itachi would thwart any attempts at following through with the king's true orders.
His gaze followed the marble floors of the smaller hallway he walked, that lead him directly to the throne room without the added chance of encountering others. There was no opulence here, something Itachi was grateful for. He longed for simplicity in a palace of splendor.
Stepping into the room, through the hidden entrance, Itachi made his way to the king's side. The court was watching with eager anticipation as a young girl, and a friend to Itachi – he realized with dismay – belted out a song worthy of a nightingale. Outwardly, the only sign of his alarm was a twitch of his fingers. Inwardly, this performance caused his heart to clench. He had warned her previously of the dangers that accompanied the king's regard. It was her family's attempt to gain his majesty's favor, Itachi was sure, another thing he had cautioned her against. But, she was ever an obedient girl, and would likely follow the path her mother and father laid down for her. He knew that if they succeeded in their venture – like many before her – it would end in her ruin. Itachi watched as his king's expression shuddered with a calculating eagerness. He wanted nothing more than to steal her away from the throne room and conceal her in an undisclosed location for her own protection, and his own peace of mind. But, he knew that he could do no such thing, and imagining it merely increased his helplessness.
When the girl finished her song, the court erupted in applause, each of them whispering to each other of an unlikely skill emerging from a lowborn family. The crowd gasped when the king stood from his throne and applauded her performance.
"Certainly, my girl, your talent was weaved into your soul by the gods!"
She blushed prettily and bowed. "I am not deserving of such high praise from his majesty, you bestow too great an honor."
He waved his hand in disagreement and descended the steps to his throne. The crowd lining the sides whispered in shock, watching as he reached a hand under her chin and bid her to rise.
"What did you say your name was, dear girl?"
Her doe-like eyes widened. "Midori, Your Majesty."
"A charming name, for an endlessly beautiful girl. It's no wonder my nephew keeps you in his company. You are truly mesmerizing, Midori."
Ah, Itachi thought. He now understood why he was summoned. It had been discovered that Itachi made the mistake of befriending someone. He could feel nothing but a bountiful guilt for what was to come. Itachi breathed deeply, ignoring some stares that landed on his tense person. He knew better, yet could not resist the urge for the company of a friend. Now the girl would suffer for his selfishness.
...
Sliding her hand through Maemi's hair, Ino circled her and grasped her shoulder, making them both face Sakura. "Why the moon-drop eyes, didn't like the food?"
Sakura scratched the back of her head, uncomfortable with the atmosphere.
"Not at all, Kagami, the food was lovely." She sighed. "I'm just worried for tonight's ceremony… it would disappoint my family if I didn't get my wings."
Sakura frowned and Ino sucked her teeth knowingly. "You can tell your old man to shove it."
The blonde ruffled Maemi's dark hair and threw her arm around the shorter girl's shoulder, urging her to walk further into the town's market. Sakura rolled her eyes at Ino's obvious affection for the girl, she walked behind them observing the native villagers and foreigners setting up their stands for the night's festival. Sakura always felt that they set everything up far too late in the day, it was beyond noon, and yet, nothing was ready. She supposed this was because the celebration lasted well into the morning, but it was truly nettling to have to wait for twilight's arrival to enjoy her favorite foods, especially when some appeared only on this night every year, and the crafty fae who created the treats she favored would wisp out of sight when she began to hint at the desire to learn their recipes. This year, she would have to perform her rites and as that began at nightfall – preceded by donning the outfit she painstakingly made for herself and suffering through other preparations she was sure her friend had planned – she wouldn't be able to eat again until well after midnight. And that was if the ceremony didn't drain her of all her energy.
A girl tripped several yards in front of her, her descent stopped only by her mother's hand grasping the back of her green tunic. Similar to the way Kakashi would grab at her collar every time she made to run from the general, it was an undignified way for someone to hold you – or she had thought that previously – whenever she spotted a mother doing it, though, it didn't seem as harsh. She wondered if her mother had ever performed the action on her, and quickly dispelled the thought because she remembered that as a princess she hadn't been allowed to run outside of the safety of her own chambers.
The other girls slowed to a stop and she watched Ino talk Maemi down from full-blown panic about the ceremony's outcome, and Sakura realized she felt truly removed. Thoughts of her mother inadvertently bid her to wonder what the ritual would have been like in the castle, with her and Ino's parents in attendance. She could not remember if she had been to the castle's celebration as a child, another memory lost to time.
"On your knees, child!"
Sakura's attention was captured by the order. She looked away from her friends – whose attention was drawn from their conversation – and to her left, where a royal guard had his foot on the shoulder of a boy barely beyond puberty.
"What's the matter, kid, can't use that mouth for anything other than thieving other people's food?" the voice of a different guard spat.
She turned fully to observe the scene, as did many of the villagers who were walking through the market and those assisting in the building several stands. Her hand twitched when the soldier kicked at the boy's shoulder. She recognized the boy as the brother of a friend of hers, one who would be performing with her tonight. Takuya, she remembered his name being.
Sakura knew the boy hadn't stolen anything, even before the stand owner began to plead for the guards to cease their abuse. The guard would flaunt his power, as they all did, to instill fear and subsequent order to the citizens of a village they did not reside in.
Sakura took a step forward, her heart clenching at the plight Takuya faced. Ino clamped a hand onto her shoulder and shook her head wildly when Sakura met her eye.
"How's about I unzip, and you show me a real reason for silence?" The guard queried with contempt. If not for the cruel expression on the man's face, Sakura would have thought the guard attractive. Blond tufts of hair framing a heart shaped face and green scales dotting his temples. A high-level dragon, but still low enough to not be able to completely disguise himself.
