Chapter 4
The border to Fire was difficult to navigate if you were unfamiliar with the land. Perhaps it was purposeful, set to deter anything of ill intent or deemed unworthy. Sasuke's chest tightened across the threshold as if he were unworthy, too.
These trees used to bring him comfort. Now, it felt like he was forcing himself to breach them.
"Two ninja, approaching fast," Naruto says to his right. Sakura arrives at his left, working tight black gloves over her hands. Karin blinks, a little dazed at how quickly they'd shifted from leisure travel to five-star defense.
"Karin?" Sasuke calls.
"Yeah, it's just—"
Before she can fully answer, the silver shadow of a blade passing through Sasuke's midsection sets Sasuke's body in motion. He dodges the attack easily. His sharingan could sense the danger even before his eyes could see it.
Behind the group, a tree explodes and sends bark and splinters upon them. Naruto defaults to Hinata, keeping her within range as he surveys the scene.
Sakura engages.
Though they avoided her swing, the aftershock of her punch sends the men back a few paces. Raising his weapon, the whitish-blue man whistles through his needlepointed teeth.
"Pretty little punch you've got there."
"Come closer and I'll show you an ugly one," She responds.
"Jugo, Suigetsu," Sasuke calls his former teammates. His tone is absolute and commanding. He does not need many words to convey his point.
The mood of the battlefield is heavy as the Konoha natives wait. With a surrendering sigh, the swordsman hefts his weapon upon his shoulder and rolls his eyes. "We were just having a bit of fun, s'all."
Sakura watches Sasuke's former team congregate. Three of the four exchange bright smiles—they seem happy to be in each other's presence. They're far enough away that their conversation remains private.
Naruto's large hand is warm on her shoulder. "Way to take over, chief."
"You knew it was them?" Them. Sasuke's others.
"Yeah. I don't know what's been going on with me lately though. I feel like all of my senses are lagging. Kurama's been awfully quiet."
"Do you think something is wrong?" Hinata asks.
"No, he feels there. Strong as ever."
Sakura does not like this information. Naruto at anything less than one-hundred percent made her stomach bubble. Removing her gloves, the woman reaches for her canister of water and takes a long swig, emptying the last drop.
"Running low, pretty puncher?" Suigetsu shoots the group a wave as the others make their way over. "Come back to my place and I'll fill you up."
"Gross," Karin sneers, catching onto her teammates hidden meaning much faster than Sakura had.
Sakura offers him her middle finger, but is blocked by the brown material of Sasuke's cloak. He looks more annoyed than ever as the four former teammates join the group.
"We are staying at an old hideout." Jugo explains.
Sakura had never heard him speak. He was a large, ominous fellow with orange hair and tanned skin. His voice seems to betray his exterior. A small bird lands on his shoulder. It preens its feathers, and then offers him its head for a pet.
The man catches a glimpse of pink over his former leader's scratches the swallow's head. "Do you need rest?"
...:::*:::...
Sasuke's chest did not squeeze as he walked through the familiar halls of Orochimaru's hideout. A cold, unwelcoming breeze made his forelocks sway. Unwelcoming. Perhaps that is why Sasuke did not mind Orochimaru's hideouts—they were foreboding to all. He did not feel out-of-place.
Leading the way, Sasuke found the dining area quickly. Though there were many rooms, twists and turns, the layout of these caverns were largely the same. Living quarters to one side, necessities to the other. A long table extended before them with a small film of dirt upon its surface. Karin ran her finger through the dust.
"Hm. Looks cleaner than when I lived here."
Naruto is in friendly conversation with Suigetsu, and Jugo seems to be taken to Sakura. Words flitter around as Hinata and Karin search the cabinets for cleaning supplies or food. Suigetsu and Jugo had not been there long–if at all.
"There's rice," Hinata says to everyone as she tugs out a bag. "Fish sounds nice, Naruto."
"Yeah! Us boys can go catch some and—"
Karin crosses her arms. "—and the girls can have everything all cleaned up and ready? Yeah, right. If you're going fishing, I'm going too. I need to work on my tan."
"Jugo, would you like to stay behind and help Hinata with me?" Sakura asks after a beat. The man looks at Sasuke, seemingly asking permission.
"Actually, that's probably not a good idea–"
Sasuke interrupts Suigetsu, shaking his head. "Go, on. I'll stay back."
...:::*:::...
Sweeping cobwebs and clearing the area is a lot easier on Jugo's massive shoulders. Sakura can reach the highest of places, knocking debris and dust down for Hinata to gather below. He had found the rags and solutions somewhere in this maze of a prison. He'd even led the way to a massive hot spring that the girls had promised a dip in, for a good day's work.
Even Sasuke was dutiful. He did not shy away from wiping the table and chairs, and carrying dirty water away to be replaced by the clean.
