CHAPTER 11
The Chunin Exams came and went- there had been rumors that since it was the year Konoha would be hosting them, several other genin from other villages would cumulate to take part. Typically- this was how Chunin Exams were held in the past.
The Godaime had quickly shut down that option, citing the continued unrest between Konoha and other villages made allowing foreign ninja within the Fire Country's borders an imminent threat. That to allow potential enemies to openly view and catalogue the upcoming ninja from the Village Hidden in the Leaves would leave the same upcoming ninja vulnerable if they were to then meet other villages across a battlefield.
Sakura could see the sense in this- however, she was highly disappointed. She could only learn so much from battling the same people she had grown up in the academy with. She also wondered how this decision impacted how the other villages viewed Konoha. There was a worry within the village walls that the blatant distrust from Konoha aimed at all other Hidden Villages only widened the distance between them and shrank any empathy for their nation.
But what did she know of the underlaying implication of politics. So, she dismissed it, figuring it made her and her team's route to chunin that much easier.
And chunin they became- all three of them. As proud as they were of their accomplishment, the victory was muted by the fact that of the 23 genin who participated in the exams, only three failed to make chunin.
"With the threat of war looming, it's in Konoha's best interest to ensure their ranks are sufficiently stocked- so don't any of you get a big head over this promotion. It simply means that you must train harder than ever in anticipation for more dangerous and complex missions."
Kakashi's words may have been the dark cloud raining on Naruto's parade that day, however his wisdom resonated with Sakura.
She was now the same rank as her mother, who had retaken the chunin exams three times before she had achieved her own promotion. As proud as Sakura was of her own hard work and growth, she was under no illusions that her mother had failed to work just as hard in her day.
Sakura prided herself on her perception- she counted it as one of her greatest strengths. And she had been watching the gates of Konoha intently in the ample time that passed since her team's mission in the Land of Waves.
Kakashi had confirmed that the quantity of high risk missions outside the Fire Country border had been on the rise.
A seemingly never-ending stream of chunin had been leaving the village at an alarming rate- only a fraction had been stumbling back through those gates.
Konoha needed to replenish its' ranks- whether its genin were truly ready or not.
There was a pool of anxiety forming deep within the pit of her stomach.
Sakura knew her and her teammates could not take this promotion lightly.
xXx
In the height of summer one of the trio offered a hesitant invitation.
"So uh… there's going to be a party at the Uchiha compound this Saturday, if you all wanted to come."
Sasuke's voice was so soft, it barely drifted to Sakura's ears over the intense slurping of ramen coming from their blonde teammate.
Team 7 was sitting in a semi-circle in the shaded outskirts of one of their favored training grounds, Kakashi sitting just above in a low hanging branch with book in hand.
"A party? That shounds awshome!" Juice dripped from the corner of Naruto's mouth as he spat the sentiment out around a full mouth of noodles.
"I don't think I have any plans." Sakura added in. "What's it for?"
Sasuke's answer was said so far under his breathe, it really did go unheard by all present that time.
"Errr… it's for what, now?" Naruto prodded after finally swallowing the contents in his mouth.
A resigned sigh.
"It's for my birthday, all right? Just don't make a big deal about it or anything."
"No way! Teme, it's your birthday?! Saturday is tomorrow! Why didn't you say anything?!"
"I'm saying something now, aren't I?" Sasuke shot back with fervor.
Sakura peeked up through the foliage above to the sky.
"It's already well into evening, we'll probably have a hard time finding gifts this late." She lamented.
"No gifts." Sasuke stared down at his half eaten bento, looking like he wished the earth would swallow him. "It would just be cool if you guys came to hang out. Or whatever."
"Awwww! Sasuke, you really do like us!" An orange clad arm snaked its way around Sasuke's shoulders. "I knew it! Hehehehe!"
A half hearted roll of onyx eyes had Sakura stifling a giggle.
"Shut up Dobe, you know my mom made me invite you."
An exaggerated gasp at the mention of the Uchiha matriarch.
"Is your mom cooking again?!" Big blue eyes peered up at Sasuke in hope.
"It's not going to be a small thing. Unfortunately. It's going to be held at the community center within the Uchiha district since most of the clan will likely be attending, so the event will be catered."
