Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Boruto nor its characters.
"Raku!"
Interrupted, both Sarada and Raku turned towards the direction where the owner of the distressed voice called out the boy's name. From what Sarada could make out of the figure that ran towards them, she appeared to be an adolescent woman, hair kept slightly unkempt and with clothes that had a few unappealing stains here and there that contrasted the yellow attire she wore. Her features—to which, Sarada had to do a double-take—looked all too similar to a friend she had made not too long ago. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" She exclaimed, and while she didn't sound exasperated, exhaustion came clear in her tone.
All it took was one look at Raku to confirm Sarada's suspicions. She wasn't sure what the state of their relationship was like, but that look of apprehension he wore, coupled along with the sudden tenseness that infiltrated his nerves told her enough. What she didn't understand was why he reacted like that in the presence of his mother, who looked nothing more than an ordinary, innocent civilian to her.
The Land of the Moon certainly lived up to its name. For as the night fell, a crescent moon proudly emerged from the clouds, glowing ever-so brightly and unabashedly in the dark, endless sky of midnight blue. The city beneath lit up their lamps, decorations and whatnot, showering the town with enough light to make up for the absence of the stars. From the rooftop of the Royal's Scientific laboratory where Sarada sat, she watched the citizens dance themselves into the nightlife, their euphoric smiles sparkling during the moonlit night. Certainly, she could see why this would be one of the most favoured tourist spots.
But even in a nation so jovial, tragedies from the past crackled from beneath the surface; the threat of divisive force waiting for its chance to commence.
"So… that's why some people don't like Raku, huh?" Sarada muttered, eyes tearing away from the colourful city; settling her gaze on Kakashi who made his way towards her once he finished relaying the story of Raku's clan.
"I suppose so." Kakashi responded nonchalantly, hands tucked into his pockets while he took in the scenic view from the roof.
"But he didn't do anything… and his mother turned over a new leaf."
"Forgiveness doesn't come so easily, Sarada… even Raku couldn't forgive his own mother, correct?"
Sarada sighed, bringing her knees close to her chest as Kakashi took a seat next to her. She let her mind wonder in the moment, her thoughts floating adrift in the wind as she recalled today's earlier incident.
The resentment in Raku's eyes, so cold and unforgiving. And he was only a child.
The pain in his mother's eyes, so desperate and pleading. But it wasn't enough to earn her own child's acceptance, much less tolerance.
A family torn apart by mistakes of the past.
Raku ran away before his mother could catch him, and Sarada had went to chase after him. She had found herself wanting to mend the bonds of this family. It was such an instinctual urge that she had blurted it out in the midst of comforting Raku who broke down in the forest they found themselves in.
"Raku… how about I speak to your mother for you? The both of you are family and…—"
"No!" He rejected harshly before she could finish her preposition. "She… she doesn't care about me. She's just… nice to me so Dad won't put her in prison or whatever and… she's the reason why I'm so… alone." He sniffed, wiping his tears as he took in a shaky breath. "You wouldn't… understand, Sarada. She's… not family."
Raku had made valid points. Sarada could only sympathise with Raku to a certain degree, for she was fortunate enough to be born into a family that was not ostracised by the Leaf. Her mother was a well-respected Medical Ninja with a golden and untainted reputation in the arts of healing and combat. Her father was the Leaf's shadow, protecting the land from some faraway trouble; never in the spotlight, but always on the frontlines, with his efforts only acknowledged by the few higher-ups that knew of his dutiful acts.
Even so, she still found herself wanting to help him and his family somehow. But what could the likes of her even do?
"It must've been difficult growing up in his position." Sarada frowned as she remembered how the other kids treated him; how the people looked at him. "He did nothing wrong, yet the people tolerate him at most, not because they are moving towards forgiveness but because he's under the Royal Family's care. And even if they tolerated him for other reasons, they still don't accept him.
"I can understand why he might… resent his mother for giving him such a life. But she's trying to change… but at the same time, who am I to say he should forgive her? I…" Sarada trailed off the more her mind tried to process the predicament at hand—or rather, struggled to process. The more she thought about, the more the complications in the matter surfaced and became all jumbled.
She groaned quietly, one of her hands reaching out to pinch the bridge of her nose as she tried to force back some stability in the flow of her thoughts.