"They're back," Hinata says moments before Naruto and Suigetsu step into the area. Sakura sways as Jugo turns, but his bulky hands steady just above her knees, holding the woman in place. Sasuke's eyes find Sakura's immediately. Whatever Karin had been saying fell on deaf ears at the sight of his former teammate. He places the clean pail down, never looking away.
She was so small compared to Jugo's robust frame. The broom in her hand had been put to good use, still holding onto some of the dirt that she'd no doubt been shaking off the walls. The woman wipes her forehead with her bicep and pats the orange hair of Jugo, who let's her down.
Suigetsu lets out a tisk, slapping the flopping fish down on the once-clean table. "You're brave, princess."
"More like stupid…" Karin mumbles.
She doesn't know how dangerous Jugo is—an experiment, prone to derangement at the most inopportune of times. Sasuke could feel something stirring within him. It would be hypocritical to treat Jugo differently than himself. Sasuke understood Jugo. Sasuke knew the anger and the rage. He craved it.
Ignoring Karin's studious gaze, Sasuke moves to the table to help prepare the catch.
...:::*:::...
Sakura stands next to the entrance with shaking knees.
After dinner, the group unanimously decided to bathe. Together. Night would drag on if everyone had to wait for the other to finish, and Karin claimed separating boys and girls was not only juvenile, but unfair for her. She didn't know Hinata or Sakura all that well.
Do not misunderstand. Sakura was not a prude. In fact, she probably had seen more nudity than everyone in there combined. All ages, various states of undress—so much so that she'd say she was completely desensitized.
This was not a sterile, serious hospital environment, however.
She knew these people on very private levels. Naruto, her dear friend, had never caught anything more than an accidental glance of her underclothing. Bathing with Hinata was something she'd always dreaded— her well-endowed bust meant she quickly became the topic of conversation. Ino had even lined the group up once, smallest to largest. Sakura was, of course, at the front…
Suigetsu was extremely forward and didn't have the ability, or the care, to not speak his mind. Jugo was of no consequence, kind and respectful thus far. Karin would surely make a snide remark, and Sasuke—
Uchiha Sasuke—
Sakura grips her towel tighter around her body.
Regardless of her tumbling emotions for him, Sakura would be silly to deny the curiosity of his figure. He was not shy about baring his chest. Nor his body, apparently.
Was this something he did often? As a troup, had they stopped on their travels and shared baths, perhaps even bedding?
Sakura's lip dances between her teeth. The cool wood of the door soothes the flush of her skin. A few babbling voices try to escape the room. She cannot make out who they are or what they're saying. With a gulp, she enters, finding that she is the last one to join them.
Jugo was right in saying that the hot springs were large. A waterfall, though small, sprayed over large boulders towards the back of the cavern. It fed in cooler water, which kept the boiling water beneath a more manageable temperature.
Sasuke preferred the hotter area, farthest away from the falls. He missed nothing about Orochimaru's hideouts except for their location. He is a smart man, building them under reservoirs so he could stay sheltered for years at a time.
Running his hand over his shoulder, Sasuke savored the burn. It felt like he was peeling his skin apart from his muscle—his bone. The blood of the unfortunate that stained his body all melted away. He lets the bath engulf him, swallowing his shoulders, his neck, chin, nose…
"Sakura, you're finally here!"
Fully submerged, Sasuke dipped under the surface before catching sight of his former teammate. He can't tell where he ends or he begins. A nothing, floating in blackness— not remembering the rage, the death, the hatred.
But they remember him.
Yes, his three sins thirst for Sasuke to carry out the blood oath curse of the clan. Broken as his Hatred may it be, its aftershocks have changed him. There is no comfort in his mind, in sleep, and there is no peace amongst friends.
So he hides. Weak and afraid, Sasuke sinks into the only high his body can lungs scream as they beg for air. How he wished they didn't. A few more minutes floating near the boiling void is all he can take before he breaks through the surface of the water, breathless.
"You had it pretty cushy here, huh?" Naruto jokes, gazing over Sasuke as he shakes the droplets from his black hair. He is keeping a comfortable distance, not a fan of the heat. Kurama's chakra was more than enough.
"Oh yeah," Karin responds, tying up unruly tendrils in a messy wad above her head. She splashes around, drawing attention to herself. Sasuke wipes the droplets off of his face as the tops of her breasts rise higher in an attempt to allure him. He knew her dance."Three square meals, an oversized bathing area, and emergency blood transfusions. Real cushy,"
Suigetsu scoffs. "That's cute, he got transfusions? I'd have just been left to bleed—if I had any blood, of course."
Karin adjusts her glasses. "Don't act as if you had it worse than Sasuke-kun. When Kabuto-san brought in the poisons—"
"Karin."
Sasuke's voice is low, without emotion. It holds no threat or malice. Still, Karin is smart enough to realize she is overstepping, and the woman quietly slinks deeper under the water to hide from Sasuke's stern gaze.