"Oooooh I see." Sakura stated, one finger up matter-of-factly. "You're inviting us to act as a buffer against all the family that's going to be there to try to pinch your cheeks and tell you how much you've grown."
Sasuke shot her a sardonic look with a lone raised eyebrow that practically screamed 'you're not wrong', before lifting his face to the lone leg dangling above them.
"How about it, Kakashi-sensei? You in?"
"Hmmm…" The addressed man lifted a finger to his chin in faux-thought. "I do believe I already promised to help my elderly neighbor rearrange her living room furniture that day."
The three genin exchanged an exasperated look.
"Well, more cake for me then!" Naruto exclaimed before downing the remnants of his cup of ramen in one go.
xXx
As Sakura came through her front door, she ran straight up the stairs to grab her piggy bank, emptying its contents onto her bed. She grabbed a couple of coins and stuffed them into her bag before vaulting back down the stairs.
'I'll be damned if I show up tomorrow without a gift.' She thought to herself. Sasuke was working just as hard as the rest of them, and though she was sure his clan fairly spoiled him already, she was not going to let his birthday pass without some token of appreciation from her.
That's what friends did, right?
"Hey hey hey!"
Sakura skidded to a stop just before reaching the front door as her mother peeped around the corner, a turquoise oven mitt securely fitted over one hand.
"Where are you off to so fast? Dinner is almost ready! I made one of your favorites." She gave her daughter a small secretive smile.
Guilt weighed her rushing mind down a bit. Her mother looked to be in a rare good mood.
She contemplated lying just to preserve it, but the guilt became even heavier at the thought.
"Um, I just remembered it's a friend's birthday tomorrow and I totally forgot to get a gift… heheh."
'Keep it vague, keep it vague, keep it-'
"Oh? Who's birthday?"
'Dammit…"
"It's… Sasuke's." She had to restrain a wince as she watched her mother's expression drop into a dangerous neutrality.
"Oh."
Slightly panicking, Sakura began to elaborate in hopes of saving the interaction.
"Yeah apparently it's going to be a whole family affair, and I would feel really bad if I showed up like, the only one without a gift, you know? And you always taught me it was rude to show up to a party empty handed- I would be so embarrassed if I did that in front of his entire clan, right? But the problem is he's so to himself- he never talks about things he wants, so I really have no idea what to even get him, so I need all the time I can get to try and find something. I'm worried to put it off to tomorrow, I know I'll get like, no sleep tonight if I do, hahaha! Yeah…"
Sakura trailed off anxiously when her mother's eyes followed her frantic arm movements with a sharpness that had not been there before.
"The whole clan, huh?"
The rhetorical question made Sakura fidget nervously, unsure how to best respond to her mother's flat affect.
"Yeah… I mean probably not everyone, that would be a lot, but enough that his mom decided to cater dinner instead of cook, I guess?"
The way her mom's eyes drilled into her made her nervously wring her hands behind her back, out of sight. She wanted to just dart out the front door, but as uncomfortable as she was, her mother didn't deserve that.
"And the Godaime? Will he be there?"
Sakura did flinch that time. She didn't want her mom to think she would be having the time of her life at a party with the man responsible for her father's death.
"Well… he is Sasuke's father so I assume he will be. But I mean, Sasuke's mentioned before that Uchiha parties can get pretty wild, and the adults usually keep to themselves and drink while the kids are usually left to their own devices at some point, so he probably won't even bother talking to me or Naruto." She laughed as she waved off the idea as if it was absurd.
But her mother's sharp eyes narrowed.
"There will be alcohol?"
Sakura froze. Damn her big mouth! Not a lot of outsiders knew what went on within the Uchiha compound, but Sasuke often regaled stories of several parties that went on into the early morning at the compound- much to his consternation and her and Naruto's entertainment. He had some good stories of a couple relatives getting absolutely sloshed though- her favorite was the time two of his much older cousins ended up in the koi pond in his backyard somehow and BBQ'd one of their fish at 4 in the morning.
"I think so, but I mean it'll only be for the adults." She let out a bark of a laugh. "More than half his family is part of the Uchiha Police Force; if anyone is going to make sure kids don't get their hands on alcohol, it'll be them, right?" Then, as an afterthought- "Not that I would be interested in drinking even if it was available to me."
Sakura's mother looked deep in thought, as if discerning if her daughter was being truthful or not. Then, out of the blue, a smile was back on her face.
