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🔥 Are you in a relationship?
The flame compelled me to sadly answer this with the truth. The only relationship I’m in is with my cat, it’s very love hate, I love him he, hates everything but food (I mean mood but I want him to love me!!) if anyone wants to date me please do inform me cause I’m bored. I’ll make you food and hug you, and gender don’t matter to me.
Revolution. | RESTORE BRITAIN
https://youtube.com/shorts/YdcH46k_BtE?si=o9cCRnjYpDruoI1r We the people of Britain are now starting to wake up and starting to make it clear Enough is Enough. The hymn Stand up stand up for Jesus you soldiers of the cross, lift high His Royal banner. We have sung hymns of power in the past when our Nation needed us to. We have prayed in our homes and prayer groups in the past in Power. The…
What the Ethiopian Bible Says About the Antichrist That the West Never Read
Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. They that are seeking the Truth, the Way and the Life and light will really appreciate this I praise God for the faithful monks who kept when books of Ancient times in tact. Who taught Truth. Thank you Master of the universe that they kept the Flame alive.
UPDATE! Flame of Truth - A Naruto Fanfiction
Chapter 5, 6 and 7 are up!
To my dear readers, I deeply apologize for not updating for a long time. I had to focus on my thesis which I needed to concentrate on for one whole term (3 months) because it was so damn hard to write one and I cannot let other things get to me. But Kami, I would be lying if I say that I did not try to reread my fanfiction in order to check if it follows the flow that I have in my head. I wanted to continue writing but I needed to write my thesis and be responsible for my academics as well as extra curricular responsibilities as well. But now I'm at my last term and need to focus on my OJT (I'm still looking though and its hard because the field of my course is quite limited. I want to cry... I actually cried because I was so frustrated and pressured and shit) and just two classes. Therefore, I have more time and bit freedom to do things I wanna do like blogging, reading, writing and a lot more.
Chapter 8 is actually already done but I still need to change a bit more because...... and Chapter 9 is being written but I'm having writer's block but bit by bit I was able to write something that should be there (and some are gibberish).
So yeah. Once again, I apologize for the hiatus of this fanfiction and thank you for your patience and for reading Flame of Truth!
New chapters: Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7
Previous chapters: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4
Summary: I thought she had a perfect life. I thought wrong. She was abandoned. She did not know for years that she was. She was betrayed. She seeks vengeance. I know what it is and what it does. I cannot let her drown in the darkness. I will not let it happen.
[Finally, I was able to make a decent summary. Actually, the summary held me back from uploading it at FF.net. I wanted it to have a summary when I upload it and now I do! Yey!]
Flame of Truth: A Naruto Fanfiction - Chapter 7
Disclaimer: Troll Masashi Kishimoto owns Naruto, not me. The plot of this fanfiction and OC are entirely mine.
Pairing: Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura
Chapter 7: Compensation
"Very good, Uchiha Sasuke" Sakura said with a smile on her face.
"Answer me" Sasuke growled. Pressing the kunai, a bit of blood flowed from her neck. "What are you?"
"Ah ah. Careful, Uchiha. This is still her body. If you're hurting me, you're hurting her"
"Sasuke! What the fuck are you doing to Sakura-chan?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Can't you figure that this isn't Sakura? Don't play dumb. That bijuu inside you can clearly feel it"
"That's still Sakura's body!"
"... Don't worry, Uzumaki Naruto. As long as I am within her, I will not allow anyone to hurt her again" The wound, made by Sasuke's aggression, healed as faint red chakra enveloped it.
"Answer my question"
"Will you give me a moment please?" Sakura crouched down, placing her hand on the floor. Suddenly, the ground shook but instead of getting broken again, it pieced out together, reverting back to its normal state. Sasuke took hold of her wrist, removing her hand off the ground.
"What are you doing?" Sasuke hissed. Her Sharingan swirled, activating it. "You will not do anything without my permission"
Sakura leaned back and laughed, placing her other hand over her eyes. "Boy, it won't work on me. It will never work on me. I'm a part of it, after all"
"Part of it? Then you are connected to the Sage of the Six Paths" Sai commented.
"Maybe I am, maybe I am not. It’s for me to know and for you to find out"
"... What do you plan to do, Enshoku?"
"Ah. Call me Shiki. After all, I am only a part of the Enshoku" Releasing her wrist from Sasuke's grip, Shiki massaged it. "I do not plan to do anything"
"Stop joking with us. We don't believe your bullshit"
"Then why ask me something and not believe my reply?" Shiki sat down on the floor and sighed. "I do not intend to do anything that will hurt Sakura. She has been hurt too much and... Uchiha Sasuke, you know this full well. Anyway, I have nothing else that I need and want to do other than talk"
"Then talk" Sasuke ordered.
"... Talk to the Fifth Hokage. She is Sakura's closest confidante. I will only give this information in her presence" She remained sitting on ground. The three men looked at one another and gazed back at Shiki who was glaring intently at Sasuke.
Sasuke reached out his hand and pulled her off the ground. Immediately, he placed chakra limiters to Shiki's wrist. But she didn't make any movement. They headed towards the Hokage Tower, guarding Shiki intently.
At the Hokage's office...
KNOCK KNOCK
"Come in" Tsunade said without looking at the door.
Shizune, who stood behind her with Tonton in her arms, guarded her master do her paperwork. Seeing the group, the black haired woman gaped and said, "Why in the world is Sakura bounded?"
"Nani?!" Tsunade exclaimed as she stood up, her paperwork scattering all over her desk.
"Konnichiwa, Senju Tsunade. Shizune" The pink haired kunoichi greeted with a smile. Sasuke stood beside her with an impassive face while Naruto and Sai stood behind. "I am Shiki, the part of the Enshoku that resides within Sakura. Ah! Do not worry for Sakura. She's asleep"
"..." Tsunade slowly sat down on her chair, chin resting on joined hands, not taking her eyes of Shiki. "What do you intend to do?"
"I simply want to relay information that will help you to know more about the Enshoku. Basically, know what Sakura and Shoubu can do"
"Why?"
"Why? Is that a question of why am I relaying this or why am I residing within Sakura?"
"... Both"
"Tsunade, your grandfather would surely be amused and surprised to how you've become. You have grown into a strong woman" Shiki giggled. "I have nothing else that I want but to protect Sakura... Yes, it may seem rather funny, coming from the threat and cause of the threat itself. But what I say is true... I have been with Sakura since she was a child and we both liked each other. Although she forgot about me, I care for her deeply. I do not intend to destroy her. I just want to protect her. As for your other question, it is still not the time and I'm not the one who will answer it"
"..." Tsunade thought of what Shiki said intently. The chakra entity does not seem to behave like the bijuus. It adapts to its host situation and capability and not vice versa, causing no harm to the host. But will the risk of trusting the words of the threat be alright? "I understand that you won't answer my other question"
"Thank you for understanding"
"But... Can I take your word that you do not plan to take over Sakura's body fully?"
"Do not worry. I have no desire to do that"
"Then what is this information you talk of?"
"Sakura has told you before that the Enshoku is the Ultimate Chakra. Way beyond Kekkai Touta or Genkai. If Sakura allows it l can easily manifest the Byakugou Seal that you have, Tsunade, even the Mokuton that only Hashirama can use. The same goes for Honoo and Shoubu"
"Then-!"
