Chapter Eleven: The Price of Friendship
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It was strange, walking alongside this younger version of Kakashi on the way to the Hokage Tower. He was simultaneously aloof and predatory. He wore simple dark gray tactical pants and black long sleeve shirt with attached mask. It was odd seeing him in something other than green and blue. At least his platinum hair was spiked as usual with his forehead protector over his Sharingan.
Sakura had never doubted their friendship that developed over the last five years since Kakashi became her teammate and not her Sensei. Though, now she was swimming in uncharted waters and overflowed with doubts. She shouldn't have slept with him. And she shouldn't have kept sleeping with him. It was very foolish. But most of her friends had gotten married over the past year and she was tired of making sex a big deal.
She could be casual.
And it was training — right? It might seem fun now, but if she was to infiltrate the dark avenues of Anbu and even darker Root — she'd need to be able to separate the act from the person. She really hoped it didn't come down to that.
Except, it wasn't casual. She was the worst at casual. Hadn't she realized too late that she'd fallen in love with her team leader? And future Kakashi had been there to witness at least three times when she'd confessed to Sasuke and subsequently been rejected. It had been kind of nice to be around this Kakashi without him feeling sorry for her — the poor, undesirable girl with the big forehead.
It was impossible to ignore the curious stares. Kakashi was an enigma and now, so was she. Sakura had thought they should use the roofs to reach the tower mostly unseen. Kakashi wanted to walk through the streets of the village in plain sight.
He looked like a proper creature of the shadows. She on the other hand in her sleeveless forest green shirt, dark blue tactical pants, and bright yellow hair seemed to radiate the warmth of summer.
"Maybe I should wear a mask," Sakura muttered.
"Nah, I like looking at your face," Kakashi argued. "It's disarming and makes you a valuable weapon."
"Riiiight." Sakura would have preferred if he liked her face because she was pretty. But then, this was Kakashi. His wit and sarcasm were rarely matched. And he didn't give out compliments unless he absolutely had to do so.
The Hokage Tower was a familiar place for Sakura — Master Tsunade and later Kakashi ran the village different from one another, but she'd been proud to have been the student of both. Did twenty-year old Kakashi have any idea that he'd one day be the Hokage? It didn't seem like it was a goal he aspired to — more a duty thrust upon him.
They checked in with the assistants outside of the Hokage office and found Shisui waiting for them there. It had been a surprise to learn they'd all be sharing the same audience with the Hokage. Shisui's dark blue undershirt, tactical pants, and green Jonin flak jacket indicated he'd gone home to change since she last saw him. He eyed Kakashi with a suspicious narrowing of his dark eyes. "Good morning, you two."
"Hey, Shisui." Sakura felt her shoulders relax just a little bit in his presence. It was so strange — it felt like Shisui was like her Naruto and Kakashi was like her Sasuke. "Have you had a good morning so far?"
"I have actually." A mischievous smile flitted across Shisui's face. "I helped an Academy student with their training earlier. They were a real cute little kid." He reached for Sakura's hands and gave them a reassuring squeeze, neither of them missed Kakashi's glower. "We should leave directly after here for the district— assuming things go our way." He grimaced nervously. "Try not to piss off the Hokage, yeah?"
"I can be respectful," Sakura assured him, pulling back her hands in irritation.
"You have an incredible temper," Kakashi pointed out. "Firecracker. I'm starting understand Minato Sensei a little better."
Before Sakura could really process that comment the door to the Hokage's office opened and they were ushered inside. Kakashi, Sakura, and Shisui all stood at attention across from Lord Sarutobi's desk while he finished up with a document.
There were four framed paintings of the previous and current Hokage on the wall — Lords Hashirama, Tobirama, Hiruzen, and Minato. Sakura's gaze settled on Naruto's father — her supposed relative. She'd sort of met him — when he'd been brought back with the Edo Tensei. The short conversation she overheard between Naruto and Minato before he'd gone to the Purelands had broken her heart. The version of him in the alternate dimension Obito had sent her had been an amazing person too. She wondered what it would have been like to have such a supportive parent.
"You okay?" Kakashi whispered, leaning a little closer to her ear.
"Just a little sad," Sakura whispered back. "Naruto's dad…he was just —such a great person."
He nodded. Of course he knew that better than her.
