Icewater

Chapter 14: Breathe

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Madara leapt backwards as King Hiashi let out a startled shout. The rocks, hot and sharp, shot past a few Hyuuga members, scratching them. They winced and yelped.

Even Sasuke visibly flinched, turning his body to shield Sakura's from any flying debris from her attack.

But what scared her the most was the way Madara's eyes flew to meet her own, narrowed and accusing.

"Search the area for sorcerers," he called to the guards. "We must re-locate, King Hiashi."

Nodding to the other Hyuuga, King Madara shot one last glare at Sakura before stomping out.
Sasuke took a sharp breath before grabbing Sakura's hand and pulling her back behind the curtain.

"Are you okay?" he asked. She nodded, and he turned to the healers surrounding the Hyuuga Princess. "I will take her," he said, and the healers reluctantly moved aside. As he lifted her gently, Sakura looked back to the spot she had exploded. It still smoked, and she immediately regretted what she had done.

Now Madara knows even more, she mentally rebuked herself. How could I have been so stupid?

His words were an insult to our Mother, replied her Inner hotly.

But still! Every thing he knows about me can be used against
me!

Sasuke stood, and Sakura wordlessly spread the curtain so he could leave.

I do agree with that, her Inner said reluctantly.

I can't go revealing merfolk secrets like healing just
because I can't control my temper!

Sakura walked ahead of Sasuke and opened the door, then followed him out with as much dignity as she could muster.

As long as he doesn't know I have my voice back, I've still got a secret up my gills, she thought. As long as he doesn't know I have my voice back, I'm in control.

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It was musty.

That was his first thought when he came to.

Then: My face is wet.

Gradually, Gaara felt his senses returning to him. He heard water splashing, and his sister sobbing quietly. Or maybe that was Kankuro. Either way, someone was crying.

The rock beneath him was either very mossy or very slimy. Possibly both. He didn't want to think about that one too much. His mouth was impossibly dry. He had the most disgusting taste in his mouth, as if he had eaten carrion.

Slowly, almost painfully, he opened his eyes.

It was dark. And slightly green; he figured it had to do with the lights... Green lights?

He had only ever seen something comparable to this within one of the underwater caves in Antlantica's deep ocean, where green crystals stood erect like carved statues. Those rocks glittered, but these lights burned. He squinted, groaning as fatigue overcame him. How long had he been unconscious?

"Gaara," his sister said, voice hoarse. "Gaara, we've got to leave. Gaara."

He winced as he sat up, clutching at his heart, which throbbed painfully.

"H-How long was I...?" he began. His sister wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly, and Kankuro sniffed rather obnoxiously.

"Too long," said his brother, flipper banging against the ground twice. "Can you make it over there?"

Gaara followed Kankuro's pointed finger and saw a pool of water, and subsequently started, realizing he was out of the water.

"No time," Temari said before Gaara could begin to ask. "We lost that ages ago. C'mon!"

Gaara pulled himself to the edge of the little pool, wincing as his scales grated against the stone walls around them.

"A cave." He said it with certainty. It made sense, and the pieces were falling into place. "Sea witch Chiyo." He frowned and looked around, and saw a faint green light in a cavern further in. His sister and brother called for him as he turned around and headed that way, but he paid no heed.

Something must have happened to cause his siblings to have been desperate brought to have brought him to Chiyo. She was powerful, but her connection with the demise of Arcticia had brought an association of taboo: she was an outcast, and no one was to see her.

He dragged himself into the room.

Chiyo lay on a bed made of soft moss in a corner of the room. In the center was a bowl-shaped contraption; Gaara heard gurgling within it, and from it rose a great green glow.

Flames, he thought, realizing what they were as they crackled. Green flames were aglow inside the bowl.

Gaara's eyes fell to Chiyo again.

Something pink lay in a basket by her bed. He scooted over to it, then lightly touched Chiyo's palm.

There was no pulse, although her body was still warm.

She was dead.

Suddenly everything snapped into place.

He said a quick prayer over her body, then called his siblings over.

"She wanted her body to stay here," Temari said softly, her eyes not meeting his. "She wanted to be buried in the place she called home."

Gaara looked at the cavern.

It was a dark, secluded place, somewhere between the civilization of the present and the ruins of the past.

Gaara nodded.

"Then that's how it will be," he said.

He reached down into the basket and retrieved some of what was inside it.

What he found confirmed his suspicions of what had happened.

He held a handful of pink tresses.