"But... Given the wavelength of the twins, they cannot reach the peak of their power. Their power is linked to how harmonized they are. But another way to self-manifest the power of the Enshoku is controlling both me and Honoo. This is what Shoubu intends to do but to what purpose, I don't know. The twins' power is halved and equal but still beyond the average. The Enshoku governs all elemental chakras but since we are separated, the same with what we govern. Sakura and I can use Water and Earth, in contrast to Fire and Wind that Shoubu and Honoo governs. As to copying Kekkai Genkai and Touta abilities, they can only copy the former and only to an extent"
"By extent, what do you mean?"
"Sakura was able to copy the ability of the Sharingan. She can create illusions as powerful as the said eye technique but she cannot use Izanagi or Amaterasu. Shoubu, as well, can only copy to an extent" Everyone was silent, mulling over the information given by Shiki.
"Thank you... For the information and your cooperation" Tsunade said.
"As long as you will keep her safe... Well then, I have spent too long here and Sakura is almost awake. Senju Tsunade, protect her... From her brother and mine..." Shiki said before staggering forward. Sasuke was able to catch her in time. "Huh? What? Where are we?"
"You fainted earlier" Sasuke said as he helped her stand straight.
"Uchiha, bring Sakura home. And... I want you to live in her house for the meantime" Tsunade said with an unwavering voice.
"Shishou!" Sakura exclaimed. "I am more than capable of protecting myself! I don't need anyone to protect me and up close for that matter!"
"Sakura, the Enshoku have spoken to us" This made Sakura stop. "It is to make sure of her said cooperation and movements. An audience is needed once she appears and Sasuke here have spoken with her"
"..." Sakura did not say anything. But after murmuring something, Sakura turned her heels and went out of the room.
The people inside the Hokage's office simply stared at the now closed door.
"Follow her and talk to her" Tsunade said to no one in particular. But Sasuke immediately went out of the room. The woman made a small smile. Naruto and Sai both sighed and left the room after a word of goodbye.
"Tsunade-sama?" Shizune called out.
"…” Tsunade stared outside her office’s window, hands behind her back. “Shizune, Sakura must be protected at all cost… Not only because it will also protect Konoha but… Sakura is like a daughter to me. I don’t want to lose her… Moreover, her actions have also prove dangerous to her own wellbeing”
“She is calling out to her brother, probably, as to why she distances herself from us. Sakura is missing her brother... Please do not be hurt by what I will say. What if your brother, Naoki, turns out to be alive? What will you do? I am sure you will look for a way to reach him and make him come back to you. That is what exactly Sakura is trying to do. Since they are twins, they have this secret communication system. Sakura is most likely trying it out to contact her brother”
“I understand what you are saying, Shizune… But she is acting recklessly. I need someone who has to look over her. The two, Sakura and Sasuke, also have to fix their relationship. And it’s Sakura who has to act first or she will forever deny her feelings”
“You don’t mean-“
“Isn’t it obvious? But I’m not trying to be a matchmaker. The more Sakura hides her feelings, the more vulnerable she becomes. I cannot allow for her to be like that, or she will beat herself up for it”
At Sakura’s home…
KNOCK…KNOCK…
“Sakura, I know you’re there” Sasuke said. He stands in front of Sakura’s home. It isn’t too big or small; two-floors, beige walls and a small garden in front of the porch. The door clicked and slightly opened.
“Come in” A small voice said. It was Sakura. She went back to her kitchen to continue what she was doing. “You can sit over there”
Sasuke simply sat at the sofa and waited for Sakura to say something. She laid down a cup of tea on top of the coffee table and sat parallel to Sasuke.
“So you have to stay here from now on…” Sasuke nodded. “…What did Shiki told you?”
“That the Enshoku you hold is not at its peak because you and your brother are not in sync”
“Something that I know yet I won’t reveal to anyone. Way to go, Shiki” Sakura murmured.
“You do not intend to share anything regarding you and your brother, and the Enshoku’s abilities?”
“No, I intend to keep it hidden” When Sasuke was about to say something, Sakura continued. “It wasn’t because I was afraid of being disgraced. I was afraid of the protection that Tsunade-shishou meant to give me. It meant sacrificing people in order to protect me. I intend to fight this fight alone since this is between me and my brother and the Enshoku inside us”
“…”
“I think you understand what I mean, Sasuke”
“Aa”
“But Shiki does not intend for us to fight this alone. It’s because, especially, right now as I am. I’m vulnerable because I still have doubts to how to deal with my brother” Sakura held her cup tightly as her face showed guilt. Then she sighed heavily. “Let’s get back to the first issue. I have guest room, opposite of my room. You can stay there. Just bring your things here. Since we always have to be with me, there is no need for you to have a key. Just one rule, do not try to enter or even touch the door at the middle of the corridor, upstairs”
“Sakura”
“What is it, Sasuke?”
“How did you know about Aniki’s plan?” Sakura stood up and was about to turn her heel, when Sasuke held her arm to keep her in her place. “I’m not letting go until I hear an answer”
“Let go of me, Sasuke… If you don’t, you won’t know how and why” The raven haired man hesitated before letting Sakura go. She massaged her arm then faced the man. “… Follow me”
Sakura headed towards the door, holding the door until Sasuke went out. When the two of them were out, Sakura jumped up her roof and pointed towards the direction of the Uchiha compound.
“You met Aniki there?”
“Not just there. Let’s go”
At the Uchiha Compound…
Sakura and Sasuke stood in front of the entrance, simply staring at it. The blossom haired woman started to walk forward with Sasuke behind her. Upon reaching the Uchiha Police Headquarters, the couple made a left turn.
The Sharingan wielder stopped, making Sakura look back at him. “Nani?”
“The Headquarters. My father and uncles used to work here” Sasuke murmured. His companion simply looked at him in wonder. He has never shared anything regarding his family. Not even once.
‘Sasuke must be remembering his clan. Best leave him be’ Sakura thought and continued walking until she stopped in front of a house, parallel to a broken Uchiwa symbol on the wall. She called before entering, “Sasuke, here”
Upon entering Sasuke’s past ran through his head.
‘Okaa-san, tadaima!’
‘Ah! Sasuke! I’m in the kitchen’
‘Okaeri, Sasuke. Kore’
‘Tomato! Arigatou, Aniki!’
‘Sasuke, keep your voice down’
‘Hai, otou-san. Tadaima’
‘Okaeri’
“Sasuke?”
“This is our house… You met Aniki here?”
“Ee... inside this room, actually” Sakura opened the door and revealed the room of Sasuke’s parents; the place where they died.
“I saw an article regarding the massacre while I was cleaning up for Shishou. That very night, I suddenly ended up walking towards here. Looking for something I really didn’t know. Then I heard a noise from this room and saw your brother. Of course, I was on the defence. But he didn’t do anything, even when I threw a kunai at him. He didn’t care that it grazed him. He told me that he isn’t going to fight me at all and was saving his chakra for your fight. Then he asked me why I was there. Why was I at your house, even when I didn’t know it was your family’s house? What was I looking for? Why wasn’t I bringing him, an S-criminal that he is, to Hokage-sama?”
“Why?