"Yes, he was," Sarutobi agreed. He rolled up his scroll and settled his hands in front of him and stared at them. "I'll be frank, Sakura Namikaze, you're only here because two of my best Anbu have requested your aid officially." His dark eyes shifted to Kakashi. "Kakashi has a certain high-level mission and he requested you for partner." Then his gaze shifted towards Shisui. "And Shisui has been working to quell the unrest within the Uchiha clan over the past year and says you're instrumental in helping him protect his people." Then his gaze rested on Sakura. "But, before ten days ago — there was no record of you. I don't suppose you'd be willing to share your actual surname?" Hiruzen asked.
"Uh." Sakura opened and then closed her mouth. She resisted the urge to look towards Kakashi or Shisui in panic. She clenched her fists. She wasn't going to lose her temper.
"Come on in," Hiruzen said gesturing towards the large window of his office. Jiraiya swung inside, his dark eyes swept over the three younger shinobi. "I have sources that have confirmed the Namikaze clan ended with Minato."
"No, it didn't," Sakura countered. "Naruto—."
"Is six years old. And it's Naruto Uzumaki. So who are you?" Jiraiya asked, his posture decidedly hostile. He wasn't anything like the Pervy Sage she and Naruto had traveled with after Kakashi had been reassigned from being their teacher to countless S ranked solo missions. This Jiraiya was not her best friend's Master.
"Why are you so confident that I'm not a Namikaze? What's your last name?" Sakura countered. "Just how much information can you really gather running away from angry husbands and brothers as you research for your Make Out Paradise books?" The books were written under a pseudonym, but it wasn't a secret — was it? Okay, maybe she lost her temper a little there.
Shisui chuckled and Kakashi cleared his throat. Sarutobi kept his gaze neutral, but Jiraiya was obvious irritated. Probably most people would be scared of the Toad Sannin, but Sakura felt herself channeling her inner-Tsunade.
"There is a small possibility— she could be a Namikaze," Jiraiya conceded. "Very tiny, very unlikely possibility."
"Can we please move on?" Kakashi asked.
"Honestly, I do not care what your family name is, or if you have one," Sarutobi said. "I do want to know your objective, Sakura."
"I have two— protect the Uchiha from persecution and make sure Minato's son isn't neglected any longer," Sakura said. She gestured towards Shisui and Kakashi. "And help these two in whatever way I can." She bowed at the waist. "Respectfully, Lord Hokage."
"Uchiha, speak," Hiruzen ordered.
"Yes, sir. I've been monitoring my clan and the reduction in funding to the police force by thirty percent has been seen as a massive insult," Shisui explained. "Sakura, Itachi, and I will be talking with my uncle later this morning — try to reason with him one last time."
"Why would he be interested in what an outsider has to say, Fairy?" Hiruzen asked, dark gaze shifted back to Sakura.
"Ah, well, she healed my father, Taki," Shisui explained. "Uncle Fugaku is willing to meet her since she's a Namikaze. He respected Lord Fourth."
"Taki is paralyzed from the waist down," Hiruzen said. Due to his friendship with Kagome Uchiha, he always had a soft spot for both Taki and Shisui. "It had been a dark day when Taki retired from active duty. Your father was a top notch Jonin and had forgone affiliation with the Uchiha police."
"Not paralyzed anymore," Sakura murmured.
"So, you're a medic?" Jiraiya asked.
Sakura nodded.
"You healed a man of his paralysis?" Jiraiya asked his white eyebrows raised in disbelief.
"He was misdiagnosed. His nerves weren't severed, but were impinged. He just needed the passageway cleared and for the inflammation to be relieved," Sakura explained. "If the Uchiha clan had sought medical attention from the hospital they'd have found the problem."
"You're assuming the medics would have treated the Uchiha fairly. Unfortunately, most of the people in Konoha have a prejudice against the clan," Hiruzen said. He rubbed his forehead.
"That's unethical. My master— she would have never stood for that," Sakura said, vehemently.
"Sounds like someone I'd like to meet," Jiraiya murmured.
Sakura smiled faintly.
"While I appreciate the belief Kakashi and Shisui seem to have in you — I'll need to ask you to leave, Sakura. Jiraiya and Ibiki will need to evaluate you — in case you somehow managed to fool my two valuable Anbu," Hiruzen ordered.
Kakashi shifted in front of Sakura. "I don't think that's necessary."
Hiruzen's eyebrows shot up. "Your behavior is exactly why that's necessary."
Shisui dropped to a crouch on the floor, right arm disarmingly crossed over his raised knee and left hand palm flat on the floor. He kept his eyes trained on his knee, to risk no chance of his Sharingan being directed at the Hokage. "Lord Third, please. You gave me authority to do whatever it took when you promoted me to Anbu. She is whatever it takes. I have delved into her mind — looked at her memories. I know exactly who she is. It is correct she is not a Namikaze by blood ties, but she is one in spirit. Her intentions are noble and she will be a true asset if my mission will be successful." He waited a moment. "Please."
