Chapter 26: A Memory Of You
"Memory's truth, because memory has its own special kind. It selects, eliminates, alters, exaggerates, minimizes, glorifies, and vilifies also; no sane human being ever trusts someone else's version more than his own."
― Salman Rushdie, Midnight's Children
Naruto & Hinata
"Ugh, this is exhausting, y'know!"
Naruto can't help the groan that escapes his lips, shakes away exhaustion creeping into his eyes. He focuses himself back on applying pressure and heat to the inky black that still stains his and Hinata's thread.
It's a slow process in regards to breaking a seal, it's no wonder few studied in fūinjutsu outside of the Uzumaki clan.
'How did Dr. Sakaguchi have the patience for this?!'
All his notes never mentioned the hours long process this would entail, but then again perhaps he hadn't had the time to truly list out the steps.
It makes sense to him now why so few Heartbreaker Woman exist in the World with how tedious the task is of repairing one's thread is on top of the rarity of breaking a seal put upon it. Pervy-sage used to force him to spend afternoons studying his clan's culture and jutsu, but even with everything he learned back then both he and Hinata's lack of experience in this subject won't make it quick and easy.
Just as they near hour 4 the sky outside begins to take on shades of violets and golds, Naruto feeling hope bloom across his chest taking in their thread.
It's begun to glow.
Perhaps in seeming reward for their effort, the charcoal black has lifted enough to reveal a brilliant red that matches the coming sunset. A dark portion remains, maybe a little less than 50% though Naruto lets out a loud whoop of cheer that earns them Tomiko's glare once more as she makes her final rounds among the library's aisles.
"Closing time is an hour you two; don't make me have to alert Mr. Bushida you're being too noisy!" She instructs sternly, though a smile plays at her lips glad they found use for those dusty scrolls most of Konoha has forgotten about.
'And just in time too considering the meeting Mr. Bushida had with Danzo of wanting to destroy the last of the Uzumaki records kept here for safekeeping after the Second Shinobi World War.' Tomiko considers.
She isn't sure what the man would do to Bushida for ignoring his order and holding on to scrolls and notes anyways. Even if they were meant to have been long destroyed during Lord Third's tenure...
"Do you need a break Naruto?" Hinata mentions as Tomiko leaves them be, her fingers already start to twitch and relax just saying that aloud.
GRRR!
Instantly, Hinata reddens, blush staining her cheeks her stomach would betray her now of all times.
Naruto chuckles, devious grin lighting his face making her face burn a degree hotter.
"Looks like you need the break more than I do Hinata! But yeah, let's call it a night and get Ichiraku's on the way home, y'know!"
His fingertips glide against hers as they head into late evening light, crowds outside filled with businessmen hurrying home and the coming night markets and red light districts about to burst to life.
Hinata pauses them right outside restaurant alley, ignores her stomach's low gurgle again at the scent of spiced meats and roasted herbs fill the area.
It can wait, everything else can wait.
"It doesn't hurt, not really! You feel it too, right?!" She murmurs aloud in delighted surprise.
Naruto takes her in, the rising smile upon her pink lips, the sway of her violet hair, the brightness of her opalescent eyes as she boldly steps right up against his chest.
He blinks, puzzled before it instantly clicks, smiles warmly pulling them into the shadows of the trees before any passing civilian can spot them.
"Our thread you mean?! Well, I could handle the pain no matter what! But what do you plan to do about it now Hinata?" He whispers into the crook of her neck.
"What I've wanted to do for so long." Hinata breathes out, laughs between a hiccup of rising tears.
"Ah don't cry Hinata! These...These are happy tears, right?"
Hinata giggles, nodding. "Of course! I just thought when Father first sealed our thread that I would...I would always be in pain near you, but now..."
Naruto's smirks hugging her close in understanding, wipes away teardrops as they fall and Hinata sighs at his touch needing to say no more, that for the first time in weeks it doesn't ache or burn to feel the heat of his fingertips, ocean blue of his eyes heating her from head to toe.
Her lips catch with his, entangling herself into the scent of wood and spice, everything that is Naruto.
Sakura
'I shouldn't be here.'
The realization unwinds the hard knot of envy somewhat that she and Sasuke might never get to share such a moment so openly here back in Konoha, stepping back quickly off the grassy pathway allowing Naruto and Hinata their well deserved privacy.