"It's a complicated family manner, isn't it? There isn't exactly a wrong or right answer." Kakashi supplied, knowing that her overthinking the manner would do no good. Though, it didn't stop his curiosity from raising the following question to her, "… but if you were him, would you be able to forgive your parent's sins of the past?"
He would've expected her to ponder a little longer, but her answer was almost immediate—albeit, vague. "I… think I would be able to. Although," Sarada's hand went back to hug her knees, drawing them closer to her as she rested her chin between them. "…I wouldn't know… until it ever happens. So, I guess I wouldn't know my actual answer... which makes this even more frustrating to solve. I really want to help him. It's just…"
It's just, who am I to interfere in personal family matters that aren't my own?
It was just as Kakashi said; there wasn't exactly a right or wrong, such lines were blurred in ambiguity. And forgiveness was not something that came easily even after years of repentance.
Kakashi shrugged back his shoulders, not thinking too much about her answer despite the origins of what had motivated him to ask such a dangerous thing.
Words could only mean so much; they were empty promises until put into action. Until put into that situation.
"You care a lot for that boy despite only spending less than a day with him, hm?" Kakashi laughed lightly, earning a small eye-roll from Sarada.
"What was that about anyway? Asking me to watch over him while you carried on with the main mission… was it because I failed to see?" It was how solemn her question was that held Kakashi back from cracking a joke about the little babysit side-quest he sent her on.
"Nope. Do not think too much about it. If anything, what you weren't able to see was a much bigger help than whatever their reports indicated."
"Really?" Sarada quirked her brow in suspicion as sarcasm rang clearly in her tone, wondering if he had just said that to make her feel better.
"Really." Kakashi nodded. "I will tell you about it back in Konoha. I don't lie."
"… When I was six, you promised you'd bring chocolates the next time you visited my home. You didn't, you brought those icky vitamins that Mama wanted to give me." She scoffed, feigning an offended look.
"That's different! Didn't know your memory was that good." Kakashi said, a little too defensively as he crossed his arms. "And besides, every growing child and shinobi alike need vitamins in their system."
"You ran away when Mama offered one of her vitamin balls of some sort." She deadpanned, and somehow just the mention of Sakura's food pills sent a chill down Kakashi's spine. It left a sour taste on the tip of his tongue; the taste of which, practically haunted his soul.
"Okay, okay." He sighed, raising his hands in defeat. "You win."
Sarada's lips curved to form a small and relaxed smile, before chuckling at the nostalgically comical conversation they found themselves in. "If anything, I lost. I was the one who had to eat those vitamin balls."
"Poor thing." Kakashi mused, returning a chuckle back.
Silence soon settled comfortably between them, with the both of them finding themselves immersed in the peaceful ambiance that surrounded them. Most would find the scene a little ironic, since they were supposed to be on guard duty. However, neither of them sensed any danger; the winds blew by peacefully, the moon remained hanging in the night sky, its illuminating light reflecting nothing but serenity in the puddles below. The only message the wind relayed was of the buzzing sounds of insects that crept around, coupled along with the nocturnal creatures that wandered in the shadows.
And as Kakashi wondered if the mission would end without much inconvenience; he was reminded of an earlier conversation he shared with Sarada. There was a chance it might agitate her should he bring it up once more, resulting in the peacefulness being shattered. However, he wasn't one to beat around the bush.
"Have you found an answer?" Kakashi asked. "Or thought about it at all?"
"Answer?" Sarada queried back, legs and arms stretching back out as her back straightened itself. "Answer for…?" She repeated, turning towards her mentor.
"About Chidori." Kakashi clarified, and he watched as the smile Sarada wore simmer back down into a troubled frown, and while her reaction sufficed as an answer, he pressed on anyway. "You had a brief feel of its power. You know some of the basics on how to summon the lightning in your palm. But you're also aware using it with a single tomoe in both your eyes can backfire against you.
"So, confronted in a dire situation where you may 'need' to use it, will you?"
"… Knowing that I am left with no options by then, I will. Even if it risky." She answered truthfully, eyes deciding to avert its focus away from Kakashi and to the city ahead, not wanting to witness his disappointment should he disagree with her answer. "After all… you'd need such strength in order to get out of any dire situation."