"And you, when do you intent to start?" Hiruzen asked Kakashi.
"As soon as Sakura has the proper documents," Kakashi said. "Then make sure she's on my team. I am confident we can succeed."
Hiruzen frowned. "Danzo wanted to promote Itachi to captain — that would leave an opening."
"I don't know that it's wise for a thirteen year old to be an Anbu captain. He's talented, but it's unnecessary to put that sort of pressure on him," Kakashi protested. "I want to officially file my objection."
"Noted. And from what Genma has told me, there are several people within Anbu that are being put into compromising and unnecessary tasks." Hiruzen pulled out his pipe, packed it with tobacco, lit it up and started puffing — ignoring the other occupants in the room. He stared out his window, mind in deep thought. He set down the pipe and exchanged glances with Jiraiya. "Kakashi — your mission to infiltrate Root is on hiatus. Years ago, Fugaku Uchiha defended you against Danzo Shimura. He is the reason you were able to keep that eye of yours. "
Kakashi stepped back beside Sakura. Posture once more loose and relaxed. But everyone in the room knew he could easily coil up like a dangerous animal.
"Shisui, you may stand. Furthermore, I will be taking a more active role within Anbu. I have given Shimura too much authority. Anbu is supposed to be under my direct orders." Hiruzen rubbed his forehead, obviously mentally exhausted. "It is my responsibility not the youth of this village. It is my fault that Minato perished. Twenty-two is much too young for a Hokage and I placed an unfair burden upon him. Eighteen months later, it cost Naruto both his parents." He looked between Kakashi, Shisui, Sakura and then Jiriaya. "For that I am forever sorry."
"Sir, I am more than willing to infiltrate Danzo's secret army — for the sake of the Leaf," Kakashi vowed. "Sakura would be hugely valuable in that success."
"I know you are willing. But you are the future of this village. I asked you to find someone to help you and the best you could do is someone not even of this village. You are not a disposable tool, Kakashi Hatake. This is my fight." Hiruzen gestured between Jiraiya and himself. "Our fight."
"Thank you, Lord Third. For your support," Shisui said, bowing at his waist in deep respect.
"Kakashi, you and this Sakura will focus on supporting Shisui and his objective. One mission at a time. That is why I called the three of you in here at once." Hiruzen pointed his pipe at Shisui. "Uchiha, have your father report to me. I wish to see if he is fit for active duty and if he is not — get him there. If he is anything like your grandfather — I need him helping me," Hiruzen said. "In the meantime, what is the status of your current examination?"
"Not all the clan supports the revolt and we're currently confirming those loyal to the Leaf. We're planning to extract them and then deal with the rest," Shisui explained. "By force if necessary."
"I cannot guarantee guard for those extracted — the hostilities against the Uchiha is large," Hiruzen said, apologetically. " I was outvoted by the council and the Fire Lord and was powerless to stop the forced concentration of the clan on the outskirts."
"Some of us, like Itachi and myself — prefer having our own district. The Hyuga have their own private area, as do the Abarame, Akimichi, and Nara. Why wouldn't the Uchiha? Plus it's on our ancestral lands." Shisui paused as if choosing his next words carefully. "If only it could have been done in such a way that it seemed like an honor and not a punishment."
"That would have been better," Hiruzen agreed. "I can see if there are volunteers in Anbu." He looked towards Kakashi.
"Unfortunately, the prejudice exists in Anbu as well," Kakashi said. "Monitoring the district with video surveillance has only intensified that prejudice. I have often worked with Itachi and have observed the fear his talent has created in those that should consider him their peer. Many people foolishly blame the Uchiha clan for the Nine-tails attack. It doesn't matter that logically the Uchiha wouldn't destroy their own home."
"Lord Third, my team should be nearby in a few days— outside of Leaf territory. We won't require your Anbu operatives," Sakura explained. "They are allies of both the Leaf and the Uchiha."
"Why do you think they are coming?" Hiruzen asked. "Have you been communicating with them?"
"I—," Sakura wet her lips, searching her heart. She hadn't been certain when she started this mission. But her Kakashi, Naruto, and Sai had caught up with her against impossible odds to stop her. They were tenacious. When she first arrived, she thought this would likely be a one-way ticket, but now, she felt in her gut that her friends would follow her. "It's a hunch."