She should've just gone her normal route to pick up the roast pork her Mom just had to forget earlier from the markets, but taking the main route means most likely running into Ino.
And potentially Sai.
Both will have questions for her, questions she herself isn't sure she wants to answer or handle right now.
Shikamaru already voiced his suspicions and concerns to her directly that she's walking a dangerous line still associating with Sasuke. Lady Tsunade's patience is wearing thin too with Homura and Koharu's constant complaints in her ear to demote her status as medic nin and revoke her status as a kunoichi. It's all a bit strange to hear from him of all people knowing his once typical laziness, though maybe Temari on top of Asuma's death has made him take matters like this seriously.
"Look. I know what having your red thread near or in distress can do to a person, but you realize Sasuke is set to be marked as an international criminal at the Summit meeting, right?" Shikamaru voices.
Her first break of the day and he's ambushed her in her office.
The one place she can't escape or ignore his looming shadow.
Sakura barely hides a bristle as she straightens herself in her chair. First Shino, now Shikamaru? Just how many of her old classmates are going to come visit her under the guise of 'advice' or 'friendly reminders'?
She plasters on a smile as she glances up from her paperwork, knows Shikamaru can she through her fake grin as she nods agreeably.
"I'm aware Shikamaru. I just don't think we should give up on Sasuke yet. Naruto and I-"
"Naruto agrees with the rest of us. Sasuke's association with the Akatsuki was a turning point for him, especially after their former leader harmed Hinata. While it would be nice to have his old friend/rival back, protecting the village and Hinata comes first for him." Shikamaru curtly interrupts.
Sakura stills, feels like the ground beneath her has become unleveled; quaking.
When was Naruto going to tell her or Kakashi-sensei that?
She glances down to her pen now snapped in two, blue ink marring her hands from her pressure, the sapphire color trickles down staining her notes, Sakura quickly moving her hands away.
Great.
She heads for the sink to wash her hands all the while feeling Shikamaru's steely glare, finally pushes herself to catch his gaze properly once more in the mirror.
There are 10 patients in her schedule she still needs to round on. Satoko and Misako Aoki in particular, twin sisters injured back during the Konoha crush are still in the pediatric intensive care unit. Her most difficult cases in regards to their needs related to their tracheotomy tube and skin grafts respectively.
Her mouth is dry, when did she last drink or eat something?
"I'll talk to Naruto once I get off shift. Thanks for letting me know!" Sakura manages to chirps out.
Shikamaru sighs, scratches a hand through his auburn locks.
"Just don't make this anymore troublesome then it needs to be Sakura."
He knows nothing about their team to give her such advice.
It's unfortunate she'll have to save that conversation with Naruto for tomorrow or even later this week with how busy he seems to be either with training or in meetings along with she herself doing constant rounding and aiding in various day surgeries.
She absently twists towards the smell of taiyaki, yakisoba, and mochi. The butcher shop doesn't close until 8:30 pm, glancing towards the center square clock to see it's nearing half past 6:00 pm.
Sakura moves towards the first stand that beckons her, happily passes over the spare ryo she has in her pockets to get box full of takoyaki. The steam wafts and dances around her cheeks, they used extra mayo and bonito flakes to make each one truly savory.
"All those salts and sugars may go to straight to your thighs Forehead." A voice quirks behind her making her twitch.
'I can't even enjoy a quick snack in peace!' Sakura restrains a scowl, half-turning.
Ino.
"Don't be mean to Ugly, Beautiful. Sakura, you've been so busy with cases at the hospital, haven't you? It's making your skin even paler than mine I think, you should try taking more naps." Sai adds in wisely.
Sakura nods tightly, keeps her mouth locked to not rise to his usual tart comments.
Ino smiles, mumbles something to him that gets him to nod and leave them be, strolling towards the stands selling various paint supplies and chalk.
"He's getting better with his remarks, honest!" Ino giggles as Sakura watches him go with a dry stare.
Hunger stops her from immediately making a snarky comeback, popping one of the dough balls right against her tongue despite the heat, offering her basket out to her.
Ino shakes her head, holds up two skewers of grilled yakitori and ikayaki. "Nah, I'm covered with snacks here courtesy Sai, want to sit and talk?"