In contrast to Sarada's beliefs, Kakashi's expression didn't shift into anything akin to disappointment. He wasn't necessarily upset with the answer she supplied. "When you try to use a power above your current level, when you're underprepared, it usually results in failure. And the 'risks' as well as the 'costs' that you mentioned, they don't only fall on you." He reminded casually as he pushed himself back up.
"…Kakashi-sensei," Sarada sighed exasperatedly, rising up to her feet as well. "Why did you teach me the Chidori then, at so early in the stage, when I can't use it? Aren't you preparing me?"
"An obsession with power will only to lead to recklessness, impatience and impulsiveness. It's an insidious thing, like a virus." It wasn't the direct answer Sarada looked for, Kakashi was aware, but he continued anyway. "I just want to see an answer from you, that is all."
Sarada, who more than anything was dissatisfied with his answer (or lack thereof) restrained herself from making or saying anything that might've otherwise be classified as rude. Did all that reading of Icha-Icha inspired Kakashi-sensei to speak in only confusing questions and riddles? What was that book even about, seriously?
"Is this supposed to be a test?" She tried.
"Well—"
Another gust of wind blew by them, but unlike the others before, it carried something unmistakably unsettling along its currents that had been enough to pull both of their attention away from the present conversation to whatever threat that laid ahead. A sense of uneasiness slithered down their backs as they turned to their west, watching as a flock of crying crows scattering themselves to the sky.
Danger was close.
"We'll continue later." Kakashi wrapped up the conversation. "I'm sure I don't have to go over the plan with you again. I'll meet you in the laboratory soon. See you then."
"…Understood, Kakashi-sensei." She replied as he departed from the rooftop.
While the general plan was understood by her, Kakashi's 'lesson' or 'test' or whatever he wished to call it was more than an utter mystery to her. Yes, she wanted power. But 'obsession' was an awfully strong word. And she knew Kakashi wouldn't have used it lightly.
Well… whatever answer he wants… there's only one way to find out. She thought with a sigh as she made her way to her destined location.
Sarada's footsteps were as light as a feather as she made her way towards the laboratory where the 'Chakra' was meant to be stored. Despite the narrowing walls and enclosed space where echoes risked bouncing off the walls, her graceful and stealthy steps betrayed no sound.
Her shoulders only began to tense the moment she sensed some movement quaking from within the destinated room. She assumed the worst and thus cautiously drew out her kunai before letting herself be engulfed into the darkness of the room.
Perhaps activating her Sharingan would've given her an upper hand in the abyss, but she didn't wish for the redness of her eyes to give away her location. She was left to use her other four senses.
Strangely though, the enemy's movement became increasingly frantic. From the sound of shuffling papers came a loud 'thud' from her south.
Either the enemy was exceptionally clumsy, or it was a trap that they wanted to lure her in. Regardless, she knew better than to let her guard down at any given moment. Because trap or not, she felt compelled to investigate. Something felt off.
From the corner, she watched as a silhouette came to life when the enemy in question dragged out the glowing 'Chakra' that had been stored in a safe. How this enemy that had already exhibited a concerning amount of carelessness managed to retrieve the keys to the safe was beyond her; not to mention how it appeared that they even seemed to be struggling to get a good grip of the stored 'Chakra'.
Judging from the silhouette's size, it appeared to be in the form of a man. Then again, given the questionable angling of the shining 'Chakra' and how the said man was trying to roll it away for whatever reason that Sarada couldn't figure, it might've been a really far off estimation. And the only way of confirming the size of the enemy was through approach. Though, aside from the size of the silhouette that might have been distorted given the proximity of the man to the light, it did appear eerily familiar.
Sarada inched herself closer to the target. Upon determining that she was close enough, she sprung herself out and away from the shelter of the shadows; her Sharingan ignited with a burning intensity, kunai gripped tightly, she readied herself to strike—
Until she recognized who the man—or rather, who the boy was; his yelp startling Sarada enough for her momentum in the air to break.
"R-Raku?! What are you doing here?" Sarada gasped, landing a step away from him as her eyes fading back to black. She sheathed her kunai upon confirming that it was him and not some illusion. She didn't wish for the sharp weapon to scare the boy any more than it already did when it was nearly used against him. "It's dangerous!" She added on in a chiding manner before her eyes locked onto the stored 'Chakra'. "And what are you doing with that?"