“Because he told me that I could save you. There was something missing with what he did, I told him. Why would your brother kill your clan and leave you alive? It’s a stupid thing to have let you live, if the circumstance was that I just bore hatred to the whole clan… Sasuke, Itachi loved you. You were his precious otouto… It was then that it occurred to me that he didn’t do it willingly. You know that he was ordered by the Elders to massacre the whole clan because of a coup d’état. He gave me the evidences needed in order to prove that and to save you from a life-sentence. Once his actions were justified, your actions were also then justified. It wasn’t me who saved you from getting death penalty. It was still Itachi’s doings and I was only the mediator of that justification”
“Why?” Sakura looked at him with questioning eyes. “Why did you do it after all what I did?”
“… Because even when you kept on calling me annoying, left me on a stone cold bench and almost tried to kill me… Sasuke, I still see hope that you will come back here… Not to answer my confession during your departure, but to come back to your real home” Sakura answered in a sad voice. Sakura kneeled down and touched the dust-filled floor.
“Sakura, I…”
“Sasuke… Itachi is a great man… I probably wouldn’t meet a person like him ever again in this lifetime. He was a wise, caring, loving and a strong man and brother. He did all those in order to protect you but you turned out to be the opposite and still he made a way for you to be able to come back here, unharmed. We only spent three weeks here and I can already see how good he was as a brother to you… Thinking back, maybe he knew of Shoubu as to why he treated me like a little sister”
“What was his last moment with you like?”
“How a brother will treat his little sister. He gave me an advice, a remembrance and asked me a favour… Well, it seems like all of you Uchihas do this, he cut me off and made sure I won’t be able to follow him at all”
“What was the favour?”
“First, I want to know… Was he smiling?”
Sasuke, figuring out that what she meant was Itachi’s last moments, replied, “He was”
“Sou ka.... Arigatou"
"The favour?"
"He wanted me to relay to you this... "Sasuke, I love you even after what you did or what you will do. You still have a chance to change and they will help you. Never forget that". That was his favour... I hope you are able to understand his message"
He simply nodded and sat on the floor. Staring at the dark sky, Sasuke asked, "How was he during those three weeks?"
"... He was caring. I would always meet him here around this time and he will always have fruits with him that we can eat while discussing about his mission and about the Uchiha clan before the tragedy. He wasn't the Uchiha Itachi I thought. He was really a great aniki. I felt it while I was with him those three weeks. If he cannot come during that time, he will leave a note. And one thing I always remember him doing was poking my forehead every time we depart"
"Poke?"
"Yes. Is that a habit of him?"
"Aa. He always does that to me when we were young"
"I see" Sakura stared at the sky and sighed. Slowly standing up, she headed towards a cabinet and pulled out something. Sakura held on to a box wrapped in white cloth. Sitting down again, Sasuke watched intently as she uncovers what was inside. "I don't know what's inside... I made a promise with him that I will only open this when its time"
As the cloth was being uncovered, a rectangular black box appeared. Sakura opened the box and then stopped. Her companion looked at her with unmoving eyes and reached out his hand to pull up the cover and reveal what was inside.
1 kunai and 1 shuriken. Then underneath the cover, a note was attached. The kunoichi read it and stared at the box, and back to Sasuke. "It’s for you... He said that this is compensation for that time when he promised to train with you... Just before he left..."
Sasuke took the box and held on it tightly. He was trembling. Sakura wrapped her arms around him, startling the man. "Sasuke, don't be too hard on yourself. You didn't know"
He silently cried. Cried for his brother. Cried for what he has done. Cried for what was unknown. Cried for that day. He cried with the woman hugging and listening to his cries. After an hour, Sasuke fell asleep. Sakura sat by the wall and placed Sasuke's head on her lap, serving as a pillow. Then she fell asleep, too, with the moonlight shining over them.
'Sasuke'
'Aniki?'
'Hello, Sasuke'
'Nii-san, I'm-"
'No. It wasn't your fault. Do not apologize. I choose that path and that path was certainly not the best but for me, it turned out to be the best as it protected you and made you stronger'
'You could have chosen not to!'
'I had to make a choice. It’s either they kill you or I kill them. Justice has been served. Thanks to Sakura who appeared to me'
'...'
'How is she otouto? I hope you aren't making it hard for her'
'... Did you know of Shoubu?'
'...'
'And that he is Sakura's twin brother? Did you know?'
'... Yes, I knew. He appeared to me when I join Akatsuki. Wanting to meet a fellow Konoha shinobi'
'And that he is looking for Sakura?'
'For the other half of the Enshoku. He told me. Everything. I don't know why but he told me about that chakra and his twin. That's why I had to do that to her'
'So she wouldn't follow you to where the Akatsuki are'
'... What do you think of Sakura?'
'Annoying'
'Aa. You know, you said that tomatoes taste weird when you first ate them. Then you liked it eventually'
'...'
'Sasuke, there is no need to hide your feelings. Sakura is a charming and smart girl'
'I can't, Aniki'
'Because you've hurt her too much already? Because she's distancing herself from you? One thing I learned about her after those three weeks, Sakura-chan always kept her feelings to herself. Stubbornness is the trait that you both have'
'...'
'Realize your feelings and you will know hers...'
Flame of Truth: A Naruto Fanfiction - Chapter 6
Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto is the infuriating god of this wonderful manga. I only own the fanfiction plot and OC.
Pairing: Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura
Chapter 6: Sweet, Painful Memories
Sasuke, with arms crossed over his chest, waited for his client in front of the Hokage Office. He can hear the shouts of Sakura at her mentor.
"Just let me work in the hospital, Shishou! Annoying it is for me, I will let Sasuke follow me. Just let me work!" Sakura shouts.
"How many times do I have to tell you that you have to rest?! You stubborn apprentice! Before all of this, I have told you countless times to rest from your work! You spend 48 hours straight in the hospital and then some 3 hours break then back to 48 hours again! You're killing yourself!" Tsunade shouts back. "You're an Isha (Doctor), Sakura! You should know more than anyone that you need rest!"
Shizune, holding Tonton in her arms, watched the two women bicker in front of her. She sighed and stood between the two. The two glared at her. "You two know I'm more than used to that. Now, Shishou, I think Sakura-chan had more than enough rest. You should allow her to work. But Sakura-chan, you have to take a rest from time to time. We need to limit your workload. You can only work every other day"
"Wha-?!"
"Fine by me. You have to minimize your work, Haruno Sakura. Take it or leave it" The Godaime said.
Sakura scowled and said, "Argh! Fine!"
"Uchiha, come in" Sasuke went inside the office and eyed the blonde woman. "This matter concerns you. I think you heard everything. So I'll just tell you the things you need to do"
"Aa"
"You don't need to accompany her the whole time but you will be held accountable for if she exceeds the 24-hours’ time-limit for hospital work. You monitor her on that. Also, makes sure she doesn't run off somewhere. Understood?" Tsunade ordered. "Sakura will start next week, so will you"
"Hai"
"What? He's my babysitter?" Sakura complains. Sasuke glared at her as she glares back. "Like hell your glare can do anything to me"
The man looked away, sighing as he shook his head. The pink haired medic scowls at him and shouts, "What the heck is with that reaction?! Hey! Don't you fucking smirk at me, mister!"