She points to a free table a few feet away and Sakura mentally debates what said 'talking' will involve before shrugging and letting her lead the way.
'Rather as well get this over with.' Sakura sighs.
Soy sauce drips down along Ino's thumb, but her sky blue eyes continue to regard her, Sakura shuffling her feet hating this mix of anticipation and frustration for her old friend to just say something already.
"You enjoy seeing me squirm Pig; don't you?!" Sakura can't help but grunt when a long minute passes of Ino just looking at her.
Ino smirks, takes a bite off the head of her ikayaki with a shrug. "Maybe! But seriously Sakura, you've been hearing the rumors from your patients, right? All the old ladies who visit the flower shop like clockwork on Tuesdays keep asking me for details on why you haven't cut your red thread from Sasuke already."
Sakura picks at her remaining 3 balls of takoyaki, feels the ones already in her stomach starting to curdle and stick.
"Geez Pig, everyone is always asking me why! They act as if they've forgotten Sasuke's difficult past knowing his clan's massacre, the boy he used to be and that I still see in him."
Ino whistles. "The sex is really that good, huh? Either that or he knows the right spots to kiss you!"
Sakura's face burns red. "You're one to talk Ino! Didn't you say you've finally let Sai start drawing you nude-"
Ino is up and beside her oldest friend before she can finish that sentence, covering her mouth while looking around restlessly.
"Quiet Sakura; I told you that as my private confidant! We have customers who visit these night markets and bazaars who could easily pass that info along to my Dad! Do you know how long it took him just to agree to let Sai actually come over for a proper dinner knowing how freely he speaks his mind?!"
"I'm well aware incase you forgot that he nicknamed me Ugly." Sakura gently retorts.
Ino beams, fluffs up her blonde locks. "He knew you weren't his red thread match unlike me, his 'Miss Beautiful!'"
Sakura rolls her eyes. "You know he only called you that so you wouldn't beat the crap out of him like I was going to, right?"
Ino sticks out her tongue. "Whatever! Once he saw my true strength and beauty both inside and out and not just because of us just being thread matches, the nickname stuck!
Sakura says nothing for a moment, giggling at what their conversation has divulged into. Her gaze turns skyward towards the coming moon, a scattering of gold and white stars against a purpling sky. For a moment she can pretend it's a regular late spring or summer day just idly gossiping and discussing their dreams and goals for the future. That Sasuke is still here in the village and will walk her home, not miles away set to kill the man who almost became the 6th Hokage.
Ino leans her head against her shoulder the same way they all the time as kids, illusion melting away.
"You need to make up your mind Sakura. Naruto did, he'll fight Sasuke with the intent to kill if it comes down to it. It would be painful, but he would do it to put an end to this road of hatred he's on."
Sakura blows out a breath, forces herself to munch on another takoyaki. It's nearing 7:30 pm already, maybe old man Shunichi will take pity on her and provide her with a well preserved piece of pork he didn't manage to sell today without asking too many questions.
"I'll talk to Naruto." She grumbles as she moves to stand.
Ino arches a brow, sees something in her jade orbs she doesn't like before pursing her lips.
"Don't. You're not going to be able to easily sway his mind."
Gone are the days of their childhood, having a red thread now changes everything.
Sakura scoffs, adjusts her medical bag back on.
"I have to try Ino; we were Team 7. Naruto at one point told me he wouldn't abandon Sasuke because he saw him like a brother, saw how similar they grew up feeling alone and isolated from everyone else with their families gone! I can't just let Sasuke fall into the darkness completely without trying to stop it! Besides, Naruto knows the pain too of being separated from your red thread by outside circumstances. This situation with Sasuke and I is similar enough to his own with Hinata that I think he'll understand."
She just needs to remind him of that.
Konoha Fairgrounds-Tobi/Obito
'Is there a festival happening today?'
It crowded for a weeknight, perhaps it's a high tourist season for Konoha.
He blends in easily with bear, hawk, and fox masks scattered about, pays no mind to the children darting between his legs too focused on their games of tag to hide and seek. Naruto could easily be somewhere within these hordes of people, though with everyone here hiding their faces he may have already passed him by.
"Ruka, that's enough! We're about to head home now!" A woman's voice abruptly shouts from his right, beckoning a girl running near him.