Much to Sarada's dismay, her words appeared to be sharper than her kunai ever was. She hadn't had the effort to disguise her shock and disapproval at what she assumed was the boy's mischievousness which led him to this area. Frightened, Raku began to shake and stutter, "I… I'm… I…"
Re-adjusting herself, Sarada bent down to his height, both hands holding onto his shoulders gently. "I'm sorry." She said instead as she regained her cool, "I didn't mean to sound harsh… and I'm not mad. I'm just worried. You shouldn't be here… much less by yourself at night. Nor should you be touching objects that could hurt you…" She muttered, eyes briefly scanning her dimly lit surroundings to find some papers scattered across the floor, and other messes she'd rather not squint too much at.
"I'm sorry…" Raku apologised meekly. "I… I didn't want to stay with her so I ran off and was looking for Dad… then I ended up here… and I wanted to see what Dad was working on… I'm so—"
Somewhere along Raku's apologise, an abrupt chilling shift in the air captured Sarada's attention. Without thinking twice, she raised her hand and covered Raku's mouth to silence him.
They were not alone.
And the most stressful part was that Sarada hadn't noticed till now.
"No matter what Raku… I want you to keep calm." Sarada whispered, her hand retracting from Raku's mouth, reaching out to one of her pouches in search for her shurikens. "And stay behind me." She instructed, before tossing three of her shurikens to the ceiling, with Raku simultaneously moving to hide behind her back, his small hands gripping tightly on her clothes for his dear life as the metal cling and clanged; leaving a trace of resounding tension behind when they returned with a lack of response.
"Come out." Sarada hissed, her eyes shifting to a fearsome red once again.
Amidst what was left of the dark, emerged a hooded figure whose ravenette hair was kept neatly into a braid that flowed down from her left side. Based on her other noticeable features, she appeared to be a girl, around Sarada's height and presumably age.
What surrounded her as she approached them was a thick amount of black fog that didn't disperse despite being close to the 'Chakra's' obnoxious brightness. That alone sent warning alarms ringing in Sarada's ear.
"Who are you?" Sarada asked as the figure neared them, the clench on her shurikens growing tight as her feet adjusted itself to a more flexible fighting stance.
"…You may address me as Kurai, Sarada." Ironically, she sounded gentle. Her words were bleak of any menace, and perhaps most other emotions. "And you too, Raku… was it?" She added on as her head angled towards the boy who hid himself further behind Sarada shuddering in fright as the shadowy fog around her intensified in its smoky concentration
"Last chance to surrender." Sarada warned with an edge in her voice, her eyes briefly glancing at the ghostly shadows that encircled Kurai. There was something horrifically disturbing about it—but what it was, she couldn't pinpoint exactly, nor could her Sharingan.
Abruptly, her head jerked forward, letting a kunai pierce through the air and stick itself against the wall. "…The Sixth Hokage… Kakashi?" She guessed, her head turning towards where the kunai was tossed where the white-haired Shinobi stood. However, she paid no mind to him and focused back to where she felt a bothersome glowing light amongst the shadows.
"I am just here for this. Do not interfere." She said calmly, almost politely as her hand reached out for the stored 'Chakra'.
Except, another kunai came in between her and her words, causing the girl's hand to startle back in other to avoid having the weapon stab through her skin with its brute force.
"You aren't going anywhere." Kakashi scowled, dashing forward as his hands already began to shift for battle.
"I've already warned you." Kurai sighed, unveiling her hood to reveal a black masquerade-like mask covering the upper half of her face where Sarada noticed a pair of emerald green hues shining through before it faded to an ominous shade of dark purple.
Snapping her fingers, Kurai whispered a soft mantra in a language Sarada hadn't even heard before.
But that didn't matter, what mattered was how the fog that once encircled her suddenly seem to be taking shape. Eyes widened in alarm, Sarada turned to Kakashi and shouted, "The shadows!"
"Get the boy out of here!" Kakashi yelled back before coming to an immediate halt in his run once he casted the jutsu, his hands crashing against the ground as he summoned, "Earth Style: Mud Wall!" A large wall came to rise, stretching far and wide and not without strategy as it paved way for the Sarada and Raku to escape before the enemy could attempt to tear it down.
However, Kakashi's miscalculations revealed itself far too soon as a pack of shadow wolves jumped through the wall, fangs bared, claws out as they aimed for his throat.
