Chapter 6
Naruto followed the frenzied ebb of Sasuke's chakra. He was not nearly as adept as Karin with her…"Mind's Eye" ability, but he could differentiate between friends well enough. Kurama had decided to make a full appearance, and with that, Naruto's senses heightened.
"Where the hell have you been?"
"You expected me to stick around on your couples trip? Didn't think there was anything I should be involved with."
"Ah," Naruto said within his mind, smiling slightly. "Wow…that's actually really nice, Kurama. Hinata will be happy to hear you're so respectful of her."
"Keep talking and I'll take over the next time you bed her."
"K-Kurama?!"
Naruto shook his head, ridding himself of the demon's rumbling voice. He certainly didn't want to further agitate the beast…especially since he was about to engage with another.
Sasuke stood motionless at the edge of a clearing. His shoulders rose and fell with every breath. His fingernails left half-moons against his palm. The ringing in his ears was grating, sending him closer to madness.
Closer? No, Sasuke was already in madness. The end of his inherited curse had cleared the fog of his mind. This was his tragedy–to think and feel so deeply. To understand, but not be understood.
"What's wrong?" Naruto finally said, coming up beside the man.
"I'm… tired."
Cutting his eyes toward his friend, Sasuke felt smoke begin to expand in his chest. It suffocated him.
The blonde folded his arms behind his head, unaware. "You've been traveling a while. Why not take a few days' rest at my house when we make it to Konoha? A nice shower and a warm bed will do ya good."
"I'm not…physically tired." If he were, his emotional exhaustion took precedence.
"Then, what is it? You're tired of us?" At this, Naruto squared up. He did not hide his frustration. "Sorry we aren't emotionless–"
"Naruto, I am not emotionless!" The anger spilled out from him. Words he'd kept etched to the inside of his throat burst forth. "I am tired because I feel everything. I am never without emotion."
Quietly, his friend moved closer in his proximity. Sasuke closed his eyes, trying to explain the jumble within.
"It's so loud inside my head. I regret everything I've done and if I had to do it all over again, without the knowledge that I have now, I have no doubt I'd make the same choices."
"If you had to do it all over again, Sakura and I would make the same choices, too. We would never stop fighting for you. We never will."
"Do you both realize who you're fighting for?" He asked.
Jugo had called Sasuke his cage. Sasuke was the only one who he trusted to stop his outbursts, to keep him from making mistakes. He did not want to hurt others or to elicit fear.
While Jugo's changes were apparent–his rage palpable, Sasuke's was hidden. The blackness that stretched in his chest and wrapped its hands around his heart was not physical. It was a manifestation brought on by torture.
Orochimaru had to prepare his body for everything. Alcohol could not inebriate, drugs could not make him forget, poisons could not kill, women could not seduce.
As the months went by, bound and tied in a prison cell, Sasuke realized he was more fearful of the happy memories than the hateful dreams that haunted him were those of his mother, smiling, sweeping their front walkway. Those of his father, sitting silently at the breakfast table, and Itachi, carrying him on his back.
He had gotten so accustomed to falling asleep with the thought of Itachi's blood on his blade. He slept soundly, dreaming about the fall of Konoha. He wanted it so badly he could taste it. He devoured nightmares like a child with their milk and honey.
And there was no coming back.
With Itachi dead, with Konoha no longer the enemy, Sasuke's mind had taken to something else. His sharingan showed him the same scene, over and over–Sakura dripping wet having just exited the bath.
He knew–he knew she was innocent and pure. She was so happy, talking about how she would extract, dry, and prepare those petals for those that needed it. His polluted brain would not recall that, though. No, Sasuke saw her beneath him, crying out, legs spread–
"You were supposed to be with Sakura."
Naruto tilted his head. "In what way?"
"In every way. You two should have bonded over my betrayal–should have despised me."
"...and what? Do you think I could convince her–that I could tell her to give up on you?" He scoffed. "What could I have said that you didn't? We weren't meant for each other. Not like how Hinata and I are, and not like how you and her are–"
"Naruto," Sasuke cut him off. He sounded truly miserable. "I can't stay in Konoha. I can't protect her like you can."
Although Pain had leveled the village, the ghost of his family still haunted him. Every re-built house and cobblestone path and had an apparition of an aunt, of an uncle–of his father and mother and broth–
It was safer for the village, anyway. His eyes brought misfortune. Enemies would come from all corners of the word, from all dimensions, from the heavens above and the hells below. He'd become a target and inturn, others could get hurt.