Sasuke remained silent and watch as Sakura shouts profanities at him. He smirks more as the woman rages more because of it. 'Darn. She's cute when she's angry'
'Shut up and get off my head'
'Whatever you say, man. Whatever you say'
Sakura shrugs furiously before stomping off the room. The Uchiha remained on his spot, watching the medic disappear from his sight. Tsunade and Shizune eyed him curiously. The black haired woman says, "She's a handful, ne? But it’s good you're managing"
"Aa"
"Has there been any sign of the Enshoku?" Tsunade asks in a serious tone.
"None"
"Tsk. How the hell are we supposed to know what this Enshoku is capable of? Fucking Akatsuki!" Tsunade slams her fist into her desk causing it to break. "Aah, shit!"
"Tsunade-sama..." Shizune sighed. Sasuke left the office to look for Sakura, as the two women look for a way to fix the 8th broken table of the week. The black haired walks down the roads of Konoha, crowded by children playing and adults talking. Some looked at him with eyes of suspicion, while some does not even look at him. He was used to it and does not care about it. He expected that, the same way he expected his supposed death sentence of a punishment. Unable to locate the pink haired shinobi, he jumped on top of the roof for easier access. He still couldn't find the woman. 'Annoying woman. Where did she go off to?'
"Sasuke!" A high pitched voice shouted. Looking down, he thought to himself, 'Tsk. Nara's woman'
Ino appeared behind him, Sasuke still looking for the blonde's best friend. "Looking for Sakura?"
"Hn"
"You should use your Sharingan already. She might be outside the village. She always does that" Ino told him. Sasuke glared at her moment but did what she suggested. True enough, Sakura is not inside the village and is in the forest. "You should catch up to her before she goes anywhere else... Can you hold onto this? You can also give it to Sakura if you want to"
Ino handed him a picture of two children laughing as they splash water at each other. Their face and smile are identical, only their hair and eyes distinguishing them. Sasuke looked back at Ino. "Sakura asked me to keep that when she studied under Tsunade-sama; so that she won't feel lost. It’s your choice to give it to her"
"Why me?"
"You're the one closest to her now and probably understand her predicament. You might be able to put her back right on track" The woman said in a sad voice. Firming up her tone, she says, "I'm not stupid to not notice her emotional situation right now. I'm her best friend and I know Sakura's confused right now. She needs help even though she doesn't want to"
"Hn" Sasuke grunted as he placed the picture inside his pouch. Ino smiled at him and disappeared.
Inside the forest...
The emerald eyed shinobi watched the water flow as she walks on top of the river. She eyed it intently as if thinking of what's the meaning behind the flowing water. But in truth, she isn't thinking about anything. She doesn't know what to think about. All she wanted was to bring back her twin she thought was dead for nearly 14 years. 'I can't blame him for what he did. He was only a child when he went with the goddamn Akatsuki'
'Sakura-san'
'Shiki, what is it?'
'Why do you want him back?'
'He's my brother. I want to save him'
'But he doesn't want you to save him. He wants me'
'What does he want from you?'
'Power... That's what all humans want, isn't it? Wars go on and on, to know who is the most powerful and who will conquer the power over all enemies. Clans fight to prove the superiority of their own power. People argue to prove one's power as a probable superior. Humans want power. Honoo and I are only some of embodied power. The bijuus, as well. Whoever controls us will be powerful. Whoever holds us can hold all shinobis into the palm of his hands'
'Not all, Shiki'
'Then what else do humans want? Is it love?'
Sakura remained silent. Is it love that humans want? Is it what kept them from pursuing power? If so, is it what made Sakura pursue to get stronger? Or was it because she just needed to get stronger to prove herself? Shiki was quiet again, leaving Sakura to her thoughts. Sakura continued walking on top of the river and towards a small waterfall. She sat down on the grass and listens to the sound of flowing water and rustling leaves. It was quiet, serene and lonely.
Sakura always go here to ease herself and think when she doesn't know what to think. This was where she and Shoubu used to play when they were kids. Their family will have picnics and she and her twin will play by the river. Being exposed to fresh air improved Shoubu's condition, making it a routine for the Harunos to come here. But right now she's alone and unlike before, she felt lonely as she watched the water flow. It wasn't because she's alone but it was something else.
"Sakura" Sasuke said, standing behind her. She didn't look at him or move. He sat a safe distance from her and lay down. "What are you doing here?"
"Thinking... Can you answer my question in more detail? How did Shoubu look like?" Sakura asked him. "After all, I didn't see him for years. I don't know what he looks like"
Sasuke paused and closed his eyes as he breathes out heavily. "He was hooded when I first met him. The succeeding times, I saw his face. I thought he was you but his chakra and hair were different. He has his eyes closed most of the time. He's as tall as me"
The medic remained silent. Minutes passed and all they can here was the nature's voice. Then Sakura stood up. Sasuke watched her as she stretched her arms. "I need to meet my patient"
Glare. "You don't start until next week"
"I'm just going to visit him, Sasuke-san. Anyway, I'm the only one who can treat him. I've been gone too long... You know him" Sakura told him before walking towards the village. Sasuke stood up and followed her.
At Konoha General Hospital...
"Sakura-nee!" A brunette girl shouted as she ran towards the pink haired nin. Sakura patted the girl's head, smiling and laughing as the girl hug her. "Daijoubu desu ka?"
"Yup. How are you, Miki? Are you drinking your medicine regularly?"
"Hai. Are you gonna visit Orange-nii? He's in his room as always. There are lots of birds there!" Miki replied. After thanking the girl, Sakura walked to the end of a hallway with Sasuke following behind her. The black eyed man watched her, smile and talk with the people she passed by. They were all giving her a bright smile.
Sakura looked back at him when she stopped in front of white door. She opened the door.
"Who's there?" A low monotonous voice asked from behind a curtain covered bed. "Sakura-san?"
"It's me... How many times did I tell you not to spread this? It makes you suspicious" Sakura said as she uncovers the curtain, revealing a man on a bed. The orange haired man was big and muscular, his clothes fit to his body.
"Jugo" Sasuke said with his indifferent tone.
"Sasuke-sama... You got him back, Sakura-san" The man named Jugo asked as he looks back and forth to Sasuke and Sakura.
"Why is Jugo here, Sakura?"
"He came back. I didn't do anything" Sakura replying to Jugo's statement. She smiled and motioned Sasuke to sit down. "Jugo. He was looking for someone to cure him. Just two years ago. He confessed everything; that he was under Orochimaru before, part of Team Taka and Hebi, that you killed Orochimaru, that you disbanded the team and that he is the origin of the curse mark. Of course, Tsunade-sama and the council were hesitant. He was supposed to be imprisoned for life"
"But Sakura-san saved me" Jugo said, smiling at the woman who smiled back.
"I wanted to learn about this Curse Mark that Orochimaru created. I was able to persuade Shishou to have him under my care. In short, Jugo is my responsibility up until now. I still can't find the way to break Orochimaru's curse but I think I'm closing in" Sakura said as she gritted her teeth, feeling disappointed. "But I will get there. I have to"
Sasuke observed how Sakura acted. She's very much dedicated to her work. She will do anything to save the people that needs saving. She became a doctor, not only because she want to be useful. Sakura wanted to be a doctor to prevent other people from the dying like how her brother has supposedly died. But even when she knew about the truth, she didn't stop her work and was still devoted to it.