Brows furrowed in frustration, Kakashi managed to dodge the pack and was already on the move for a retaliation. "Fire ball jutsu!" Fingers curved around his lips, he blew a large ball of flame towards the wolves—albeit careful enough to not let the fire spill over to the technology around them, for fear of triggering a much unwanted explosion that may compromise them further.
"Kakashi-sensei, they're still there!" Sarada reported as she spotted their purplish eyes through the cracks of his flame. Sweat started to trickle down from her forehead as her eyes struggled to decipher what these beings were.
Immune to physical obstacles and flame, yet… She glimpsed at the spot where the wolves had landed upon missing their opportunity to strike Kakashi. Claw marks had been violently engraved into the cemented ground. They can hurt.
And to make matters worse, whatever these shadows were, they were not born from genjutsu; for they did not disperse despite her attempts at releasing the delusions.
She watched as Kakashi immediately ceased the burning flames, once again dodging the wolves that—much to their horror—tripled from their original size, growling ferociously with their empty eyes void of anything but the same shade of sinister purple as their master's, full of murderous intent.
"S-Sarada… I'm scared…" Raku whimpered, finding it harder with each passing second to hold back his tears that welled in his eyes.
"It's okay, I'll get you out of here." Sarada reassured as her eyes flickered to the exit where an obstacle stood in her way.
Just great.
The same creatures that were undeterred by Kakashi's mud wall now stood their ground at the exit, blocking Sarada's and Raku's chance from seeking sanctuary away from the ghostly beings of the dark.
Or perhaps, a more suitable word would've been slithered as oppose to stood.
Instead of wolves, snakes that were much taller and wider than their average size obstructed them. Hissing and rattling their tails to irate the two, they waited for their master's commands; whom of which, had been leaning against the door with the 'Chakra' in her hands—dropping and shattering the glass that contained the mixture right after Sarada's attention fixated on her.
"Where is the real one?" She asked, walking through the glowing, sticky liquid that soon dimmed amongst the broken glass. The shadow snakes followed behind, hovering over Kurai protectively, bearing their own set of fangs towards them with heightened malignancy.
Damn it. Sarada had hoped it'd have fooled her longer.
Her Sharingan frantically searched for a blind spot, a weak spot—anything that could give them an advantage.
But there was nothing. She saw nothing, not even a miniscule flaw that she could exploit. It didn't make sense how Kurai's shadows could divide and shapeshift to an animal with the ability to strike and yet no core resided within the dark mist. No chakra strings were woven and attached to these creatures either.
If not puppets, what were they? How could they have even a fragment of strength when there was no life—no chakra imbued within them?
Can one even kill something where nothing but desolation resided?
The air around Sarada grew strained and tensed, her breathing got heavier as the pressure of their atmosphere intensified. Fire was an option that she could use to distract them and flee, but there was a possibility for the same flames to betray her. After all, those wolves appeared to have expanded in size when they were meant to burn and disperse at the touch of Kakashi's fireball. Yet they didn't.
The sound of cackling lightning interrupted Sarada's thoughts; howling agony reverberated in the air before a bright light passed Sarada, slashing through the two predators that had cornered her and Raku.
Lightning bustled within their dark forms, paralysing them in the instant they came into contact with the merciless strike. Eventually the shadows shattered into smoke particles, fading to non-existence just as the whines in torturing ache ceased.
Kakashi's Chidori.
Kurai stumbled back, hand over mouth as she started to cough out blood. It wasn't just her shadows that felt the infliction of Kakashi's brutality, and it seemed like it wouldn't be the last injury she'd take as Kakashi leaped forward towards her without a moment's hesitation; the cacophony of screeching birds at the mercy of his hand, aimed towards her with an unyielding intent.
"Tsk…" She clicked her tongue as the lightning drew close. Seeing no other option left, she let herself be engulfed by the remaining shadows, disappearing quick before Kakashi could've had the opportunity to land a hit.
Ceasing his Chidori at once before its power could've been wasted on cemented floors, Kakashi turned to Sarada with query, "Details?"
"Aside from their shadowy forms that are already visible to the eye, I couldn't see any Chakra gathering within them…" Sarada frowned, still dismayed and baffled by the distressing discovery. "Nor was it a genjutsu or anything of the sort… fire seemed to fuel their size… but your lightning strikes to her shadows was able to inflict damage unto her as well… still…" She bit her lip with vexation, "What was that thing?"
