Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Salvation	By : OliviaBenton Category: Naruto > General Views: 1037 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Salvation
- 2-Air of Things to Come
- 1
- 2
*Note: Taichou means Captain.

Chapter 2: Air of Things to Come

**

***

**

A weary gaze roamed over the uniformed ninja situated upon stony seats; fellow shinobi gathered together in little groups of necessity. Those who awaiting orders surrounded him at every turn: dealing cards, throwing dice, or immersing themselves in mindless talk. Veterans sat interspersed, but young pups formed the majority of Hidden Bunker C -the foolish in the Copy-nin�s jaded opinion. So many young faces -the inexperienced who no doubt volunteered to take up residence in this cavernous settlement under a guise of: a hunt for adventure, a means to make a name for themselves.
From the ground up, it boiled down to na�ve thrill seekers who he hoped wouldn�t cave under pressure of an incoming threat.
Regrettably, under these stalactite ceilings, innocence flowed in like the sparkling waters of a sea only to be contaminated by the littered land it touched �the very experience most of the poor souls were lacking.
A chair tipped back, its balance already uneven from the rocky floor. The requisitioned seat would have been as rare as gold had it not been for his second in command; a man known for his exquisite earth jutsu and his like minded specialists from battles long past.
Seated at the earthen round table, an impulse to sully the dust in Side Tunnel B set his calf muscles a jerk. No. It was too soon. Pouring over a map of the adjoining territories, there was still business a foot. Had it not been but forty-five minutes since his last premeditated visit?
Patience �a virtue his mother had instilled, a value even the freshest genin must have.
A forefinger wiped away condensation from the rim of a tin cup. The strong brew filled his senses, the caffeine swimming through his veins. The night was not yet over. Traipsing enemies could still be encountered. News from the other secret facilities needed to be tallied.
The Captain of the Night Crew had to stay vigilante.
�Kakashi-san, you�re looking especially pensive this late hour.�
An indistinct nod was given to the interrupting second in command. A seat was taken before the inquisition continued. �Does this have anything to do with the recent loss?�
Gloved hands pushed away from the table whose base merged with the earthen floor, a dark eye settling on the familiar face of the one formerly known as Tenzou. A somber voice spoke over the brimming cup of dark liquid.
�I can�t help but feel as if our position was lost before it was even taken.�
A usually deadened stare widened. �Are you implying a breach of security then? Here or��
A silver mane shook once in the negative. A deep-seated sigh spilling from cloth covered lips as the tin cup was returned to its place.
�There in lies the problem. The leak could have sprung in any of the five encampments.� A calculating gaze swept the wide circular cavern. �Eyes and ears open. I want any suspicious activity reported to me immediately.�
Yamato gave an agreeing nod, beckoning over an unoccupied subordinate with a finger. Whispered words were exchanged and then the messenger went off, the young one�s duty to spread the word.
From the tunnel to their right that housed the makeshift hospital hurried a frazzled looking, white clad kunoichi. The grey haired woman stood tall in front of the two conversing captains. Irritated hazel eyes turned upon her younger superior with none of the apprehension from the newer recruits.
�Hatake Taichou, remember when you told me to come to you if I ever experienced any sort of trouble from the injured?�
There was a weighted nod. �I recall.�
The lightly wrinkled woman nearly bristled. �Well, I�m here.�
A chortle escaped the man to the Copy-nin�s side. A hand lightheartedly smacked the table�s surface as a posterior was lifted from a seat. �I�ll take care of this. It�s my duty to remedy lesser troubles after all.�
A firm hand stayed the Second�s elbow as did the curious voice from his superior. �And who would be the cause?�
�Funny you should ask. It�s that whelp of a girl you brought in. You would think a fellow medic would listen to reason but no. Hardheaded lass that one. Always has been.�
Thin lips stretched dark material in a hidden smile.
�I�ll handle this one.� A mock comforting hand was rested on a broad shoulder. �Not to worry my friend. The next disturbance is all yours.�
A derisive sniff was heard from over a white vest-strapped shoulder as the leader of the Night Crew strode away.
�Gee, thanks.�

-O.O-

A determined hand moved in quick strokes by the light of an issued oil lamp.
--Dear Sasuke,
An event has led me to mull over your words in a newer perspective. Know that my heart remains broken but I�ve found that hate is too strong a word to use in conjunction with the father of my child. Though I do not understand, nor do I agree, I cannot bring myself to cast out the one I thought of as a �brother� either. We�ve braved too much together to do so.--
A tear fell as the next lines were slowly scratched upon the parchment.
--How is my Hotei? Are you reading his favorite stories before bed? Has his cries lessened in the night? I trust Mikota is keeping him well fed as well as yourself. Tell her I miss her cooking.--
A lip quivered as a growl of frustration left her throat, delicately scrawled words blurring as falling moisture bled into ink.
--Despite the fact that my mind tells me not to, the pieces of my heart miss you as well. I know your feelings on my coming here. Just know that when my tour is over �yes, when I return- we can discuss further arrangements for our situation. For now, give Hotei my love and tell him that mommy misses him. Even though you might have fallen as a husband, you have yet to fail as a father. I trust you will keep it that way. Take care of our son in my absence.
Sincerely,

Sakura--

The fluid stokes of the brush halted here, but that familiar sense of regret from before forced her hand.