"Well all right then, it's almost dusk so I won't keep you if you're intent on shopping today. Just make sure you are home before the curfew. We don't want to give the Uchiha Police any reason to arrest you, right? I'll put your dinner in the fridge to heat up later when you get home."
Startled at her luck, Sakura beamed as she opened the door. "All right, thank you mom! I love you, see you in a bit!"
As the newly instated chunin rounded a corner to go deeper into the part of the village with the majority of shops, she was too far to see as her mother quickly exited their home as well, heading in the opposite direction.
xXx
Sakura awoke the next morning to an empty house. When she had come home last night she had assumed her mother had turned in early, however upon inspecting her mom's room early that morning the bed was made and pristine.
Strange, as her mother usually left a note to indicate her whereabouts when she left early in the mornings and there was none to be found. But Sakura dismissed this, as she had more important things to think about that day.
Like wrapping the gift she had nabbed right before the shops closed yesterday, making sure her hair looked decent, and figuring out what the hell she was going to wear to the party today.
As much as Sasuke lamented to admit it, tonight would be considered a semi-formal event, so Sakura decided on wearing her favorite summer yukata- a beautiful sage piece with blush pink Sakura blossoms adorning it in intricate detail. It was without a doubt the nicest piece of clothing she owned, and she fretted in front of the mirror for a couple of minutes, worried she may come off as overdressed.
But- she reminded herself- Sasuke would no doubt be wearing something of similar fanciment- so if anything, they could be overdressed together in solidarity.
She doubted Naruto would show up in anything to this level- his allowance had been increased and the trio were making decent money with their recent missions, but she simply could not imagine him shopping for such attire.
…Maybe she could get him something as a gift for his own upcoming birthday.
She scribbled a quick note to herself as a reminder of her brilliant idea before grabbing her gift and leaving her house.
She still had a couple hours before the party, but she figured she could swing by Naruto's place as she was beginning to feel restless alone.
As she knocked on his door- careful to avoid the peeling paint- she could hear a commotion in the room just beyond.
Naruto opened the door with a whoosh; he was heavily out of breath and his face was flush- and to Sakura's horror, he was wearing an open robe with his underwear on full display.
'Oh my god! What did I just walk in on?!'
"Gahh!" Flustered, she averted her eyes and turned to leave. "So sorry! Didn't mean to interrupt!"
"Sakura-chan! Perfect timing! I need your help!"
Before she had the chance to register the implication of that statement with where her mind was currently at, Naruto grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside, shutting the door behind them.
"Naruto!" She tried to hold a scolding tone, but her voice came out more high pitched from embarrassment.
"Eh heh, I don't think I've ever worn one of these, can you help?"
Curiously, her hands lowered from her eyes to reassess the situation. The article of clothing she previously thought was a bathrobe was actually a yukata- it was a beautiful pale yellow with a tiny white crane pattern.
But Naruto was still standing in the middle of his living room, scratching his hair with apparent relief, with the thing wide open.
In a burst of indignance Sakura smacked him upside the head.
"Could you have the decency to cover up?!"
The blond boy rubbed is head as he sheepishly pulled the robe closed with his other hand.
"Geez, ya coulda asked nicely, Sakura-chan." He grumbled.
She huffed at the comment, before taking one of the sleeves between two fingers to inspect the material.
"This is actually really nice, Naruto. Is it new?"
"Yeah! I picked it up this morning. I had no idea what I was doing but the old lady at the shop was super awesome! She helped me pick it out! But… I didn't pay attention to what she was doing when I tried it on and now I'm a little lost…"
"Well, first and foremost, you don't wear it while being naked underneath." Rolling her eyes with good humor, she indicated he lead her to his closet. As they worked together to help Naruto look decent, Sakura could not help but feel the building excitement for the party.
Naruto's good mood and excitable chatter indicated he was looking forward to it as well. As much as they both still felt very much like outsiders within the compound, the chance to celebrate their teammate trumped any anxiety they previously felt upon stepping foot within those uchiwa painted gates.
Sakura's chest warmed as the two of them- now fully dressed- laughed while striking dynamic poses in Naruto's full length mirror.
Tonight was going to be a good night.
xXx
As evening fell, the two genin walked side by side through tall gates indicating entrance within the Uchiha compound.