Sakura was not to be hurt. Not by him. Not anymore.
"You know what they say," Naruto said, offering him no pity. "If you want something done properly, you need to do it yourself. I will always be there for my people and my friends–my family. But If you want Sakura safe, then you need to be the one to save her."
Sasuke stared up at the neverending sky. The stars were so bright, twinkling, beckoning him. They reflected in his eyes like glitter, bringing them to life when they were clearly dead. A reflection of his soul, truly.
The gates of Konoha loomed ahead. Loomed–as if Sakura dreaded their sight. She was back in her habit, biting the inside of her mouth so much that it felt like sandpaper. No one spoke since yesterday–the only interaction she'd had was when Hinata had shook her awake. Sakura felt like an outcast.
Still, she did not want to leave them.
Konoha was home, but so was Naruto. So was Sasuke. As much as she tried, she could not make sense of his declaration, and she would not get answers within these walls.
Touch him? Whenever she wanted?
Her feet felt like lead as the guards came to view, waving them in cheerfully. The smells of food wafted by. It was warm and inviting here, as if the very air drew her in.
Naruto bounded ahead, grinning ear-to-ear. "Now don't you all rush off. Let's have some Ramen first. It's on me."
Suigetsu shrugged. "I don't have my papers."
"You don't need them, you're with me." Naruto bragged. As they walk up to the sentries, Naruto nodded and waltzed right through. Suigetsu, Jugo and Karin were not as lucky.
"Papers," They said, but with less hostility than normal. They were just doing their jobs, after all.
"No, no, they're with me."
"Yes," the man said, offering an apologetic look. "I understand Naruto, but we can't just–"
"I'll report immediately to Kakashi, Yuma. Karin is a citizen and Suigetsu and Jugo will not stay past nightfall."
Everyone stared at Sakura, who offered the guard a sweet smile. Karin wondered if this is another one of her…seductions. Maybe they weren't always so on-the-nose. Maybe they were hidden in her full lips and sugar-coated words. "Don't forget, your wife has an appointment next week. 9 AM. I can't wait to see your baby."
"Yes, Doctor Haruno, we are ecstatic! Thank you again."
Farther down the road, Naruto elbowed his teammate jokingly. "That's not fair, I'm the village hero."
"So is Sakura," Hinata bragged. "She takes life with her hands, and welcomes it to the world, too."
"And works at the civilian schools," Naruto adds.
"And how's your clinic turning out?" Hinata asks.
Sakura blushed, not used to such praise. "I have a stack of neverending paperwork ahead of me."
Karin observed from the sidelines as the crowd parted like waves for the Konoha natives. When she wandered alone, she felt the weight of indifference; no one seemed to notice her presence. A few glares were thrown her way, but for the most part, people remained absorbed in their own lives. In stark contrast, the group ahead radiated warmth—bright smiles and friendly waves accompanied them.
Suddenly, a child darted toward the group, enthusiastically mimicking Naruto's signature move. Before her parents could react, the little girl landed a playful punch right in the blonde's stomach. He doubled over, dramatically collapsing to the ground, feigning agony. In an instant, Sakura sprang into action, her hands glowing with healing chakra as she rushed to his side, acting as if he were in dire need of her assistance.
"Oh no! Not the village hero!"
"I'll get you, you damned brat!" Naruto yelled out as the kid ran off, giggling. His mother bowed an apology, scurrying after her offspring.
"You don't remember her name?" Sakura chides. She helped him up, shaking her head. "Tomo, Naruto, Tomo."
"Tomo-to, Toma-to," He grins.
It is like she's having an out-of-body experience. These people…who were these people? How were they so…happy? Didn't they know pain? Karin could help the question that leaves her mouth.
"How is it so easy for you to be kind to people?"
Naruto doesn't even look at her, his smile does not falter. "Because, people have not been kind to me."
She folds her lips in and bites down.
A small, rinky-dink booth appeared on the edge of the street. It was a quaint bar that looked like it could barely serve five at a time, let alone seven, but Naruto entered nonetheless. He thrived in this place–his chakra glowed so brightly it almost hurt to look at.
Sasuke, on the other hand, churned. The opaque chakra that used to engulf him had mellowed into a vibrant plum shade. It was dark in the middle but crisp and clear at the edge.
Karin looked at Sakura as she dipped into the restaurant, watching minty green swirl and curl, restless. Karin tried to sit as far away from them as possible, but with only a single bar, she took her place between the black-haired princess and Jugo.