Naruto clears his throat and swims closer to his wife. She stays near the edge, resting her head onto the stones that surround the bathing area with her arms crossed tightly in front of her chest. A small white, flower drifts beside her. Naruto plucks it from the water, examining it thoroughly.
"Hey, Sakura, does this mean anything?"
Sakura is the furthest from everyone. Karin and Hinata wrapped their hair atop their heads, but Sakura let hers stay down. It seems to resist the water, and instead, floats atop as she makes her way toward Naruto. The green herbal bath circles just the tops of her shoulders, hiding everything else within their depths.
Without warning, her eyes light up. They are green too, but not like the water. They are much brighter, Sasuke realizes, never having anything else to compare them to. She stares at the flower with her eyebrows dipped low, awe evident in her features. Her hands begin to shake.
"Where did you get this?"
"It was just floating by." Naruto says truthfully.
Her excitement has caught the attention of the others. The group starts to encircle her. Sasuke gauges Hinata, who does not seem to share the same excitement Sakura does. If anything, the Hyuuga looks just as confused.
Not a secret message, then?
Sasuke knew the flower. It was the cause of this murky water—it grew at the very bottom of the bath where the heat was almost unbearable. Sasuke had seen the plant several times, relishing the temperature.
"It's called the Mermaid's Miracle" She says, turning it carefully in her hand. "It only grows in specific conditions, and just one dried petal can help with a slew of mental ailments. It's such a rare flower. I can only give it to the most severe of patients."
"There are twenty more," Sasuke finds himself saying.
Sakura looks at him and absolute joy spreads across her features. Her smile shows all of her teeth and her eyes squint. No one has ever looked at Sasuke in this way. He feels a cold chill bite across his flesh, despite the heat of the water.
"Can you show me?"
"No,"
Her face falls. Her happiness fades. So quickly he extinguishes her. "Oh,"
It was too hot down there, though, even for someone like him, who was branded by the Uchiha. He's never been close enough to touch a petal, let alone the entire head. He should tell her, explain that every few months a blossom would pop up and she was welcome to harvest them at Orochimaru's discretion.
Dipping below the water, Sasuke swims downwards towards the flowers. He summons Susanoo, letting bone and bolt form a skeleton arm for him. He'd never been at Orochimaru's hideout after gaining this ability, and even if he had, he wouldn't have cared to gather…flowers. Still, even as the scorching liquid became unbearable and the herbal perfume of the water stung his eyes, he searched.
A pale color breaks up the monotony of dark green. Sasuke finds the large cluster and reaches out with his glowing limb, plucking seven of the things. If one petal could do so much, surely seven florets would suffice for the time being. If on his travels, Sakura sent word that she needed more, Sasuke would get them for her.
When he comes up from the water, everyone takes notice of the bouquet in his arms. Arms—they've never seen his makeshift left hand before.
"Is this enough?"
Sakura does not speak. The joy from before spreads across her features tenfold, and she gathers the medicine with gentle hands Sasuke wonders if he should have been easy with them. Her fingertips are soft, like a feather as they brush his forearm.
"Sasuke this is—I don't think you know how much this means to me!" She begins. A slew of information pours from her.
She speaks of all the things she can heal, all of the people she can help. The children—so much emphasis on the children. "They've been affected by the war. Parents who didn't come home, friends who aren't themselves anymore…the medicine I make can help with anxiety and depression, it can calm mood disorders. They'll be able to sleep at night without the terrors."
He absorbs her knowledge greedily, like a sponge. It does not matter that the subject she recites is not of his interest. The love Sakura has for her craft is enticing enough.
He almost does not notice when she slips out of the water, using her hand to slide along the stone of the hot spring to pull herself up to the edge. The flowers lay across her bare lap and she holds a single one in her hand, lifting it upwards to inspect it with the overhead light.
Feet hidden in the herbal bath, slender ankles led up to long, lean legs. Knees pressed together, thighs covered in beads of liquid that dripped from the curve up to her bottom—her hips—her narrow waist. Sakura's ribs are slightly visible, moving with every breath and she continues with words that Sasuke has long since stopped listening to.
His ears are ringing, eyes taking in everything with clarity—the clarity of his sharingan. It flared to life for the first time in Sasuke's life with no threat of battle imminent. It came forth just to take in Sakura, her naked figure, the small swells of her chest and the shade of her lips match the shade of her—
Sakura meets Sasuke's eyes and confusion befalls her. Shoulders dipping, eyebrows meeting together, it takes her only seconds to realize that she has inadvertently gotten out of the water and, as a result, exposed herself.
Looking away quickly, Sakura scrambles to her feet while trying her best to cover her chest and privates. Heart beating painfully, she meets the eyes of everyone in the room, all watching as she searches desperately for a way out of the embarrassment.
"Oh, I knew this would be a good idea," Suigetsu says with a groan.
Hinata is beside her in a second, having stolen Naruto's towel for herself and offering her own as a shield. They make it out just as Naruto barks out a few satisfactory warnings to anyone caught gawking.