"Sasuke-sama, were you able to enact your revenge to Uchiha Itachi?" Jugo asked. The two shinobis stared at him and Sasuke nodded. He felt so disappointed at himself and annoyed, but as usual, his face did not say it. "Will you be staying?"
Sasuke did not reply and kept his emotionless face intact. Sakura and Jugo stared at him. Then Sakura said, "I don't really care if you're not planning of staying. It’s your choice. Either way, you don't listen to anyone, Sasuke-san"
"'Sasuke-san'?" Jugo asked as the woman stood up and bid him goodbye. Sasuke sighed and stood up. "Sasuke-sama... this might be the first time I will ask something from you. Please protect Sakura-san. She's very fragile. Sakura-san is keeping all her feelings inside. That's why she's fragile. Her bottled up feelings will cause her to break down someday"
Sasuke stared at him and simply nodded. He went out of the room and found Sakura by the counter, conversing with the nurse and browsing a clipboard. He groaned and grabbed the girl, telling her that her work doesn't start until next week.
Three weeks later, Sakura grew accustomed with Sasuke guarding her, taking her to the hospital and bringing her home. The man visits his former subordinate occasionally, listening to Jugo's stories on Sakura's small discoveries on the Cursed Mark. But most of the time, Sasuke would be at Team Seven's training grounds… As he is now.
"Teme!" Naruto shouted as he ran towards the man, who was pummelling a training dummy with shurikens, kunais and some jutsus. The blonde jinchuriki paused and looked back and forth at Sasuke and the poor dummy. "Did the dummy do something to you?"
"This is how you to train with a dummy, dead last"
"It’s the 67th dummy you've destroyed for the past hour. Want me to train with you?"
"No" Sasuke replied bluntly, smirking as he turned around. A vein appeared at Naruto's head.
He shouts, "FIGHT ME, YOU BASTARD! DON'T YOU DARE SMIRK AT ME LIKE THAT, TEME!"
"What seems to be the problem? Dickless? Chicken Hair?" Sai asked with a smile, avoiding a kunai and shuriken after his question.
"I'm not dickless!" Naruto shouts at the smiling man.
Sasuke glared at him with all intensity and said, "Get your face out of here"
"What are you three doing?!" A woman's voice shouted from afar. The three men faced the direction of the voice and found a pissed off Sakura.
"You're early" Sasuke commented.
"Thanks for stating the obvious. Now please pray tell me why does Sai has a graze on his face"
"He's slow"
"You threw a shuriken at him! And, goddammit, Naruto! Stop throwing kunai at him!" Naruto stood still, sweating like a pig. "Now tell me, why are you three fighting?"
"I just asked them what was wrong"
"He called me dickless"
"Hn"
"Uchiha Sasuke, answer me" The man glared at the ground, not uttering a word.
Sakura sighed in annoyance and said, "You three are like kids. How old are you? 20-something years old, for kami's sake!"
"Why are you out early?" Sasuke asked the ranting woman.
"We just had a surgery session. Shishou let me off early to restore my chakra levels" Then she frowned. "Although, I don't feel tired at all. Not even a bit"
They stared at her and thought if the Enshoku contributes anything to her situation.
'Must be like you, Kurama. It lets her borrow its chakra'
'Ugly and this Enshoku must be in sync'
Suddenly, Sasuke attacked Sakura using Kusanagi. Sakura, being alert she was, deflected it with a kunai, jumping some meters away from him.
"Teme, what the hell are you doing?!"
"Testing it. I need to see its chakra flow" The Uchiha survivor replied in a low, quiet voice before lunging towards Sakura. Naruto simply watched as the two exchange blows.
"Spar with me" Sasuke said as he thrusted his sword at Sakura's side. The medic nin jumped up and landed just behind him, her fist ready to hit the floor.
With a pissed off tone, Sakura shouted, "You should have told me that before pointing your fucking sword at me!"
The whole training ground shook and was destroyed when Sakura connected her fist to the ground. It created a huge crater, startling Naruto, Sai and Sakura herself. 'Did I put in that much chakra?'
"Thought so" Sasuke murmured as he landed on top of a branch. Sakura stood in the middle of the rumbles, dumbfounded at the damage she created. Activating the Sharingan, the man saw the once-compressed chakra of the Enshoku, surging through Sakura's body. When he was about to form the sign of the famous Katon Gokyakyuu Jutsu (Fireball Jutsu), a kunai passed through the side his face, barely grazing it. He stared at Sakura in disbelief. She herself was startled at what she did.
“Stop” Sakura said, the three men appearing in front of her. Facing Sasuke with an annoyed, pissed off look, she said, "You could have told me that you were testing it, bastard”
“You wouldn’t attack me seriously if I did”
“Anyway, I need to be alone and—“ Sakura staggered forward, alerting her teammates. But she was able to regain her footing before falling down. She stood up and sighed out heavily. Then a kunai was placed in front of her neck, Sasuke behind her.
“Who the hell are you?” Sasuke hissed. Sakura turned around and smiled. “Answer me”
The Sakura in front of her possessed a smile that did not contain the happiness that the Sakura they know always had. The smile being shown to them is sweet yet incredibly painful. Her eyes held the same emotions. But, this is not Haruno Sakura.
Flame of Truth: A Naruto Fanfiction - Chapter 5
Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the plot of this fanfiction and my OC.
Pairing: Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura
Chapter 5: Due Time
It was night time, just a week since Sakura woke up. There were no visitors and Sasuke was reading a new book he had with him as he sat down in a chair just beside the pink haired medic. Sakura just woke up from her nap, eating rabbit apples that Hinata gave to her when she visited that day. Finishing her food, Sakura stood up, stretching her arms. The medic nin leaned at the window frame and said, "Why are you really here, Sasuke-san?"
'Sasuke-san?' Sasuke stared at her after hiding the book and said, "I don't know"
"...Shoubu... How was he?"
"Fine"
"You know you can be more elaborate on your answers, Sasuke-san" Sakura with an annoyed tone. She sighed. "... I'm sorry for my outburst before"
"Hn. It’s alright"
"Are you really fine with this? Because I'm not. I'm not weak. I don't need protection like I needed back when we were genins"
"... I have no right to protest"
"Tsk. I do but Shishou won't hear me out... I want to set a boundary as early as now. I hate you. You threw me away like I was nothing before. But thanks to that, I changed. I pursued power. But not the way you did. I hope you're satisfied now that Itachi is dead with his blood on your hands"
'Itachi? What? They know each other personally?' Sasuke growled. "You don't know anything"
"Ha! That's what you always say. We don't know anything. Yes. But how would we not know anything if you won't let us know? I had to know it through my investigation of your clan's massacre"
"I didn't ask you to look it up"
"Ah, I see you know what I did... Yes, you didn't. I did it myself"
"Why?"
"What happened to your clan was disturbing. What Itachi did wasn't just a spur of a thought. Such doing is plain stupidity and your brother is not stupid. I saw his record. Top of the class during his days in the academy, becoming an ANBU at such a young age"
"..."