Smacking Ino's hand aside and ignoring Maemi's fearful pleas, she pushed past everyone in her path until she reached Takuya. Slapping her hands onto his biceps, Sakura bid him to stand. The guard scowled at her and she took in his gangly frame and knew behind his lanky body there was strength. There always was with dragons. That fact made them haughty, and their hubris could be manipulated into defeat. At least, that was what Kakashi always said, but she had never had the opportunity to prove him right. Pulling pranks on unsuspecting guards and publicly challenging them were two entirely incomparable situations. Pushing the boy behind her, she heard Ino usher him away.
"You want some instead, girl? You seem eager," he snickered, bumping shoulders with his dark eyed comrade.
Sakura smiled softly and brushed the fringe from her eyeline. "I don't think you have anything of quality to offer."
His act of mirth halted, and his blue eyes hardened. "Watch your step, girl."
She stretched her arms above her head, noting how his eyes travelled her along her body and she allowed him a sharp laugh.
"I'm standing still."
As she let her arms come down, his stepped forward to strike her and she sidestepped his path. Hooking her foot around his ankle as she ducked out of the way of his fist, he stumbled and she took the opportunity to elbow him firmly in the back of his neck, effectively knocking the skinny man over.
His companion took the attack on his friend personally and it was near comical how quickly he moved to strike at her. Stockier than his friend, he tried to put his obvious strength behind the attack of his sharpened staff. Her offense was too grievous to allow her to live, apparently. Her hand stole into the loose opening of the bag hanging at her hip as he approached, and she blew blue glittered dust into his face. His step faltered, and he sneezed, his body's attempt to expel the irritant caused him to ascend. Each sneeze brought him a little closer to the sky and the gathered crowd collectively guffawed at his unfortunate predicament.
Behind her, the other sentry rose from the ground and in his hasty embarrassment, attempted to rush her, but she was steps ahead of him. Sakura dove to the ground when he got close enough and he tripped over her. She removed the unneeded sash that circled her waist and looped it around the floating guard's ankle, his sneezes and curses meshed together. A sputtering fool, she thought. She grabbed the floored guard by his beautiful blond hair – tying the rest of the ribbon around the man's neck, while he quite literally clawed at her hands.
Each new sneeze from his companion choked him, the dust she used on the stocky guard proving strong. The villagers had taken to throwing food items at them, including the owner from the stand the boy was supposed to have stolen from.
Sakura stepped back, and someone handed her a basket of strawberries, thanking her for her defense of Takuya's honor. It was his mother. An older woman with gray strands spotting her bob-length red hair.
The fun did not last long, however, when more guards appeared on the scene, condemning the people for their actions. While they berated the vegetable and fruit toting villagers, an arm looped around Sakura's. Startled she tried to break free of the seemingly unfamiliar touch, until she realized it was Ino.
"Come, Hanako," Ino's brows were drawn together in anger. "You've taken on another unnecessary risk."
Pulling the darker haired girl along, Ino dragged Sakura far enough away that when the guards questioned who had caused this ruckus, they were long gone.
...
Itachi stepped into his uncle's chambers, instantly lowering his eyes when he noted that Midori was sat across his uncle at the table, her parents seated between them.
He stood at attention and waited for his king to acknowledge his presence.
"Surely, it was a daunting task for one so delicate," the king stated warmly.
Midori, whose gaze sought his from the moment he stepped into the room, removed her eyes from Itachi's person. Her smile returning, after having fallen when Itachi made no move to greet her.
"Of course, Your Majesty, but what I lack in strength, I make up for in stealth," she replied softly. "Itachi has taught me many stealth techniques to remain undetected in any pursuit during our friendship"
Her use of his name, meant to coax him into meeting her eyes, caused his breath to hitch at her naivety. Every word of her praise toward him would be her future undoing. He remained stoic, his passive expression dissuaded her – he hoped – and his uncle finally tilted his face to look Itachi in the eye.
"Is that so?" When she nodded, the king smiled pleasantly. "It is funny you point out my nephew's strength in stealth, because I have called him here for exactly that reason."
He took this as his cue to look up at the king.
"Nephew, there has been an uprising in the south. The fae have apparently revolted against the guards in the village hidden in the leaves, while they have quelled the rebellion – they cannot locate the culprit who incited it. I'd hoped you would be more efficient in bringing the traitor to meet the king's justice."
His uncle gave a good-natured smile, one Itachi knew to be false. His smiles never reached his eyes. Itachi bowed to his uncle, with a fist across his chest, and made to leave the room when a silvery voice called out to him.
"Itachi!"
He sighed subtly and turned to look at Midori from the corner of his eye.
"Be safe."
Her eyes softened, though her body remained tense, her fingernails digging into the wood of her armrest. Midori knew she was in danger, Itachi deduced. Her newfound status meant that she could not run from this, but he acknowledged her desire to escape. Had felt it himself on many occasions. He looked beyond her, to his uncle whom the other occupants of the room were not facing. When their eyes met, his uncle allowed him a sinister smile.
Returning his gaze to the young woman, he nodded and made a swift exit.
Oh, I'm so horrible. It's been almost a year.
Trust that I meant to update this a very long time ago. Truly. It was hard to get this out, and I'm not entirely sure I'm enjoying the finished product. I've never written a story that's had multiple chapters before, so this will be a shared struggle for all of us. I will be updating more frequently, because there's a lot I want to do with this story. Please, be patient with me - and let me know what you think. I want to get better at writing and writing this is me taking the steps to achieve that goal.
Also, if anyone can find the artist who created the image that I'm using as the cover art for this story, please let me know. I want to link their work. I can't seem to find it on google anymore, so a little help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Leave a review letting me know what you liked!