She felt Kakashi stiffen at her word choice.
Hiruzen turned towards Jiraiya again. "I don't know. The way she talks, she sounds a lot like Minato. She might just be a Namikaze."
"Hmph." Jiraiya crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Sakura. "We can still take her to Ibiki — just to be sure."
Sakura felt her face go pale. Jiraiya smirked.
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"What do you have planned for the rest of the day?" Shisui asked Kakashi after they left the Hokage's office.
"I have a mission this afternoon — with Itachi," Kakashi murmured. He seemed disappointed that his overly dangerous infiltration assignment had been put on indefinite hold.
"Let us chat briefly," Shisui said, gesturing towards an empty conference room. He ushered the two other shinobi inside and completed the room of silence jutsu to prevent eavesdropping. "I only need a couple of minutes. I don't think they'll mind if we use this room."
Sakura pulled out a chair at the table, strangely quiet. Shisui sat across from her and Kakashi remained standing. "I want to talk about the Mangekyo Sharingan." He looked up at Kakashi. "You have it too, yes?"
Kakashi nodded.
"Mine developed when I felt the guilt of the loss of my closest friend and teammate years ago. I may not have directly killed him, but my lack of action led to his demise." He gestured towards Kakashi. "You?"
"Rin stepped in front of my chidori. I couldn't stop the attack and incinerated her heart — killing her." Kakashi's voice was emotionless.
"Itachi needs to activate his M.S.," Shisui said. "In your original timeline I die — I probably have him finish me off."
"I'm trying to keep you from dying," Sakura pointed out.
"Yes, and I appreciate that. I'm counting on it in fact." Shisui gestured between Sakura and Kakashi, reminding her of their plan to hide away Kakashi's memories of their current encounter. "I received a summons to visit with Danzo— for tomorrow evening."
"Then don't go," Kakashi suggested.
"I cannot ignore the summons of a village leader," Shisui argued. "But I will be prepared. Sakura, you'll remove the poison. I will meet with Itachi at our special place —I'll explain to him what it takes to unlock the Mangekyo Sharingan. We'll meet at our steep cliff and I'll have him push me into the river — seemingly to my death. You two will keep me from dying, but he will still have the guilt of my death. Mangekyo Sharingan activated."
"It is the intense emotion that activates it, not the actual act," Sakura said nodding. "What if Danzo manages to steal one of your eyes first?"
"Then we can get it back," Kakashi said. He looked over at Sakura. "You and I."
"Or we just let him have it," Shisui argued. "You do just fine with one Sharingan, Copy Ninja Kakashi."
"No, he's right. Your powers are too valuable to let a man like that have them. If we cannot take down Root, then we can at least remove some of Danzo's ill-gotten power," Sakura said. She turned towards Kakashi. "But I should be the one to get it, I cannot risk you. You're too important for the future of this village."
Kakashi narrowed his visible eye. "We will retrieve it — if necessary."
"I'll stay with the extracted members of the clan. Itachi cannot know that I survived— I think it's important that you do not change too much, Sakura-chan," Shisui said. "You came here with one objective. Let's try to stick to it."
"But, I can fix so many things," Sakura said stubbornly.
Kakashi patted Sakura's shoulder awkwardly. "Sometimes bad things happen. It's how we deal with the aftermath."
"I'll give you the coordinates for the meeting place," Shisui said. He took a pen out of his pocket and grabbed Kakashi's hand and scribbled coordinates on his palm and then did the same to Sakura's hand. "I'll set up a tag like Lord Fourth used to flash away — in case I cannot for some reason use my body-flicker. Where are we going to stash away the clan members that have decided to withdraw?"
"The caves in Whirlpool," Sakura said. "They can be fortified and that's where my teammates should arrive." She turned towards Kakashi. "We should write that letter for Pakkun. I'll explain how the artifact works and our plan." She smiled at him briefly, it faltered on her lips. "At least you don't have to train me anymore. That should be a relief, yeah?"
"Yeah," Kakashi answered gruffly. "It was such a burden." He turned away from them, pulled down his mask and spit into his hand. Then wiped the ink off onto his pants. "Don't worry, I already memorized it." He turned his dark eye onto her.
Sakura's cheeks burned and she stared at the numbers on her palm, as an excuse to avoid Kakashi's eyes. She created a small amount of water in a jutsu that she normally reserved for irrigating wounds during surgery and cleaned the coordinates from her palm, having also memorized them. She forced herself to look up. Kakashi was staring at her, his smokey gaze unreadable. "See you tomorrow?"