"Itachi did it for a reason. What the Elders and Danzo asked him to do was plain horrible. The Third Hokage knew its a horrible mission and they still carried it out. That decision is a grave mistake. An absolutely retarded decision. What the Uchiha clan was planning was also horrible. Simply because Konoha has been under the influence of the Senju clan for a long time, they wanted to be in charge. Your brother was torn between his love for the village and his family. He did those things for both. He did as he was told and left the village, leaving you behind. He wanted the Uchiha clan to restart from you. He wanted you to become a hero of the village, for killing the traitor that massacred his whole clan. You did kill him but at the same time, you betrayed the village"
"How do you know all this?" Sakura stared at him without answering. They glared at one another. "How come you know of my brother's plan, Sakura?"
Sakura did not reply, heading to her bed, and said, "Could you please leave? I want to be alone"
Sasuke got up and left immediately. Sakura lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
[Flashback - Sakura's POV]
I was in the Hokage's archive, sorting the things Shishou was supposed to do. But, as usual, she got away by drowning herself in alcohol. It was my day off the hospital, Shizune taking my place. "Such a hassle... God, I sound like Shikamaru now"
(In some field in Konoha, Shikamaru sneezes, murmuring to himself, "Troublesome")
Stupid of me, I reached out for a record book without looking. In my desperate attempt to get it, I feel over, the books and compilations of papers falling over me. I struggled to get up. The stuffs on top of me fell off one by one except for one page of a newspaper which was plastered on my face. "What in the world is this?"
It was an article on the Uchiha Massacre. I remembered Sasuke. It has been two years since we last heard of him. Naruto who promised me that he will bring him back at any cost, did not give up. As for me, I really don't know.
I read through the article and wondered about it. Why would Uchiha Itachi massacre his whole family, leaving Sasuke alive? Sounds pretty stupid to me if his reason was that he just hated the Uchiha clan. Why would he leave Sasuke alive if that was his reason? Let someone live to kill you? What kind of reason is that?
"Sakuraa... Hic... I need moorree... Hic..."Tsunade said as she wobbly entered the library. Almost tripping at the sorted books, I caught my drunken master, carrying her to her office.
Later that night, I headed to my apartment, my head still thinking about the incident. I was too preoccupied and I didn't notice that the path I was walking was towards the Uchiha District. I told myself, "Might as well go"
Before entering the compound, I stopped to pray for the people who have died here. Walking down the path, I imagined black haired and black eyed people laughing and talking. They should have been alive now, doing the same things they did.
I made a left turn when the Uchiha Police Headquarters towered in front of me. I just went to where my feet took me. What danger does an empty district have anyway? I entered a large house which was at the end of the street. I stopped and pray again for the family here. The house was dusty, not being touch for years. The electricity has long been cut off so I explored in the darkness. A few minutes of snooping around the two-storey building, I stopped. "What in the world am I looking for?"
Then I heard a rustling sound at a room not far from the kitchen. I stood guard and waited. Must be a cat. But my curiosity got ahead of me. I headed towards the room. It was the only room that I haven't checked yet. I walked slowly and lightly to keep the floor from creaking. Opening the door slowly, I saw someone staring at the floor. I hissed, kunai in my hand, "What the fuck are you doing here?!"
Uchiha Itachi... What is he doing here? He remained standing, staring at me. He wasn't wearing his red cloud-adorned coat. I raised my hand to my eye level, looking at his feet to keep me from being held by the Sharingan. He did not move nor did I. Minutes passed and I heard him sigh. He said, "Haruno Sakura... I won't do anything to you"
"And why should I trust you? After what you did, do you really think I will trust your words?"
"I will not allow a blood to be shed again here" Now that's something you won't hear from a murderer. I glared at him for a moment; his Sharingan not activated; then looked at his feet again.
"Are you insulting me? Do you really think I'm a fool?"
"No" He still didn't move. Moreover, his kekkai genkai isn't activated. Now that's insulting, alright. He must be thinking he can defeat me without a kekkai genkai. I'm gonna kill this bastatd! "I'm not going to activate my Sharingan, Haruno-san. I will not attack you. I'm conserving my energy for my fight with Sasuke"
Annoyed at his answer, I threw the kunai at him. I did not hear his feet shift. He really didn't move. I looked at his eyes, the Uchiha bloodline limit still not activated, and saw blood trickling down his cheek. I was somewhat convinced that he didn't come to Konoha to bring about chaos. I slowly walked towards him, chakra limiters in my hand. He still didn't move. Then I asked him, "Why?"
He remained silent. I didn't attach the chakra limiters to him. Itachi sat down slowly and remained sitting on the floor. He began, "What brought you here, Haruno Sakura?"
"It was a sudden thought. You? You haven't answered my question yet"
"Visiting"
"And?"
"'Why am I not attacking you'? I already gave my answer"
I sighed and sat in front of him, staring into his closed eyes. For some reasons unknown, I placed my hand over his eyes, examining it with my chakra... His eye muscles are incredibly in tangled and strained. He's almost blind.
"I'm almost blind. I'm aware of that fact, Haruno-san" He murmured. I remained silent as I removed my hand. "Why are you really here?"
I felt some ominous feeling inside me. His presence isn't terrifying like I thought it was. He gave me a feeling of peace. Answering truthfully, I said, "I felt something was missing"
"Missing from?" His voice was emotionless but I heard a sign of knowing.
"From what you did. From the Uchiha Massacre" I saw Itachi's hands curl into a fist. Alert as I should be, I touched the kunai behind me.
Then he said, "So you've noticed"
"Noticed what?"
"The missing link" I stared at him. He could be lying to me. "I'm not lying, Haruno Sakura"
Is he reading my mind? I replied in a calm tone, "I don't trust you. I'm breaking my vow as a shinobi of Konoha as of the moment. I should be bringing you to Tsunade-sama"
"But you aren't"
"..."
"If you want to know the truth about the whole event, I am willing to tell you. And only you, Haruno Sakura. You are the only person who has noticed the oddity of what I did... I will be here again tomorrow evening"
"Why me?"
"Because I know you want to help my brother" I looked at him with disbelieving eyes. This man is telling me this? That I am helping Sasuke? He is beyond help. "He can still be saved"
"You let your brother succumbed into the feeling of hate and despair, and pursuit for revenge and power. Why would you want me to help him?"
"It is part of what I will tell you, Haruno-san. I will stay here until tomorrow evening comes. If you wish, you can bind me with those chakra limiters" This man is unbelievable. My patience, almost at its peak, made me agree to his terms. I attached to him the chakra limiters. I searched his coat and pouch, taking any possible weapons, and left him a ration for him to have. Before I left, I heard him murmur, "Questions are meant to be answered in due time... And now is the time, Sakura-san"
[End of flashback]
In Amegakure...
A man of purple hair lies down under a cherry blossom tree, napping. The petals danced with the wind, circling and floating. His black coat adorned with red clouds, the Akatsuki uniform, hid his body from the cold wind. A masked man approached him, Tobi. Without opening his eyes, Shoubu said, "She's awake... She remembers"
"Should we set our plan to motion?"
"... Yes"
A/N: I deeply apologize for the super late post of this chapter. I was having my thesis and I needed to concentrate on it. I wasn't able to touch this for weeks (Kami, it was torture. I wanted to stop my thesis because it was stressful and I want to continue writing this and do other things). That is why I will be posting Chapter 5 up to Chapter 7 to compensate for the hiatus of my fanfiction. I am grateful to those who read this and now I will make an FF.net account and upload my fanfiction there :D Thank you for your patience!