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Sakura collapsed on her bed, exhausted. The daylight would be arriving any moment now, yet she hadn't slept a wink at all. She supposed she should sleep now, since that was probably what everyone else would be doing, but try as she might, she couldn't. Her mind wouldn't let her forget her time with Sasuke, and her heart wouldn't let her forget what he did to her. She was breathless sometimes with him. He was... well... Sasuke.

And that made all the difference.

She was sitting in her bed, not having laid down yet, when Ino entered.

"Good morning!" she said cheerily, closing the door behind her. Sakura hastily flopped downwards, pulling her blanket over her head.

Oh, no! she thought desperately. I can't possibly go to court today! Not after—

The look in Madara's eyes after she had shot at his feet made her feel cold all over and filled her with dread.

"Oh, come on, sunlight isn't all that bad!" Ino chastised from the other side of the blanket in a reason manner. Sakura heard her shoes tapping on the ground.

She was going to open the window.

The window the guards were watching her from.

She shot out of bed and leapt over to the curtains, grabbing them and pulling them closer behind her as she faced Ino.

The blonde girl frowned.

"Wha...?" She gave Sakura a perplexed glance. "What...?"

"I-I can explain," Sakura automatically responded.

For a few agonizing moments, there was dead silence.

And then Ino screamed.

"Shhhh!" Sakura shushed Ino hurriedly.

"But-But you just-"

"I can explain!" Sakura said quickly. "Just... Let me... Please." Her voice became a whisper. "Please let me explain..."

Ino calmed down, taking a deep breath.

"Okay," said the blonde, "Shoot."

Sakura took a deep breath herself.

"It starts with a legend where I come from..." she began.

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"Hmm..."

Ino was frowning, brushing Sakura's hair. After freaking out for a good half hour or so, Ino had accepted Sakura's story as truth. Currently, they were talking about Tsunade's past within the castle walls.

"I just need records," Sakura said. "Or something like them. Something that could hold visitor information."

"We don't keep logs of who comes and goes," admitted Ino. "Let's see... Records... Records..." She combed a knot from Sakura's hair. "Maybe the history books would have something on it. There's a castle library," she continued, using the brush to pull half of Sakura's hair back. "If there's anything about a mermaid - could you pass me the blue ribbon? Thanks - about a mermaid from ages ago, it'd be there." She tied the ribbon into a bow, and tightened it a bit. "I can show you, if you'd like." Ino fluffed Sakura's hair a bit. "What do you think? Like it?"

"Yes," Sakura said distractedly, only glancing at her reflection for a moment. It was still difficult to see herself with blonde hair. "Oh!" She realized something and turned in her chair to face her blonde companion. "What are we going to do about my hair tomorrow?" she asked, worried. "It's going to be pink again!"

Ino laughed. "We'll just give you one of those awful, gaudy bobbles the shallow court ladies wear." Ino winked as Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Don't worry," she assured, "I'll find something decent for you." She clapped. "Stand and twirl, please!"

Sakura did as Ino said, letting the gown she wore float about her as she spun. Ino laughed.

"It goes so well!" she said happily. "It even matches the bracelet Prince Sasuke gave to you!" she remarked. She lightly touched the blue ribbon in Sakura's hair. "And this really brings out your eyes."

Sakura smiled warmly at Ino.

"Thank you," she said sincerely. "I can't imagine how I would have lasted as long as I have without your help."

Ino waved her hand dismissively.

"The outfit only emphasizes your natural femininity," she explained, grinning. "Wooing Sasuke has been all you!"

Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Even so," she said, "Thank you, Ino."

Ino's blue eyes softened.

"Any time, Sakura," she responded. "I haven't known you for long, but... I consider you a friend."

Sakura smiled.

"As do I," she replied.

Ino clapped her hands.

"Well, let's not keep those dusty old history books waiting!" she said brightly. "Follow me! And REMEMBER," she said, dropping her voice, "Don't say a thing."

Sakura nodded.

I won't, she thought to herself.

Ino led her down the hallway, and then down multiple flights of stairs; if she wasn't breathless after that, she certainly was by the time they'd crossed the multiple gardens leading to the library.

It was a secluded building, and from the outside almost resembled a greenhouse. Ivy grew on the walls, and Sakura was reminded of the coral reef protecting her castle in the way the ivy twisted and spread out and over itself.

"I thought we could spend some time reading together," Ino said loudly. "It's something to do, since you can't speak and all. Ahh," she sighed dramatically, "Well, you'll have entertainment this way, at least." She crinkled her nose. "Personally, I despise reading. It doesn't come naturally to women like me." Ino continued to prattle on about nothing in particular while she opened the door.