"No use in speculating now." Kakashi spoke in a rush, pinching the bridge of his nose as a wave of contemplative ideas and plans washed upon his mind. His eyes shifted, glimpsing at the tremoring boy who held dearly onto Sarada—who, perhaps even to the girl's unawareness—had her hand clasped over Raku's in comfort while she waited for Kakashi's instructions with expectant eyes.
So that's how it is. Kakashi decided.
"For now, take him somewhere safe. We wouldn't want anyone being held hostage… if she hadn't yet retreated, she might've left to the castle. I'll check there." Kakashi said as he turned his back.
"Understood." Sarada nodded, bending down as she motioned for Raku to get on her back, who obliged without question.
"One more thing." Kakashi added, casting one final glimpse that had more weight than any of his words and warnings did thus far. A gulp went down her throat as the next few words he said seemed to have the utmost gravity. "Be careful, Sarada."
"It's okay Raku, just a little further and we'll be safe." Sarada whispered softly to the boy who nuzzled himself deeper into the back of hers, holding onto her tightly with his eyes sealed shut out of fright of seeing those monsters again.
"… I'm sorry that I was useless…" He apologised quietly, head bowing down against her with shame and guilt. "I'm… I can never be like Captain Ryohei huh…? Sorry… for being a burden back there too…"
"You aren't useless nor a burden." Sarada cooed tenderly, gracefully leaping from branch to branch of the tall, erected trees with broad umbrella leaves that stretched out, shielding them from being spotted by the enemy from above. After going through all her options, Sarada found the forest to be her only option. Going anywhere near the city was a huge no even if guards lingered there. It was better to contain the disaster from spilling chaos into the city.
"Raku is Raku." Sarada said gently, "You have your own strengths just as Captain Ryohei has his… and one day you'll be very strong, you just need… time to find your strengths and nurture it."
"So I must wait until I'm older?" Raku murmured, though Sarada couldn't help to find it akin to a childish whine. "What's so funny?" He pouted, slowly peeking up to catch a glimpse of the Shinobi in front of him chuckling.
He sounds just like me… Sarada recalled how her parents tended to lecture and reassure her with the notion of understanding that came with age.
I'll tell you when you're older. You'll understand then. – That was always the reason they gave. Or excuse; but what would she know? She was a filial daughter who knew better than to probe further to the point of crossing a dangerous line. Even if it irritated her.
Kakashi had been the same as well. 'In time, you'll understand everything'—he had said this to her, along with other similar things of how time was the key to many things. Power. Strength. Maturity.
Perhaps secrets too, Sarada had thought back then.
When it came to power, she could acknowledge some truth in those words. Strength took time, and that was why she was initially in a rush. Though, the concept of pacing herself was starting to gradually settle within her after some of the lessons she took away from Kakashi's trainings even if it hadn't been the main focus.
When it came to knowledge about her clan's past, however, was an entirely different matter. At least to her.
Time had its limitations. It was not an omnipotent force.
"You just sound a little like me." Sarada mused, glancing back to the boy who wore an inquisitive look. She felt a sense of relief upon seeing how he was less anxious now. "Besides—"
Alas, such a tranquil thing was short-lived.
Innocent sounds of the rustling of leaves behind her began to unnerve her.
"…Sarada?" Raku called out.
He nudged her slightly when she didn't respond, repeating her name again with a bit more worry, "Sarada?"
"… No matter what happens, remain calm and quiet for me, okay?" Sarada replied, before landing herself next to one of the bigger trees that she spotted had a burrow at its side. "Hide here for now… scream if anything happens." She said to him before letting him down from her back.
Realising what might soon unravel, Raku protested, "I want to help you this time…!"
Sarada shook her head in dismissal, before bending down to hold both his hands tightly. "In case anything happens to me, I need you to be strong and run to go get help, okay?"
"But… But I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want you to be alone out there…"
While Sarada appreciated his concern, she wished he wouldn't look and be so worried for her. "Shinobis always put others before themselves… I'll be fine on my own. It'll be okay." She smiled.
Wanting to put him more at ease, she extended her pinkie finger to him. "I promise I'll be very strong, as strong as I can and come back safely… as long as you promise you'll stay here and be strong too, and only run to get help if…if you think I need it. How does that sound?"