"Or sooner," Kakashi said. He lifted a hand and then vanished.
"How does he do that?" Sakura murmured.
"Body flicker." Shisui smiled. "I can show you. It's an important skill. It could save your life."
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A few minutes after dropping off Sasuke, the Academy's bell went off signaling the start of the school day. Itachi had lurked nearby, watching his little brother from the shadows. This was Sasuke's second year at the Academy and his experience had already been completely different than Itachi's own. In comparing their technical skills, they weren't too dissimilar . Sasuke scored perfect and he was precise.
His little brother didn't go overboard like Itachi did and he didn't have the same desperate drive. And —Sasuke seemed to have friends. He was a quiet boy compared to the other children, but he certainly didn't seem to have any issues with holding a conversation.
Sasuke had social skills.
Itachi did not.
There were still a few more hours before he was supposed to join Shisui and Sakura in speaking with his father. At least, Fugaku had breakfast so he should be in a better mood to listen. Itachi turned back towards the central village and before he knew it, he was on the route towards the tea shop. He could use some green tea to sooth his nerves. Aside from the meeting with his father, there was a mission with Anbu that afternoon. His mind needed to be clear.
He didn't quite know the details to the mission, but there had been hints that Danzo wanted to encourage Itachi's promotion to captain of an Anbu squad. There was one technicality — he didn't have any kills on record. He suspected that was about to change today.
His hand was on the door to the tea shop when he sensed Izumi's presence nearby. He stepped back to look over towards his right and saw her running towards him, dark hair flying loose behind her, eyes wide with excitement.
She paused right in front of him, hands braced on her knees and panting. "Itachi."
"Izumi," Itachi said, feeling the corner of his lip twitch. "There was no need to run."
"I just—you're always busy." Izumi looked up and smiled. "I did it. I've — can we talk inside?" She gestured towards the tea shop.
"I was just on my way in when you ran over," Itachi said. He reached for the door again and held it out for her. "After you."
Izumi ducked under his arm, led the way inside, and picked a table in the back.
"I cannot believe mine eyes!" Shinko strolled in with a tray laden with a dark blue kettle, two empty ceramic cups, and an assortment of teas. "Itachi— I know you prefer simple green tea, but I brought four different types you can try." She set the tray on the table. "And hello, Itachi's friend."
"Izumi."
"Right." Shinko opened a small red box and pointed out the Mint, Matcha, Tench, and Chamomile. "And here's a little honey to sweeten it." She set a small bottle onto the tray. "I know you have that sweet tooth. I'll give you two some time, just call out if you need anything. I'll bring some of those shortbread cookies you like."
"She doesn't really give you anytime to talk," Izumi murmured.
"Shinko does enjoy the sound of her own voice," Itachi agreed. "What did you wish to talk about?"
"The meeting tomorrow — are you going?" Izumi asked.
"It is mandatory," Itachi answered. Shisui didn't want him to go — didn't want him voicing his objection to the coup again. His cousin worried it only painted a target on Itachi's family. "I have a mission this afternoon. I may not be finished in time."
Izumi slid a sheet of paper towards him. "Then you need this now. Thirty names-mine and your mother's included."
Itachi read over the list and activated his Sharingan to commit it to memory before he crumpled the paper, set it on the tray and incinerated it into a pile of ash. Thirty out of one hundred and fifty people were against the coup and willing to go into hiding. That still meant one hundred and eighteen people were for it — obviously he and Shisui were opposed.
"I'm meeting my father in a couple of hours— I will try to reason with him once more." He chose the Matcha tea. "I cannot understand how the tarnished pride of our clan is guiding so many to choose such a foolish course."
"You just said why— pride," Izumi said. "You're unique, Itachi. You see a problem and you look for solutions. Others, they see a problem and question why it's their job to try to solve it, why did they have to be troubled?"
Itachi ran over the names in his mind. His brother's name was included, but he didn't want Sasuke holed up in the land of Whirlpool. Like when their father made Itachi look at the piles of dying soldiers at the end of the Third War when he'd been but four years old, he needed Sasuke to see neighbors dead and dying.
It would obviously hurt his precious brother's budding social skills, but it would harden his heart and make him stronger to face threats. The life of a ninja is to shoulder the difficult tasks. The sooner Sasuke learned that, the better. If he would one day be part of the cell that defeated a goddess, Itachi couldn't afford to shelter the boy.