"Oh wow…" Sakura murmured with awe, her eyes sweeping over the deep blue and red décor that lavished the compound square. Elaborate red lanterns lined the walkway within, a few tables waiting off to the side were decked out in a generous spread of hors d'oeuvres, and the delectable scent of cooking meat permeated the air.
Sakura was relieved to see the other patrons were also dressed in colorful kimono and yukata, so neither her nor Naruto were too out of place.
They spotted Sasuke quickly. He was standing atop of a temporary flooring made of wood, as he greeted his clansmen and accepted their well wishes with polite nods and thanks, while looking like he would prefer nothing more than to be swallowed whole by the ground he stood on.
His face lit up as they moved towards him.
"Oh, I'm glad you guys could make it." Relief coated his tone, and he offered a grateful smile.
"Wouldn't have missed it!" Sakura beamed.
"Geeeeeez, are you secretly prince or something? This party is fancier than the summer festival!" Naruto's exclamation had Sasuke sighing despondently.
"I know, I know… it's way over the top. I don't know why my mother and aunties insist on doing this every year…" He lamented.
"I dunno…" Naruto started, looking around again to take everything in. "I think you're lucky. It must be nice to have so many people want to celebrate you."
The words stabbed Sakura through the heart, reminding her that Naruto had had no one for so long…
She reaffirmed to herself that she would go all out for his next birthday. One panicked look from Sasuke communicated he would be on board.
"Oh! No way! Is that taiyaki?" The blonde's previous thoughtful demeanor was quickly replaced with barely contained excitement. "Happy Birthday, Sasuke!" He all but shouted as he shoved his questionably wrapped gift into the Uchiha's arms before taking off.
The two remaining Team 7 members snickered at their teammates' typical antics.
"Happy Birthday, Sasuke." Sakura echoed, handing him her gift as well.
The birthday boy looked off to the side as he accepted the second package as well.
"I told you guys you didn't need to get me anything." He muttered.
"We know. But you deserve it, Sasuke. You deserve all of this." Her hand swept around them.
"Hn. It's just an unnecessary display of wealth, at this point." He argued half heartedly.
Sakura scrunched her nose as acquiescence. "Maybe a little. But it doesn't mean it's not well deserved, you know."
His dark eyes took her in, and she could not quite translate the emotion behind them. Was it gratefulness?
"Thanks." A hesitation, and then, "You look nice, by the way."
"Oh, this old thing? Haha, thank you." She took the time to take in his deep blue kimono that boasted a glossy line pattern of a hawk perched within the boughs of a tree. It was clearly made of fine silk, and likely very, very expensive. "You know, this style really suits you, actually."
He scoffed. "I'm not a fan of traditional attire."
"Makes it harder to dance?" She questioned, indicating the wooden flooring beneath them that was clearly meant for said activity.
"If you're thinking you'll catch me dancing, don't hold your breath." His tone was hard, but his smirk softened the blow.
Sakura's loud laughter startled an older Uchiha couple just behind Sasuke. They shot her disapproving looks before shuffling elsewhere.
She ignored them, snapping her fingers with feigned disappointment. "Drats. That's the only reason I came."
Sasuke's mischievous chuckle had her full attention. "I wonder if that's really the only reason." His eyes danced with mirth as they shot to something behind her.
Turning, she found his older brother Itachi steadily making his way towards them, being stopped frequently by the other Uchiha guests and engaging in polite small talk with them when necessary.
He was also in traditional kimono, but his was black with silver pinstripes. He wore his long raven hair down, and the silky straight threads curtained his face and fell just below his chest.
Everything about him- his attire, his poise, his serene features- screamed regal.
If Sasuke could be compared to a prince, Itachi was the king.
Her head whipped back around so quickly she almost pulled a muscle.
"Wha-?! What's that supposed to mean?!"
Sasuke shrugged, simulating indifference, but the smirk on his face said otherwise.
"Just had this feeling you might be happy to see he was attending."
Sakura's voice dipped into a dangerous hiss. "Well I have no idea what could have possibly put that thought in your head, but you better not-"
"Happy Birthday, Sasuke." A sanguine voice interrupted.
Sakura's spine snapped ram-rod straight as she moved to the side to allow the two brothers space. She didn't miss Sasuke's subtle snicker.