"Let's get some sake, old man." Naruto ordered with his finger in the air.
Karin heeled her palm to her chin, ready to eat her meal and leave. She did not want to drink or linger in this place any longer. She looked at Hinata, watching the warm, fuzzy fluff of her pastel blue chakra bounce in excitement.
Something smaller, fluffier caught her eye.
The woman looked lower, taking notice of the neon blue that flickered several inches below her bellybutton. Two chakras…? Karin sat upright, rubbing her eyes. That was different. Even Naruto, who had a demon inside of him, shared a chakra signature.
The man behind the counter passed out the alcohol. Karin watched as Hinata picked up the small cup, bowing in thanks as her husband brushed a strand of her hair behind her ears.
As she brought the sake to her lips, something took over Karin's body. Without warning, she stole the glass out of Hinata's hand and pounded it back. It was smooth and dry.
"What's your problem?!" Naruto asked, standing up behind his wife and placing his hands upon her turned towards them, looking puzzled.
Karin shrugged. "She's pregnant."
"Pardon?" Hinata asked. Karin didn't know if she could not hear, or did not want to.
Saying it louder–perhaps too loud, Karin repeated herself. "You're pregnant. You have a second chakra signature in your belly. Your womb, actually, I guess. A baby. You can't drink alcoho, right?"
When no one spoke, and the silence became unbearable, Suigetsu tapped his shot on the table twice and raised the cup into the air. "Well, uh. Congratulations,"
Naruto and Hinata had left to tell the important people in their lives the good news. They were sure Tuechi would not spread rumors, but they felt the Hyuuga elders and Kakashi should be the first to know. Iruka as well, Sakura presumed. They'd be going house-to-house, most likely out until nightfall.
That was why Sakura invited Sasuke, Suigetsu, Jugo and Karin into her home. It also wouldn't hurt for Naruto to have one uninterrupted night with his wife–now the mother of his child.
Sakura fumbled her keys, feeling like her hands did not belong to her.
They had insisted on a hotel, but Sakura wanted to save them the embarrassment. These people did not have high views of Sasuke or his teammates. This would engrage Naruto and, instead of spreading his exciting news, he'd spend his night raging. Hinata did not deserve that.
Sakura's house was…messy.
Jugo was the first to cross the threshold, his curiosity piqued by the cozy chaos within. As he stepped into the living room, his gaze swept over a coffee table littered with an eclectic assortment of books and ancient scrolls, each whispering tales of forgotten wisdom. The couch, a veritable fortress of plush pillows and colorful throw blankets, beckoned invitingly. Scattered around the room, empty tea cups stood as silent witnesses to quiet afternoons spent in thought.
To his right lay a kitchen that bore the marks of a culinary enthusiast. While the dishes were neatly washed and food carefully put away, the withered flowers in the vase told a different story—one of neglect amidst the busyness of life. Not a single chair at the table was tucked in, as if the last occupant had hurried away, leaving the space suspended in time. A cup towel hung lazily from the oven handle, and more books and scrolls crowded the countertops, hinting at the depths of knowledge that awaited discovery in the charming yet disordered sanctuary.
"Welcome home," She said cheerfully. It was not fabricated. "I have two spare bedrooms. Well, one is an office but the couch folds out. The other is a proper bed. It's right up the stairs."
The office was even more disastrous. Two large, glass cabinets settled beside a singular window. Her desk was situated in the middle, right where the sunlight would shine brightest. Large tomes and textbooks were stacked upon themselves, opened, as if she used multiple to cite her sources. Her computer was modern and stylish–there were no chords it connected to.
As if they weighed nothing, the woman lifted the station in its entirety and moved it to the corner. "Let me get the linens and towels. Feel free to shower, too. There's only one, but the bathtub is separate so if more than one wants to–well, they can. I have a huge water-heater."
She stepped away from Suigetsu, Jugo, and Karin, leaving them alone in the dimly lit room. An uneasy silence settled in as Suigetsu broke it with a smirk. "She's not much of a homemaker, is she?"
Jugo's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening as he quietly assessed their surroundings. "Nonetheless, she's invited us into her home. Not many would be willing to—"
"Or stupid enough," Karin interrupted sharply, her voice dripping with a mix of disdain and unease. The tension in the air thickened, as if the walls themselves were closing in, and the weight of unspoken thoughts hung heavy between them.