A squeal of laughter follows, the woman marching forward roughly bumping into him as Ruka moves deeper into a group of dancers twirling ribbons the color of flames.
"Let me see the dancers first Mama! Look how pretty their kimonos are!" Ruka cheers.
For a second he's reminded of the days he came here with his Grandmother, watched his fellow clansmen breath fire into the shapes of tigers to dragons to celebrate the New Year or at the start of summer and winter festivals.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! You're okay, right!" The woman cries looking Tobi over quickly while trying to keep an eye on Ruka.
Tobi merely shrugs before doing a double take.
'Those markings upon her face...'
"Rin?" He whispers.
But then he looks closer and sees it's crimson streaks not Rin's violet marks upon the woman's face.
Someone from the Inuzuka clan.
"I'm alright, get going." He grunts, harsher than he intended as the woman hastily scurries away to follow after her daughter.
He watches them go, grits his teeth at the rush of coming memories. These echoes of giggles don't change no matter how many years past. Same red and gold lanterns wrapped around each streetlight, the smell of candied apples and fried noodles in the air...
It's all just a reminder of her, what could've been had she'd lived past that fateful day.
"Oi Rin, your 13th birthday is this autumn, right? Excited?" Natsuko giggles.
Obito pauses, hides himself back against the brick wall. His stomach swells and he wishes he hadn't indulged his sweet tooth on so many cotton candies and glazed pocky sticks.
February came and went without him seeing the glow of his red thread.
Even though Granny said not to worry, that not all red threads manifest on one's 13th birthday, he still felt his whole body go numb to keep waking up again and again no different than yesterday compared to his peers.
'You won't be alone Obito; I promise! Your Grandpa didn't find me until my 15th birthday! Even then, you know many in our clan don't always end up with their thread matches due to missions. In those cases they end up with second or even third love romantic partners." Granny advises, Obito unable to hide a rising smile despite having long memorized the story of how Grandpa and Grandma met.
Kana beams, looping their arms together pulling him back to here and now. "Of course she's excited Natsuko; we all are! We're finally going to see who Kakashi's red thread will turn out to be by September! May the best girl win, which means me by the way!"
Natsuko snorts. "Don't get carried away Kana! Your red thread match might be Obito for all you know!"
Obito stiffens, palms growing damp at his side.
His heart thrums wildly trying to see Rin's expression, nails digging into brick.
Kana's face crumples into disgust. "Eww, no way! Saying that even aloud is bad luck! I'd probably go to a Heartbreaker Woman if I got paired with him!"
Natsuko laughs. "Even worse than Gai and his daily morning youth practices?"
Kana rubs her chin before nodding. "Yes! Obito's always challenging Kakashi to stupid matches he always loses, at least Gai sometimes wins if only because of his high stamina. I heard he's not even that good at his clan most infamous jutsu."
'The fireball jutsu?' Obito winces at the recollection of his horrible display from weeks ago during field practice.
'Ugh, what does she know?! Kana doesn't even come from a noble clan!' He scoffs under his breath.
"Hey, Obito isn't that bad you two! He's gotten a lot stronger since the early days of us starting at the Academy." Rin comes to his defense and Obito feels his heart jump in relief that Rin will always be by his side.
Natsuko simply hums. "Hmm, but don't you love Kakashi Rin? I thought Obito was just your childhood friend. You want Kakashi to be your red thread too, don't you?"
Obito peeks his head around the corner, dreading and desiring to hear Rin's answer all at once as bile begins to skim the back of his tongue finally seeing her features change at her friends endless curiosity.
A telltale blush forms across her cheeks, chestnut eyes gazing downward avoiding her friends pressuring stares.
"I do love Kakashi and yes I want him as my red thread, but that doesn't mean I want Obito to be alone." Rin murmurs, barely loud enough to catch that he nearly trips over himself in straining to hear her. Kana and Natsuko instantly squeal in knowing and agreement, gush about how lucky she is to be on his team with Minato-sensei, Obito tuning out the rest of their conversation.
The knots in his chest and throat sink to his stomach like stones.
Kakashi.
Of course Rin loves him, her eyes always gazing to him first at how cool he seemingly is, his skill on and off the battlefield, and apparently his handsome looks all the girls in their class rant on about even though Kakashi never takes his damn mask off!