But if he didn't hide away Sasuke with the rest of the clan that was opposed to the coup, how would he keep him safe? Perhaps utilize the budding friendship between Sasuke, Naruto, and young Sakura? It was certainly an idea.
"Thank you, Izumi. For your support," Itachi said, smiling briefly at his precious friend. He felt a small amount of comfort knowing that at least she wouldn't die by his hand.
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It was almost a game of hopscotch at times, avoiding the Anbu cameras set up to spy on the Uchiha clan. Itachi had pointed them out to Shisui ages ago and they'd been able to avoid them when they wanted and let themselves be seen purposely at other times to negate suspicion.
When Shisui had brought Sakura to his house the first time, he'd avoided the cameras then too. Now he was leading his cousin and new friend in a round-about way to the police station. It was extremely challenging, since the Anbu kept a strict eye around the station. He'd almost gotten too close to a camera and Itachi had stopped him in time.
The Police Chief, Clan Head, Itachi's father, Shisui's uncle— was waiting for them. He remained at this desk, elbows on the table, hands laced together with chin propped on them, staring at them with dark brown eyes. Sasuke and Itachi had their mother's onyx eyes. While Fugaku didn't smile, he ironically had the friendliest eyes.
"The woman whom healed my brother-in-law," Fugaku murmured. "Sakura Namikaze."
"Lord Fugaku Uchiha," Sakura said, bowing her head respectfully. "It's an honor to meet you."
"Hm, most people called into the station for a meeting wouldn't see it that way," Fugaku stated bluntly.
"Uncle, there is an important matter I wish to discuss with you," Shisui said, waiting for Fugaku to meet his eyes and then the power of his Mangekyo Sharingan spun. He delved into the mind of Fugaku of the Wicked Eye.
"Using the Sharingan on your own kind?" Fugaku shook his head and looked around at his mindscape. It was night in the outskirts of the woods, mist drifted by, an owl hooted in the distance.
"I would apologize, but this seems to be the only way to have you truly listen," Shisui explained.
"You won't be able to change my will, nephew. Though, you might be surprised, I do not really wish for a coup. Our clan is doomed to fail in nine of ten possibilities. Only by the element of surprise do we stand a chance," Fugaku reasoned. "Which is why our meetings in Nakano shrine are so important— away from the nosy video surveillance of the village."
"You know about that?" Shisui asked.
Fugaku sighed. "Of course I know about that. I'm no idiot. I'm a detective. That's the real reason our clan was forced to consolidate to our ancestral lands. There are certain benefits — the proximity to the lake and our shrine for instance. But the hidden cameras? Most do not know about them, but enough do."
"You're risking your sons' futures with this foolish track," Shisui pointed out. "You understand that they will make me and Itachi be the ones, right?"
"Shinobi work in the shadows." Fugaku pointed at the night sky, the North Star glittered brightly. "The purpose of the old generation is to serve as a lesson to the younger. Youth still have hope. Us old men only have crushed dreams and broken promises."
"So you will force the whole clan to be destroyed over ruined pride?" Shisui asked incredulous.
Fugaku smiled at him sadly. He tapped under his eye. "You are not the only one to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, nephew."
"How long?" Shisui asked.
Fugaku sighed. "Ever since I was powerless to save Minato."
"But you're not powerless to save your sons," Shisui protested.
"Itachi will keep Sasuke safe. It doesn't matter what I do." Fugaku closed his eyes and vanished out of the mindscape and Shisui followed.
"Are you two done staring at each other?" Itachi asked.
"Yes, I appreciate your patience. I'm becoming absent minded these days," Fugaku said. He cleared his throat and looked towards Sakura once more. "Lord Fourth was a good friend. My wife was on the same Genin team with him long ago."
"I will not be able to make the meeting tomorrow," Itachi said. "I have an Anbu assignment and may not be back in time."
"I see. You are my son, so it would look better if you were there — look like we are in support of one another," Fugaku added.
"We do not support one another. I've made my position clear," Itachi argued.
Fugaku cast a quick look towards Sakura. "Mind your words, son. Clan business is only to be discussed amongst clan."
"She's here for that very reason," Shisui interjected. "We have come to bring an alternative to you. Not everyone is in favor of the coup. Namikaze here has offered her resources and allies to grant asylum to those opposed. Let the fate fall upon those that accept the cost."
"I see." Fugaku looked over the three of them. His warm brown eyes settled upon Itachi. "Your mother?"