It sounded suspicious to Raku, who even as a kid could tell that Sarada's words—while not necessarily a lie—wasn't exactly a truth either. It was uncertain, and that was what casted doubt to stir in his heart.
And that doubt would've stayed, if it weren't for the brave and courageous acts he had witnessed Sarada do. He had watched her defend him against the bullies, and against the monsters earlier.
So how could he not have more faith for her?
"Okay…" He extended his own pinkie as Sarada wrapped hers around his, shaking on it.
"It's a promise then." Sarada giggled, before she moved away from him and made her way towards the large pond ahead; a couple of feet away from Raku's safe-spot. Close enough to keep an eye on him so he wouldn't be snatched away, but far enough to let go of her cheery façade.
The water was still, so were the leaves that didn't sway for the lack of wind brisking by. Silence dwelled, hanging uncomfortably in the air with its lack of life buzzing and bustling through the forest—so where did that rustling sound come from earlier on?
Nothing. Sarada gritted her teeth as she scanned her surroundings with her Sharingan. Even if it couldn't pinpoint the shadows, it could've pinpointed the user, however that hadn't been the case.
Could the shadows be able to be far from the user? Sarada considered, with the assumption that Kakashi had guessed Kurai's plan correctly which involved breaking into the castle that was notably quite a distance from the forest. Perhaps she chose to dispense a few of her shadows to tail me once she recovered from Kakashi's Chidori…
Chidori… Sarada's mind drifted off, pondering about how that form of lightning had been effective against the enemy's pawns.
But I can't use it. She told herself—She ordered herself. If not Kakashi-sensei will… ah, whatever. She quickly shrugged it off, figuring the situation wouldn't escalate to that extent.
Right?
It wasn't as if that was the only lightning jutsu that existed out there in the Shinobi world.
"I know you're there, come out." Sarada groaned, "Let's not drag this out." To no avail however, the stale silence was still what greeted her.
To shrug it off as paranoia would be a mistake. Sarada knew what she felt even if her eyes couldn't catch it at sight. The only problem now was to figure how to draw the monster out before it could use Raku as a victim to exploit.
Think, Sarada, think. She knew time was running thin, anymore hesitance would only invite her opponent to make the first move that could determine the outcome of the battle. I could use other lightning jutsus to briefly scare them away if I'm choosing to go on the defensive… but even then it won't last long. And… as for fire…
Whether the shadows expanded at the hands of an ignited flame still remained as a theory, and given the dire predicament Sarada found herself in, she certainly wasn't crazy and brazen enough to test it twice for the sake of confirma—
Or was she?
That's it! Sarada smirked, her hands setting themselves in motion the second the idea struck her. "You leave me no choice!" She exclaimed exasperatedly, weaving a string of familiar hand signs that caught a peculiar creature's attention.
Tearing away from the safety of its camouflage, a shadow wolf—arguably thrice the size of an average bear—emerged and leaped towards Sarada's direction with a vicious force, the animal grinning conceitedly as it prepared itself to embrace her flames.
Now is my chance!
.
.
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Author's notes:
Hey! It's been a while haha, sorry life's been a drag sighh. Originally, I planned to end the whole Crescent Moon City arc here, but the moment the word count had hit 10k+ I decided to separate it as I didn't want it to be too wordy T-T. I doubt I can update anytime soon due to exams and other personal life things but I hope to be able to update more regularly when December hits. Thank you for understanding thus far~
Soo, what do you guys think of Kurai? Fun fact: her personality was meant to be more eccentric but then I decided against it so I had to rewrite most of her dialogue to suit a more calm and collected persona ;~; (?)
I hope you guys don't mind a few minor OCs here and there since I know some readers may dislike it. Regardless, this fanfic will mostly be Sarada-centric and for the most part her relationship with existing characters would be focused on more (as a whole/overall), especially with Kakashi as her mentor ofc haha. Anywayyt, next chapter is where Sarada will find herself not only in a tough battle but in a conflict hoho... what will she choose hm...
That aside, let me know what you think! Please and feel free to leave a review or any questions/confusion you may have! Constructive criticism is welcomed too! Have a nice day y'all, and thank you for reading, staying and being patient! It means a lot :)
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