Obito immediately wedges himself into the shadows as the girls pass him to head back to class, sighing taking in Rin's still flushed cheeks.
"It's always Kakashi..."
Tobi blinks the memory out of sight, Obito is dead now to the world. Everyone he knew and loved long since passed too with the massacre. He walks deeper into the crowds, notes the happy faces of strangers so calm and naïve of what's coming.
He just needs to catch a glimpse of Naruto, ensure he's truly here within the village.
Once he captures the Nine Tails, nobody else will ever have to experience the pain he went through.
Sasuke
"I see you've improved quite a bit since defecting from the village." Danzo remarks, impressed at his skill.
However, none of it will be enough to defeat him.
Sasuke scoffs, cracks his knuckles as Danzo undoes his bandaged arm.
It's just like Sakura said, the eyes of his dead clansmen gaze back at him.
Fu and Torune attempt to block him in, but Danzo waves them way.
"Don't worry you two, I can handle him. Focus on dealing with Tsunade and other Kage." He orders, the two disappearing with a nod.
Danzo turns his attention back to Sasuke, scoffs.
"You could've led such a simple and uneventful life, you know that don't you? Many Uchiha boys your age didn't even live long enough to see or even get a red thread like you have. I suppose you're just too much like Itachi, always having a snarky retorts on hand and never properly following through on orders given to him unlike my Root shinobi." He frowns.
A twinge of rage races down him from head to toe at hearing Itachi's name said so flippantly, thoughts of Sakura skittering through his mind before forcing himself to focus on the man who played an active role in Itachi's decision to go through with their clan's massacre.
"Why did you make the choices you did? Why did my clan have to die?" Sasuke questions.
Danzo merely shrugs fanning the flames of his anger, gleeful maybe watching it burn at him from the inside. "It was necessary knowing what the Uchiha planned to do. A coup would've just led to a civil war within Konoha, would make our nation look weak to the others that we couldn't keep our own clans from infighting."
His words only serve as ugly reminders of Team 7, the noble shinobi clans he grew up learning about in Konoha during long boring morning lectures Iruka-sensei would love to drag out.
'What happens after you complete revenge Sasuke?' Sakura's words echo in his ear.
He finds his answer hasn't changed: Konoha's destruction.
Starting with Danzo.
Sasuke clicks his teeth, he needs to put Sakura out of his mind for good.
He readies his chidori, finishing this quickly is his best option no matter what type of tricks Danzo tries to pull. He feels Tobi or maybe one of his clones watching him from the deeper parts of the woods, always observing; waiting.
"Sasuke, don't make any hasty decisions!" Karin calls out, Suigetsu and Jugo running up behind her to keep her at a bay.
"Start from the beginning, where did you get those eyes? Did you collect them off the corpses of my clansmen at Konoha's morgue right after the massacre was said and done?" Sasuke growls
Danzo chuckles, dodges the rush of lightning as it strikes through the trees to the right, turns bark into jagged pieces of ash and wood.
"Nothing you need to worry about. More importantly, I'll be adding your eyes to my collection once this is all said and done. Despite what Itachi might've told you, I'm sure he sees the benefit at the good use I've put to the sharingan in keeping the village prosperous; safe from inside and outside forces."
Sasuke breathes in deep, erupts forth a river of flames Danzo appears to fade right through.
'So that's his Izanagi at play.' He notes, calculates how long it lasts as one sharingan eye shuts upon his arm.
"I've heard enough. Killing you via the eyes you stole will be a fitting death." Sasuke announces, violet flames dancing up around him.
Danzo smirks, unamused as he bites at his thumb.
"Summoning jutsu!'
"Even your genjutsus, lightning, and fire release techniques are weak compared to Itachi's. I assumed too early you truly caught up to him in skill." He taunts.
Sasuke's eyes narrow, hands pulsing.
"Stop saying his name." He commands.
A skeletal figure rises up before Danzo can say anymore, fires an arrow that seemingly pierces straight through his chest.
Susanoo.
Danzo's body reappears again from behind a wood shield, flurry of arrows landing repeatedly with no effect. He comes up behind him before his Susanoo can strike him again, sucking in a deep breath.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"
Bullets of air launch into his wall of armor, cracks deepening with every passing second. Baku's nose suctions the area clean, snow, flora, and leaves swirling into an ever growing tornado.