"Would never stand against you," Itachi assured him. "However, if a mother is forced to choose between her husband and her child…"
"She will not have to make that choice," Fugaku promised. "Though, I cannot stop this movement. I am, but one old man. It is those in the prime of their power that cannot be swayed from their current course. I am clan leader, that means I support the will of the clan, it is not the reverse. It is a position of servitude."
"That's stupid," Sakura argued. "Sir," she added belatedly when an angry Sharingan was directed towards her. "That's not how the Hyuga leader acts."
"No, he had his own brother murdered because he's a coward," Fugaku spat. He drummed his fingers over his desk. "I want those opposed gone by the end of the week." He sighed and turned back to Itachi. "They may return when it's over." He waved his hands dismissing them.
"That went better than I thought," Shisui murmured.
"Did it?" Sakura asked.
Itachi nodded. "Father was surprisingly reasonable." He opened the door to the street and led the trio. "I will need to finish packing for my mission. When do we meet next?" He turned towards Shisui.
"Tomorrow night, at our usual place. I have a meeting myself with Danzo," Shisui explained.
Itachi shifted a worried gaze up on him. "Do not trust him. He is the most calculating man I have ever met."
"Definitely," Shisui agreed. "Don't bother with the meeting even if your mission wraps up early. I'll talk to my father and see if he can round up those seeking asylum. What do you think three days from now? Four?"
"Four," Itachi said. "It's best if I don't know where they are— just in case. And you should ask Izumi rather than your father. She has a list."
"Oh, well that's good. Just in case what though?" Shisui asked.
"Just in case we are the ones tasked with their demise."
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OoO
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The meeting with Fugaku had been civil. The Police Chief was both formal and polite— she could see where Itachi inherited his stiff manners. When Shisui had entered the clan leader's mind, he'd seen he was already torn in the decision to attack the Leaf's leadership. His wounded pride and that of his clan made him dangerous. They would be greatly outnumbered and while the Sharingan was an effective weapon, those welding them were weak and without talent. Only a half-dozen clansmen had mastered the ocular powers and were Jonin fighting status. Fugaku of the Wicked Eye himself, Taki — only recently returned to functional status, Shisui, Itachi, Izumi - youth more loyal to Konoha, his wife — whom refused to fight, and only two of his officers. The others were fueled by hatred and angered by their own ineptitude. Their lack of talent must have been the fault of the village, not their own— or so they reasoned. Get rid of the village leadership and they wouldn't be held back and their prowess would increase— they rationalized.
It was a doomed mission in a one-on-one battle and Fugaku knew that. Which was why they didn't plan to play fair. The Anbu was full of elite shinobi— at least the ones that survived the Third War. And at this point, Fugaku knew a coup would spell the end of the once magnificent clan. He had been receptive to offering an out to those that didn't agree.
Sakura wanted to pack a bag at her apartment and then she planned to camp out in the woods near the coordinates of the stream Shisui had given her. As she ran over different types of venomous poisons and their antidotes she found herself distracted.
A powerful, looming chakra flickered behind her. "Hey, Fairy. I think it's time we get to know one another."
Slimy, sticky bands wound around Sakura's arms and ankles, binding them. She'd have fallen over is she'd not directed chakra to the soles of her feet at the same time. Jiraiya tried to toss her over his shoulder but she wouldn't budge.
Jiraiya yanked again, obviously straining his solid muscles. He gripped her upper arms and stared down the length of her body. "Cementing yourself to the ground, huh?" He released her and spoke a few words under his breath and a giant dome formed around them — it smelled awful. And her feet were buried up to the ankles in a thick sludge.
"Now, Lord Third forbad me from using Ibiki, but I have my own means of interrogation. I'd like to know your real interest in my godson." He ran a calloused thumb over her forehead, removing the make up she'd used to carefully conceal her Byakugou seal. Jiraiya practically seethed with anger at the discovery. "Where is Tsunade?"
Sakura squirmed against the sticky bands. Did Jiraiya and Orochimaru have a thing with bondage? Snakes and toad tongues? Gross.
"Don't feel like talking? That's fine." Jiraiya leaned close and sniffed. His nose was only a few millimeters from her skin and she could feel his breathing. He gripped her jaw and forced her mouth open, gripping her tongue and pulled it for closer inspection. "No seal here. So you can speak, but you just don't." He stepped back and stroked his beard thoughtfully, looking her over. "So, you've read my Make Out Paradise books, have you? Have about Icha Icha Violence? Did you read that one?"
In that one the heroine is captured and stripped naked. She has to fight for her release completely in the nude.