Flame of Truth: Naruto Fanfiction - Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and its characters. Masashi Kishomoto (I don't know if I should hate him or love him because he made us wait 10 years for Sasuke to say that he'll fight for Konoha) is the awesome genius and biggest troll of the world who owns the epic manga.
Pairing: Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura
"But! Tsunade-sama! Isn't that too light of a sentence, especially for his case?" Ino asked in disbelief. But true enough, this kind of atonement does not pass as proper for a person who have betrayed the village, joining an S-class criminal and a notorious organization of elite missing nins. "Why?"
"Hear me out first" Tsunade said, clearing her throat. "Uchiha, do you know why your sentece was downgraded from a death sentence to years of probation?"
"No. I don't know, Hokage-sama” The bounded man replied. Despite the emotionless look he had on his face, Sasuke was surprised with the sentence given to him. He came to Konoha to receive a death penalty, not years in prison and probation, and especially not a S-class mission for that matter.
"I said earlier that the Council is made up of clanheads and not the Elders anymore. A year ago a meeting was organized to change the stupid hierarchical government of the village. Instead of making decisions with some old retards, I decided that it should be changed, moreover, she told me that decisions should be made with the heads of long-serving ninja families. It nearly spark a civil war but we pulled through" Tsunade pointed at Sakura. "It was also during that meeting that we decided your fate if ever you come back to Konoha. Kouyu-san, representing, of course, the Haruno Clan, was the reason for your now downgraded sentence. He said that the Uchiha bloodline is indispensable, as it is one of the most powerful kekkai genkai. But now we know his true motive for letting you live"
"Then why the S-class mission, Hime?" Kouyu asked.
"I was just getting to that" Tsunade stood up and walk towards Sakura, simply staring at her. "Your mission is to protect Haruno Sakura"
"..." Sasuke remained silent and wondered how this mission became S-class.
"You will protect her from external and internal threats"
"Internal threats? Do you mean the Enshoku?"
"Yes. Also, Sakura is a target of the Akatsuki because of the powerful chakra inside her. She must be protected. This mission is a S-class because the stake of the village, no, probably all people will be put in danger. Only two jinchuurikis are left, Killer Bee and Naruto here, and they both have now the complete cooperation of the bijuus inside them. But we don't know for Sakura's case"
"Hn"
"Arrogant bastard... Hehe. Let's take care of that shitty attitude of yours" Tsunade commented, annoyed with the way Sasuke reacts to what she said. "You will be bounded with chakra limiters and observed and guarded by ANBUs, 24/7. Under these circumstances, you will be beside Sakura at all times. But I will keep her in a heavily sealed room in the hospital and you also. I have to check your eyes for a week or two. It is in a very bad condition. You'll have to be beside her most of the time unless I say so”
“Baa-chan!” Naruto shouted.
“What now?” The voluptuous woman groaned.
“You mean, Sasuke, will not be killed or put into jail and he will just protect Sakura-chan?” Everybody sweat dropped at the blonde shinobi.
“Yes, you baka! What’s not to understand to what I said earlier, aho?!”
"... This is all I need to do?" Sasuke asked in a calm manner.
"Yes. Just this indefinite time of a S-class mission. You may regain my trust and the people currently present in this room if you do your part well but I cannot say for the people of the village"
"Hn. I don't need the trust of people"
"We'll see about that, Uchiha. For the meantime, you will stay in either Naruto or Kakashi's apartment. Expect ANBUs observing you from afar. I will have to prepare the necessary seals for Sakura's room. I have to take care of her first. Uchiha, you can only go out with Naruto, Kakashi or with one of the ANBUs. Otherwise, you stay put in which place you will stay. You refrain from using your Sharingan... if you don't want to be blinded" Tsunade intently stared at Sasuke and reminds him with venomous voice. "Your job is to protect Sakura, Uchiha. She's important to me, everyone in this room and to the whole village. If she is hurt or abducted, I will castrate you and kill you slowly and painfully. Remember that"
"Hokage-sama" Kakashi called. Tsunade faces him with a glare. "Ma, ma. I'll suggest that Sasuke stays in Naruto's apartment instead of mine. Although it looks like a jungle in that place, it is big if we clean it. I can stay there to watch over him"
"Why mine?!" Naruto whined but was ignored by everyone.
"Do whatever you like. Just make sure that he knows his place" Tsunade replies in a lazy manner.
Then the sudden opening of the door startled everyone, staring at panting Shizune. "Tsunade-sama!"
"Report"
"There are no suspicious people inside the village. The perimeters around Konoha was secured as you have ordered us. There was no one following Uchiha"
"Sou ka... Shizune, prepare the farthest room of the hospital's top floor and have it sealed. We'll wait for Sakura to come back there. Haruno-san, I will need your help in the preparation of the room" Tsunade instructed. Facing Sasuke, she says in a clear, booming voice. "Get your ass out of here, Uchiha”
Kakashi and Naruto, heading out first, were followed by Neji and Kiba with Sasuke. They were all silent while walking down the hallway of the Hokage Tower.
Kakashi stopped and said, "You can leave him to us"
"Well then" Neji said. He handed Sasuke to Naruto and disappeared with Kiba. The three men stared at the disappearing smoke before walking towards Naruto’s place.
“… Your place stinks” Sasuke commented, covering his nose. Naruto started ranting on how his apartment was perfectly fine and no odour is coming from it.
The white haired jounin chuckled and thought to himself, “Good thing I have a mask’
Three hours later…
"Now that's a clean room" Kakashi commented, staring at the spacious, decent apartment of Naruto.
"All you did was read that orange book. Pervert" Naruto pouted as he sat down on his sofa.
"Says the one with a whole box of Icha Icha in his closet" Sasuke said as he drank a glass of water.
Three hours ago…
'Mushrooms' Sasuke thought as he cleans the closet of his blonde friend. Naruto was cleaning his table and as for Kakashi,… he’s doing what he usually do. Spotting a dusty box, Sasuke pulls out the said object and peeked inside. The man was frozen from his spot which caught the attention of Naruto and Kakashi.
“What are you doing there, Sasuke? We won’t be able to finish this” Naruto shouted.
“Pervert” Sasuke said, loud enough for the two men to hear. A vein appeared in Naruto’s head as he continuously clean his table.
“I am not a pervert! Ero-nin and Kakashi are the perverted ones”
“Says the one with a box of porn in his closet”
“I don’t ha--! ERONIN!!!”
"Gah! I told you! Ero-nin uses my place as a storage room for his works without telling me. Those aren't mine!"
"Hn"
"Teme"
"Dobe"
"Chicken-butt asshole"
"Aho"
"NANI?!?!" Kakashi watched his two students bicker at each other before going out. 'Best leave them for their reunion'
After an hour of insults and shouting...
"...I'm really glad you're back, Sasuke" Naruto murmured, slouching on his seat with his hand over his eyes. "I thought we wouldn't see you again"
"... How did they knew about the truth about Itachi?" Sasuke asked with his usual stoic face. Naruto looked at him and sighed.
"It was Sakura-chan"
"..."