And most frustratingly, it's pulling him in too.
It demands his attention to rid of him first to keep this fight going, switching his gaze from Danzo to the beast.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Blaze!"
Scarlet red flames instantly scorch into the nightmare-eater's mouth, dispersing back into a puff of clouds scattering debris in it's wake.
Danzo doesn't waste a minute despite the setback, bursting through the smog to move in for a close range hit.
"Wood Release: Wood Spikes!"
"Fire Release: Phoenix Fire!"
The wood instantly crumples before it can ensnare, Danzo wincing tearing his right arm away before the corrupted DNA can spread across his body. Already his body is failing him, faster than he wanted.
'Damn it, why can't I kill him?! I've been using Izanagi perfectly, ensured I never got caught in one of his genjutsu!'
"Sasuke, you're losing your eyesight; aren't you? Just go quietly and join Itachi, your parents, and the rest of your clan in the afterlife." Danzo grunts.
Sasuke cracks his dislodged shoulder back into place in response, begins a slow march forward to him.
"No, you've lost. I still have enough chakra to kill you."
Sasuke concentrates his chidori into a spear just as Danzo forms a wind blade in return.
Danzo quickly looks between him and his watching team, moves quickly forcibly grabbing Karin by the throat pulling her against him in squeak of pained shock.
"Wait! You can't kill me yet with me holding your red thread hostage! I may not have a red thread myself, but I've seen the pain and anguish one gets from seeing their red thread die, let alone right before their eyes!" He beams victoriously.
Sasuke pauses, looks between Danzo's boastful grin and the tears brimming into Karin's scarlet orbs.
And then he laughs, cold and bitter enough to make Danzo's smile slip.
His chidori cuts through them both in an instant, fatally pierces both their hearts he assumes.
Danzo topples, dark eyes wide in horror. Karin collapses like a torn puppet, eyes clouding with tears at Sasuke's betrayal. His vision swims, blood spilling out of his lips. He hurriedly begins putting pressure on the bleeding wound to no avail. Sasuke visibly looks fine, no clutching of his chest or wince of pain spreading across his features.
Tsunade. The rest of the Kage. He'll be going for them next and then the village.
'No, I won't let end this way! I will at least die an honorable death for Konoha, the same as Hiruzen did!' He decides.
He blinks dark spots from his eyes, realizes too late his final error as Sasuke speaks again.
"I don't care if Karin dies Danzo, she isn't my red thread."
Naruto
"Why are we having this emergency meeting again?" Naruto yawns.
The promise of brunch still isn't enough to keep him fully awake, sunlight hot on his cheeks as the day warms up. Most people are in their beds still at 7:00 am unless they need to work or train; his rare day off not training or stuck in meeting is already starting off bad!
It's probably going to be another clear day, thin streams of white clouds too far in the distance to get here by today.
Kakashi lightly bops him on the head to stay focused.
"I told you already that Sakura will be here shortly, you can stop asking me that same question over and over."
"But I want to go back to sleep with Hinata, y'know!" He whines in return earning him a suggestive brow raise.
Naruto reddens. Of course Kakashi-sensei's mind went right to gutter with how often he reads Pervy-Sage's books!
"Not like that y'know!"
Kakashi is surely smiling beneath that mask of his, saved from his snarky response as pink hair comes into view.
Sakura smiles brightly despite gray bags under her eyes, verdant orbs riddled with streaks of red.
'Geez, when's the last time Sakura got a proper night's rest?' Naruto wonders in concern.
Sakura takes the chair opposite of him and Kakashi, takes a long sip of her coffee with a sigh.
"Thanks for meeting me here this early guys! I know it's early, but I wanted to talk as soon as I got off of my night shift!" Sakura begins.
Kakashi merely nods while Naruto attempts to sit up straight.
"Did something happen with Granny?! She's alright; isn't she?" Naruto blurts out.
Sakura's lips twitch, nodding her head.
"Everything is fine as far as I'm aware with Lady Tsunade Naruto based on the latest reports I got from Shizune and a few tracker nin. In fact-"
"But she's with Danzo, y'know! And isn't Sasuke going after the Kage? I thought you stopped him, is that what you brought us here to talk about?" Naruto pursues.