"You see, many kunoichi like to get information out of their male counterparts by using their body — seduction interrogation." He pulled the neck of her shirt away and stared down - possibly disappointed in her chest bindings, but Sakura was incredibly grateful she'd chosen them that morning. With any luck he'd lose interest.
Was he looking for other Fuinjutsu? Naruto's big seal was on his belly.
Jiraiya crouched in front of her and lifted the hem of her shirt inspecting her abdomen. He spit onto the exposed skin and the saliva burned. "It's a mild acid," he explained. "It won't even break the skin, but if there is any body paint." He snapped his fingers.
"When Kakashi paraded you through the streets this morning, he knew I was watching. It was the pup's way of warning me off — don't touch what's under his protection. Don't touch whats his." Jiraiya's dark eyes met hers and distrust, anger, malice glittered in their depths. "He'll be gone on that mission of his now. So you'll answer my questions."
Satisfied there was nothing hidden on her belly, he gripped her pants and started to unfasten the front.
"Don't do this," Sakura said quietly, struggling within the bindings. She tried to body flicker herself —she'd only barely learned the technique earlier that day, but desperate times called for desperate measure. Unfortunately, her hands were plastered flat against her thighs. What was this man doing? He was Naruto's godfather! But then, who was she to him? Shisui was the only person to know the whole story, because he didn't have a future previously. Even Kakashi, the person she trusted more than anyone didn't have the whole picture. And it was her suspicious connection to Kakashi that had attracted the Sannin's attention.
"I'm not going to rape you," Jiraiya spat out. "I'm just going to see if the carpet matches the drapes." He yanked her pants and underwear down, leaving her completely exposed and absolutely mortified. "Pink, huh?" Then his warty nose sank into her folds and he sniffed. She had never felt so violated - tears of helpless rage streamed down her cheeks as his hands gripped her buttocks and he buried his bulbous nose into her core.
Abruptly, he leaned back and pulled her pants back up. The Sage-mode features softened back into his regular nose.
"My sense of smell isn't as keen as Hatake's, so I apologize for getting so close— I'm unfortunately a little congested today. Normally, it's Hatake that uses sex against his enemies." He laid back on the ground and the clear fluids from her glistened on the tip of his nose. He licked it off and grinned at her, cruelly. "Seducing the great Copy Ninja, huh?"
"It's consensual, unlike you, and he is the one that instigated," Sakura grit out. "Not that it's your business."
He gestured towards her pelvis. "The hair did catch me off guard. You should have shaved."
"I wasn't planning for other people to see me naked," Sakura growled.
"I could leave you naked and bound, watch you squirm for hours." He gestured towards her tear streaked face. "I'm not moved by tears. This is all your choice. You could just tell me who you really are," Jiraiya offered. "Your connection to Naruto. Why you have the same seal as Tsunade? Where are you from?"
Typical abuser — tell you it was all your fault. She could not risk telling him she was from the future and Tsunade's apprentice. "I'm here to stop the Uchiha clan being slain under Danzo's orders."
"That's your objective. Why involve Hatake? Why break into the apartment of a six year old boy?" Jiraiya asked. "I have all day."
Sakura clenched her teeth. She was fully dressed again but felt more naked than ever. She involved Kakashi because she was scared. He'd always been beside her in battle, except when she fought Sasori and that was a battle that still haunted her dreams— even more than the fight against a goddess. Kakashi had nearly been killed after he'd been reunited with Sakura and Naruto after their training with the Sannin— for real. "Because I am Naruto's family."
"I sense a grain of truth in that statement, but we both know you're lying." Jiraiya sighed. "I warned you." He took a deep breath and the next thing she knew, she was drenched in the same acid as before from the shoulders down and her clothes started to melt away. "You were right that I needed more inspiration for my books. Thank you for serving as my muse, Sakura."
"Kakashi will be pissed," Sakura warned. Hoping to reason with the legendary Sannin.
"I'm aware. But he won't risk the demise of his favorite author, will he? Though, I suppose that answers one question — why you involved Kakashi. He's your attack dog, huh?" Jiraiya scratched the side of his nose. "He really has been marking his territory with you."
He wasn't her attack dog. He was…she didn't know exactly what he was. He was her ship in the wide uncharted waters of the ocean. He was her hero, her leader, her Captain, and Hokage. He was the man she loved more than her own life. "He's my friend."
Jiraiya laughed, a deep bellied rumble. Her clothes continued to melt away. "Kakashi Hatake doesn't have friends."
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A/N:Wow, Pervy Sage— what an arsehole, right?