"Thank you, nii-san. You did already tell me that this morning, though."
The older Uchiha shrugged. "It bears repeating."
Sasuke's dark eyes rolled with a hint of mirth.
"It really doesn't though, when it's basically all I've been hearing all day."
Instead of responding to his brother's faux-attitude, Itachi instead turned to Sakura.
"He's always a bit touchy on his birthday. I think he gets overstimulated from all the attention."
She could see Sasuke's face draw into a slight pout and Sakura couldn't help the giggle that escaped her.
Sakura covered her mouth from Sasuke's view conspiratorially and leaned to the older brother. Itachi's tall, languid form bent slightly to accommodate her shorter height, allowing her easier access to his ear.
"I think he really wanted to dance, but it's as you said- he fears the attention." She whispered with a sigh.
"Oh?" Itachi's brows quirked with interest as he straightened out to resume his true height. "Is that so? Well, I'm sure we can find a solution to that." They both shared a small, devious smirk and Sasuke could feel his heart sink into the depths of his stomach.
"If the two of you can resist conspiring against me on my birthday, that would be much appreciated." His tone was even but his glare threw daggers in their direction.
Itachi's smirk remained even as his expression morphed to appear thoughtful.
"Where is Shisui? I've yet to see him. Please excuse me while I locate my cousin."
"No…" Sasuke bemoaned, even as Itachi walked away. "Please don't involve Shisui in this!"
But it was too late; Itachi had already blended into the ever thickening crowd around them.
The flat glare Sasuke settled onto Sakura was thankfully interrupted as their boisterous blonde teammate returned to them.
"Hey guys! Check out what that old man at that stall over there smuggled me!" Naruto took a drink from the cup he held, smacking his lips loudly in satisfaction, before he promptly began to choke and splutter.
"Blech! This stuff is disgusting!"
Sakura took the cup from him immediately, giving the contents a quick sniff to confirm her suspicions.
"Naruto! This is sake! You're too young to drink this!"
Her scolding went unheard as Naruto continued to splutter and try to wipe his tongue clean of the taste with his hand.
A deep laughter drew their attention, and to their surprise it was coming from their dark haired teammate.
Neither of them had ever heard Sasuke laugh so deeply and freely.
When he noticed their sudden attention, he shrugged, a grin still on his face.
"What? It was funny."
"Haha! I know right? I don't get how anyone drinks that gross stuff." Naruto responded, happy he had been able to make Sasuke laugh, even if it was at his own expense.
"It's not gross, actually. You just have to have refined taste in order to enjoy it." Sasuke's voice had a teasing lilt.
Naruto's blonde brows furrowed in thought.
"Refined?" He scratched his head as he pondered the meaning of the word, before turning to Sakura. "Am I being insulted right now?"
Sakura's eyes flicked to Sasuke only to see her amusement reflected in him, and they both burst into laughter. Naruto, not one to be left out, joined in.
Sakura gently dabbed the corner of an eye where her mirth had begun to pool. There was a moment of disconnect, then. As if she were a third party looking in, a stranger picking up a photograph to see a glimpse into someone else's life.
Time froze in that moment, as the three shinobi stood in a circle, laughing together. The red of the lantern's casting everything in a warm glow. A mellow summer breeze encompassing the plaza, carrying the small, flickering forms of docile fireflies.
Sakura's heart had not felt this full since early childhood. Since before her father's passing. Before her mother's emotional withdrawal.
But it was overflowing now, in this moment, with her teammates. A new family, of sorts. And she could clearly see the sentiment mirrored in their smiles, as well.
She took a deep breath, smile still on her face, as she allowed this present moment to settle deep, deep within her memories- to be readily available to her whenever she wished to revisit.
Looking down at the cup still in her hands, she raised it to her nose once again, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Try it, Sakura! See if you do any better!"
She made a face at Naruto.
"Even if I didn't like it, I would definitely not spit it out. I'm a lady."
"Oh yeah?" Sasuke asked, challenge laced in his voice and apparent with his one raised eyebrow. "Prove it."
Rolling her eyes with a sigh of defeat, she quickly muttered, "You two are such bad influences," before bringing the cup to her lips.
Before she could consume any of the liquid, however, the cup was knocked from her grasp as a body collided hard into her shoulder.