Sakura slams a fist against the table nearly creating a fissure and Naruto wisely silences himself.
" Let me finish geez! Actually, I heard a rumor or maybe it's the truth you no longer want to bring Sasuke back to Konoha?" She asks directly.
Naruto stiffens, blue eyes turning stormy.
"Sakura, trust me it wasn't an easy decision for all of us to come to. I always saw Sasuke as my rival and oldest friend, but now he's associating with the Akatsuki. Talking to him directly hasn't changed his mind on his plans for destroying Konoha."
Sakura blows out a breath.
"So you're just giving up? That's not like you at all and your mantras that a Hokage can't leave anyone behind! Don't you want to repair our old team?" She hisses.
Naruto scowls, gaze turning darker; colder.
"Sakura, you're letting your feelings for Sasuke distract you; red thread or not. He's connected to the very group that wants to kill me, nearly killed Hinata! Of course I would like things to go back to the way they were, but it's not feasible right now to talk reason with Sasuke. The next time we meet, it will be with action first."
Sakura feels tears burn at her eyes. Naruto is supposed to be the one with the never-give-up attitude, who once voiced he would find a way to bring Sasuke home bloody and bruised if need be...
'Why won't he listen to me?'
Kakashi shifts forward, puts a hand between them.
"Alright. Alright. Tensions are running high here. Maybe some food will put us all in a happier mood?"
Naruto dryly snorts in response.
"Sakura, you know Sasuke is dangerous no matter what he tells you. Don't forget he wants to destroy the village, the people you love and care about too that live here."
Sakura clenches her teeth, tears free falling she harshly wipes away.
Kakashi sighs. "We aren't saying we've completely given up Sakura, however Sasuke will need to face punishment for his crimes, the consequences of him going down this path of darkness and revenge can't just be ignored."
Sakura moves to stand then, waves away the menu an approaching waiter offers.
"Fine. I have both your answers now; I'll handle Sasuke on my own with or without you two's help."
Naruto & Hinata
"Maybe we should plan a dinner with your Old Man? To talk things out and bury the past?" Naruto suggests.
As he expects Hinata stiffens, face curling into a pout that way he normally finds cute despite her clear annoyance. It's a been over a week now and Hinata still keeps Hiashi at cool, but cordial distance.
"There's nothing to discuss right now Naruto. You know Father isn't going to apologize for his actions as he thinks he's in the right for sealing my thread! And there's nothing for you to apologize for either so don't feel guilty!"
Naruto chuckles weakly holding up his hands, well at least he brought up the topic!
"Ah, okay, okay! It was just a suggestion!" Naruto laughs, pulling her into a hug to press a kiss to her forehead.
Hinata instantly relaxes in his hold, stiffening abruptly seeing a flutter of black near his kitchen window.
Naruto follows her gaze before freezing as well, that trademark red and black robe, that mask...
Someone from the Akatsuki.
Naruto puts Hinata behind him, forms a rasengan that passes through the man like air.
"What the-?!"
"I'm sorry to interrupt this lovely moment between you two, but I have a pertinent message for you Naruto." The man states.
He reveals a scroll from his sleeves, dropping it into Naruto's hand before disappearing in a puff of a smoke.
Hinata helps Naruto to stand while using her byakugan to ensure the man is truly gone.
'How did he get in and out so fast?!' Her heart drums fast in her ears.
Her gaze turns to single sentence written along the top of the scroll, ink running down in a trickle.
'Prepare yourselves; war is coming.'
-x-
Sorry this a bit shorter chapter than usual; life's been throwing me some curveballs lately! I'm going to use this long Memorial Day weekend at least here in the US to hopefully de-stress. Take mental health days if you can everyone!
I don't think Sakura was too harsh or out of line hopefully. It seems like Naruto doesn't care and he truly does, just not to the extreme level Sakura is taking it with bringing Sasuke home. I didn't want Naruto to feel too far from how his canon personality is, but not exactly the same either at the extensive length and measures he took. I'm hoping Naruto comes off as more reasonable compared to Sakura's more chaotic in getting Sasuke to return.
Alrighty, let me know your thoughts as always!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!