They entered, and Sakura was suddenly overcome by a wonderful scent.

"It always reeks of ink and paper," said Ino, waving her hand in front or her face. "I much prefer the archive books, myself. Sure, there's dust, but nobody catches you napping there!" She motioned for Sakura to follow her, and the two girls made their way to the very back of the library.

Sakura was fascinated. Knowledge was stored in books, and there were hundreds upon hundreds of books stored here. The thought of being able to see someone's thoughts from thousands of years ago was invigorating, even moreso than the smell of books was intoxicating.

Sakura followed Ino as they passed rows and rows of books stacked together neatly on wooden shelves.

In Konoha, they make everything from the bark of the forest trees, don't they?she asked herself.

Well, it's a good resource, and there's plenty of it, responded her Inner. They may as well.

Sakura agreed with her other half.

It's very strong, she said, recalling the ship In the Ridges. Didn't Sasuke say the spirits resided in the forest? She looked around herself. Maybe they bless the bark the humans use so it doesn't rot.

If they blessed it, it would never break, replied her Inner. Besides, we're not here to discuss what may or may not live outside Konoha; we're here to find who used to live inside it.

Sakura nodded.

Right, sorry, she replied. I got sidetracked.

I noticed, replied her Inner in a semi-teasing tone.

Ino finally stopped in front of a long corridor lit with torches. Sakura glanced up at the fire and then hurried forward.

It's scary in close quarters, she thought, walking just a bit closer to Ino.

Mother said it could burn.

I know, she thought back. And I—

"Owch!" Ino cried. Sakura backtracked a bit, gasping. She had stepped on the back of Ino's light pink slippers, and evidently must have injured her friend, who was wincing and looking back at her right ankle.

"I'm sorry," Sakura said automatically, "I ju-"

"Please don't step on me again!" she said loudly, reaching forward and grabbing Sakura's arm. "I forgive you, don't worry!" she said, and then pulled Sakura into a hug. "Don't talk!" she hissed into her ear. "What if someone heard you?"

With that, Ino pulled away and hurried forward, and after a stunned moment, Sakura shook herself and followed suit.

At the end of the hall was a wooden door. Ino opened it, and the two girls entered.

The first thing Sakura noticed about the room was how many dust particles she saw in the sunlight streaming from the high stained glass windows. It practically pooled down, there was so much of it. Ino sneezed quickly, rubbed her nose, and ushered Sakura forward, closing the door behind them.

The second thing Sakura noticed was that there were stacks of old, crinkled, yellow parchment papers, piled high on each other and spaced unevenly throughout the room.

Finally, she took in the sheer space of the room itself.

Its size rivaled that of the court. Bookcases stood in the center of the room, rows and rows of them, and thin wooden shelves holding even more books lined the walls. Ino swept over to a pile of papers, plucked the top piece off, glanced at it, and then began waving it around herself and sweeping it across the nearest paper piles; plumes of dust drifted in her wake. She made her way to a window, and Sakura followed her to it.

Ino pointed to a metal contraption by the bottom of the window.

"It's a bolt," she explained, putting her paper down on the slanted windowsill. "You pull it like this-" she demonstrated; it snapped to the other side -"And then heave!" At this, Ino pushed the window open, and it flung outwards with a monstrous creak. A gust of wind greeted them, billowing forth and causing a few stray pieces of parchment to tumble about.

Ino dusted her hands off, retrieved her parchment, and grinned at Sakura.

"Open the windows in the back, if you would, please," she ordered more than asked. Sakura nodded, smiling back, and laid he hands atop a pile to reach for a paper.

A sharp but slight pain to her pinkie made her gasp and pull her hand back. She examined her finger.

Blood? she thought, somewhat in wonder, somewhat in confusion. The paper made me bleed?

Ino was by her side in a moment, examining the wound and then giggling.

"It's a paper cut," she explained to Sakura. "When the air is dry, and when your skin is dry, and when a piece of parchment is as thin as the one you touched-" she lifted it carefully, showing it to Sakura -"You can cut your finger. If your finger is on it." She waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry, it's not deep at all. You won't notice it in a few moments."

Sakura healed her finger quickly. Ino watched, a bit taken aback despite already knowing Sakura had this ability, before nodding.

"Now, about those windows!"

They cleaned and cleaned until no dust was left; by this point, the morning was over. Ino brought a light lunch for them to snack on.

For the remainder of the afternoon, they poured over the old castle archives.

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AN: Not much happening, but the last scene is important to lead into a key turning point in the story.

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