Sake splashed onto the hardwood floor and the cup clinked and rolled in a semi circle.
"Oh my! I apologize, miss!"
A body swifly stooped to scoop up the fallen drink and placed it on a tray with other empty cups. It was a middle aged man with chestnut shoulder length hair. His features looked foreign- certainly not Uchiha- and paired with the serving tray Sakura realized it must be one of the caterers serving for the event.
He smiled apologetically- Sakura's eyes snagged on the small scar bisecting his lips to the left- before giving her a deep, waist length bow.
"Do forgive my clumsiness."
"O-of course! No problem!" Sakura flapped a hand dismissively, and he soon turned to disappear into the crowd.
"Hn. Looks like you got lucky." Sasuke smirked.
"Oh ho ho! You're the lucky one, Sasuke!"
Sasuke's smirk slipped entirely off his face as Shisui threw an arm around him, Itachi coming up on his other side.
Shisui had an ornate bottle in the arm draped over Sasuke, a small beautifully designed cup in the other. As he poured sake into the cup right before the younger Uchiha, Sasuke's eyes watched with distrust.
"I heard someone was in need of some liquid courage!" Shisui threw an impish wink Sakura's way.
"Nope." Sasuke tried- and failed- to wriggle his way out of his cousin's arm.
"Awww come on! Don't be like that! You're 14 now, practically a man! We gotta celebrate that, right guys?"
Naruto snickered. "Yeah Sasuke, be a man."
Sasuke shot Naruto an unimpressed look.
"Come on!" Shisui goaded, hovering the cup just below Sasuke's mouth. "It's like a right of passage! Even Itachi drank it when he turned 14!"
The youngest Uchiha shot his brother an incredulous look.
"I thought you didn't drink."
Itachi shrugged.
"I make exceptions when necessary."
Sakura and Naruto both knew that was the nail in the coffin for Sasuke. If it was not beneath Itachi, it was not beneath him.
He took the cup in his hand before glancing around him, then leveling his brother a cold look.
"If father sees me, I'm blaming you."
Itachi offered him a soft smile. "He won't. He's at the house with mother and a few of the elders."
Satisfied with that answer, Sasuke took a deep breath, then threw the sake back with a grimace. He swallowed hard, before gasping as if coming up for air.
"What the hell was that?! That didn't taste like ordinary sake!"
Shisui's impish grin never wavered as both he and Itachi revealed two more cups each. "That's because this is the good stuff from my personal stash." He snickered, handing Naruto a cup while Itachi handed Sakura one of his. Sakura watched nervously as Shisui filled all 5 cups present.
"Is this a good idea? I mean, isn't half your clan part of the Police Force?" She hoped her timid voice did not give her away.
Shisui shrugged before bringing up airquotes. "Laws for thee but not for me."
"The way most of us see it," Itachi explained, shooting his cousin a quick unimpressed look, "If an individual is old enough to put their lives on the line for the village, then they are old enough to drink. If they so wish."
"I do not 'so wish.'" Sasuke muttered, staring down at his refilled cup.
"Oh hush, this time we will all share in your misery! It's a bonding moment!" Shisui's theatrical declaration was paired with a hand over his heart.
Sasuke looked thoughtful for a moment, before rising his cup. "To bonds, then."
"To nights you won't remember, with people you'll never forget!" Shisui shouted, raising his cup.
"To never eating ramen alone!" Naruto's boisterous exclamation caused some of his sake to spill over the lip of his cup as he raised it.
Sakura had to stifle her giggle as she raised her own cup. "To good friends!"
"To our futures."
All cups rose higher and met in the middle with a definitive 'clink!' that echoed with a low rumble.
The ground beneath their feet trembled slightly.
Naruto eyed the drink in his hand, more cautious than before.
"What are these cups made of, anyway?"
Sakura caught Itachi and Shisui giving each other wary glances.
"What was that?" Her whisper went unanswered as another, stronger shockwave rocked the ground below them, this time accompanied by the angry roar of an explosion and light flashing further within the compound.
"The house-!" Shisui warned, and in the next moment both he and Itachi vanished in a swirl of leaves.
"What house? Your house?" Naruto's anxious questions were directed at Sasuke, but the Uchiha was already running in the direction of his home.
With one shared, panicked look, Sakura and Naruto took off after him.