"Four years ago, she started snooping around the Uchiha District. She was there every breaks she had while working in the hospital. I don't know what made her start or why she suddenly became interested. Sakura didn't tell me anything. Then the year after, she confronted Tsunade-baa-chan about the Uchiha Massacre and Itachi. She showed them a paper, a mission statement by the Elders given to Itachi. With the sign of the bastards and your brother. Sakura-chan didn't say anything on how she got it. Then everything changed. Itachi's name was cleared. Your betrayal was due to a false truth. The Elders were executed. The Council is now made up of all ninja clanheads"
"..."
"Why were you alright with the death penalty?"
"I deserve it. More than anything else. I had done too many things"
"If you weren't caught by Akatsuki, where would you be?"
"..." Sasuke was silent. He didn't know the answer. He never thought of what to do after killing Itachi. Then a cherry blossom petal slowly drifted through the window and into his hands. He stared at the pink petal and murmured, “I don’t know”
“Though so” Naruto said. “Ah geez! This is too gloomy! Let’s go out! I’ll treat you to a ramen!”
In a room of Konoha Hospital…
“Monitor her condition, Shizune. Any abnormalities in her chakra, inform me immediately” Tsunade ordered Shizune. Sakura lay down on a bed, asleep, with wires attached to her arms and machines to monitor her. Haruno Kouyu and Nemuya watch from a corner the procedure being done to their daughter. Facing the couple, the Hokage gave them a sad look and looked back at her apprentice. ‘We can only wait for her to wake up…’
Inside Sakura’s mind…
“Where…am I?” I thought as I slowly opened my eyes. My body feels light. Where am I? I was at the gates earlier because… He’s back. I looked around and saw a green field surrounding me. I stood up and felt the wind blew into my face. I saw cherry blossom petals fly with the wind. A large cherry blossom tree stood behind me. I noticed the silence that envelops this place. “What is this place?”
“You’re inside your mind, Sakura-san” I heard a voice come from the tree. I turned around and stared at the tree, wondering where exactly is the voice coming from. I circled the tree and stopped when I saw a bundle of iris laid down by the roots of the tree. Shoubu. Sasuke came back saying the Shoubu asked him to relay a message. But I don’t believe him. Shoubu is dead. He’s dead, 14 years ago. “Is that what you really think, Sakura-san”
“Who are you?” I shouted at the voice. Then I saw a silhouette of a person, sitting by the branch of the tree. The person jumped on the other side of the tree. I immediately went there and saw a woman, not taller than me, with her back facing me.
“Are you sure your twin brother is dead, Sakura-san?” The woman had jet black hair reaching to her knees. I watched her as she slowly faces me. She was beautiful. Her eyes were of tantalizing ruby red colored. Her forehead isn’t big, like mine, and covered by her side swept bangs. Her dress was of pure white. “Are you certain of this, Sakura-san?”
“They say he died because of his sickness and his frail body. I wasn’t there to support him… I wasn’t there beside him”
“Did you see his body at all?”
“I… didn’t”
“Then how can you be so certain that he’s dead, Sakura-san? You have not seen his dead body to begin with”
“Who are you? Where are we?”
“We are inside your consciousness, Sakura-san” The woman slowly walks toward me, I taking a step back. She was too suspicious. Who is she? Where are we? If this really is my mind, then why is she here? What is her purpose? “You have lots of questions inside you, Sakura-san. But you will know the answer to all of this”
“You--!”
“I am the Enshoku, Sakura-san. The half of it”
“Enshoku?”
“It is a chakra long been residing inside you. We were of great harmony before but you have forgotten me when your brother left”
“Shoubu didn’t left. He died”
“Are you certain?”
“…”
“Do you not remember me, Sakura-san?”
“… No” The woman raises her arm and I saw thorns encircling them. Her arms were bleeding so much but she did not show a single sign of weakness or hurt. I am a medic and seeing someone in such state hurts me. It was too painful to see. “How horrible...”
“These thorns are seals put on me by your clan. I am too powerful but when you were younger, you were able to control me and there was no need for such. But you have forgotten me and your confused mind and feelings affect your hold over me”
“...What is this Enshoku?”
She turns her back at me and said, “You will know in due time… We will see each other again, Sakura-san”
“Matte! (Wait)” The woman disappeared into sakura petals. I stared at the place where the woman once stood, giving me a nostalgic feeling. Who is she?
‘Nee-chan!’ I know that voice. It can’t be. That was Shoubu’s voice.
“Shoubu?! Where are you?!”
‘Sakura-nee!’
[Flashback]
“Sakura-nee-chan, I’ll protect you. So no one will be able to hurt you again. You won’t have to cry anymore” A purple haired boy said as he held his sleeping twin’s hand. The small boy, Shoubu, stared at Sakura’ face with his moss green eyes. ‘You’ll always smile and always be safe’
It was the night after the incident that showed their powers as Enshoku retainers happened. They were held inside their room after their parents found them unconscious with Ino. Sakura was still sleeping in her bed and her twin stared at her with worry filled eyes. The Enshoku that has long been residing inside their bodies was now calm.
“Do you want to save your sister?” A voice stated. Shoubu turned his towards the open window and saw a cloaked man.
“Who are you?!”
“Shh. Your sister will wake up”
“Who are you? What do you want?”
“I’m… intrigued with the power that you and your twin sister hold, Haruno Shoubu. What is it called?”
“How did you know my name?! And that is none of your business!”
“Hhm. I wonder if it really isn’t my business. I am very curious of this incredible chakra you hold. You and your sister will be able to control the world in your palms if you come with me”
“No!”
“Then I can take one of you” The man eyed Sakura with interest. Shoubu, noticing this, blocked the man’s view of her twin’s face. “Sakura, isn’t it?”
“You will NOT take Sakura-nee-chan! I won’t allow you!”
“We’ll see about that” The man chuckled as he jumped out of the window. Shoubu glared at the spot where the man was earlier. Sakura slowly opens her eyes and saw her twin looking outside the window.
“Shoubu?”
“Nee-chan! Daijoubu desu ka?” Shoubu asked as he placed himself beside his sister. Sakura gave him a smile and nodded. “That’s good. Do you… remember anything?”
“…Eto… Ah. I remembered releasing Shi-chan. Then you were releasing Ho-kun… Don’t ever do that again, Shoubu. We might hurt other people”
“Hai... Demo, Nee-chan was crying. Somebody hurted you” The boy lowered his head and started sniffling. Seeing her brother in such state, Sakura places her hand on top of Shoubu’s head and patted him. “Nee-chan…”
“It’s fine now. I can take care of myself. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine”
“But they can hurt you! I wasn’t there to protect you! I’m weak!”
“Shoubu, no! You’re not weak” Sakura said with a stern voice. Holding her twin by the shoulder, the pink haired girl looked at Shoubu straight in the eyes and said, “You’re strong. You’re not weak. You are the strongest person I’ve ever known and always will be. Remember that”
“Nee-chan… Hai!” The twins smiled at each other. They talked about many things before drifting into sleep, side by side. Holding each other’s hands, they said to each other. “Otanjoubi Omedetou. Oyasumi Nasai, Shoubu/Sakura-nee (Happy Birthday and Good Night, Shoubu/Sakura)”
[End of Flashback]