--P.S Tell Naruto I said hello.--

A brush finally lay to stone just as a courteous knock on a wall followed the end of the first letter home. Wanting nothing more than peaceful solitude, the Uchiha by marriage kept quiet. Silence remained until a second knock followed a grim familiar voice.
�I know you�re in there. Here�s to hoping you�re decent.�
A ghost of a smile graced downhearted features as the visitor swept a hanging curtain to the side. A scroll�s contents folded out of view; its owner looking up to the uninvited guest, a playful challenge twisting corners of a full mouth.
�And if I wasn�t?�
A narrowed eye ran the length of the bit of heavy bandage visible just below the hem of the raised portion of her shirt. Hands quickly scrambled to hide said bindings from their stretched yawn position.
�I�d find myself dodging a spray of shuriken, much like that poor messenger from a few days ago.�
The injured kunoichi moved about the room from her seat at the earthen desk, voice portraying nonchalance.
�Oh. So you heard about that?�
The hiss of pain coming from the other as attempts to lay down ensued, the bothered man drove straight to the point.
�Why aren�t you resting in the infirmary like a good wounded ninja?�
�Kakashi, you and I both know I can finish healing myself. Training in everything we do remember?� Jeweled eyes swept down to the overturned parchment across the room. �Besides, I had some personal issues to attend to.�
A strong back sagged against the opposite wall; a dark gaze determining her words, minor puffy eyed appearance and the distinct wince as she moved about in the goose-downed makeshift bed. His voice softened a fraction of an octave, eye trying to read beneath that melancholy look.
�I don�t suppose it could have waited?�
A feminine body bristled under the calculating stare.
�No.�
Heavy, troubled eyes looked to the side, unable to gaze upon the other any longer. �I believe this wounded ninja needs more rest. If you�ll excuse me��
The unwanted visitor turned to leave, speaking as he moved to the curtained doorway.
�In that case, I should tell you that you�ve been moved to the night shift. I�ll let the Day Watch Captain know during shift change.�
A hesitant voice spoke up, knowing her now former captain�s unruly temper.
�Do you think she�ll mind?�
The retreating figure paused, back to the laying woman, hands resting easily in its pockets.
�No. Oh and Sakura��
Emerald eyes gazed upon the back that had become dear to her over the years.
�Yes?�
Eyeing the shoddy stitch work in the makeshift door, the turned away man spoke.
�I don�t know why you felt the need to put yourself in danger then, nor do you have to tell me now. But make an old friend a promise, neh? No more kamikaze runs if it can be helped. Deal?�
A curious mind whirled with this new verbal contract, but gave a binding answer all the same. One in which she had already decided upon the brink of death, beforehand.
�Deal.�
Curious eyes watched the man, who remained somewhat of a mystery, step out of her room. Those same eyes took in the sight of a darkened outlined stilling by the covered entrance.
An unruly head cast down, eye staring at the floor.
�One more thing and I�ll leave you be. Just so you know, even my ears can be leant to a friend once in a while.� The deepened voice turned whimsical after a short pause. ��as long as it has nothing to do with woman problems. I suggest Anko�s second in command for that.�
A grin twitched on lips unseen, voice betraying the same amused tone.
�I�m sure Kurenai-san wouldn�t like you handing out her name for such things.�
That grin formed a smile as the outline of a shoulder rose and fell.
�Well it�s either her or her superior, unless of course you�d rather have a heart to heart with Renetsu-san.�
The young medic didn�t particularly take a liking the older one and it was spelt out clearly in her harsh tone.
�I�d rather talk to Anko-san instead of that old battleaxe thanks.� The gruff voice turned soft and grateful. �But I�ll keep what you said in mind.�
Soft eyes watched a head nod through thin material.
A smile pulled at covered lips. �Good. Now, get some rest. Your shift starts tomorrow night.�

-O.O-

A seat was taken, next to the man awaiting his superiors return.
Peircing eyes roamed over the image of the relaxed other. �How�s she doing?�
Lukewarm coffee sloshed in a cup. �Taken to self healing.�
�Stubborn. Just like that husband of hers.�
A grunt was given. The only response able to be mustered in regards to that subject at the moment. Thankfully a diversion appeared in the form of Kamizuki Izumo.
�Hatake Taichou, the next rotation from home has just arrived. There are four this time. Oh and they brought mail.� A vanilla envelope was plucked from the stack of rubber banned letters. �Here�s another one for you.�
A brow rose on the intrigued man to his side, along with a smirk. �You ever gonna enlighten me on who keeps sending you those letters?�
The question was ignored as orders were given out to the man studiously standing before them, said letter being tucked behind a white vest.
�You know the drill. Go down the list and wake the corresponding day watch crew who�s been here the longest. Yamato here will herd the newcomers through the preliminaries.�
The water and earth user sighed, getting up from his seat, knowing this was his punishment for trying to pry.
�Guess I�m off to play host.�
An eye creased behind the man heading up the sloped hall toward the entrance.
�The next disturbance was yours.�
An eye rolled, knowing had that excuse not been there another would have surely arisen.
�Right.�
Once without worry of meddling eyes, a seal was broken and a piece of paper unfurled. A dark eye traveled each line, brows furrowing with every sentence.
--To the man I haven�t heard from in months,
I hope you are doing well. Of course, this I will never know since you haven�t written back the entirety of your stay. I find it quite sad that I have to find out your status from word of mouth. The excuses are starting to fall short when inquiring about your welfare. But then again, it isn�t like there is anything to hide anymore.
You ground the gears to a halt on that one.
Look, I understand that you�re not one to write. I never expected a lengthy novel from you in the first place. A simple �I�m fine� or �Leave me the hell alone� would suffice. Remember, above all else, we�re still friends. If I recall correctly those are the exact words you said to me that day. As your friend, I care about you. (Even though sometimes you force me to feel that I shouldn�t.) As my friend, do me two things, would you?
Write back.
Don�t Die.

In my opinion it isn�t much. Give me a little something to ease my fears. You owe me that much.

Sincerely,
Someone Who Cares--
The heel of a gloved hand fustratedly dug into an eye socket

-O.O-

A finger delicately traced over the photographic features of a handsome man holding a little bundle of joy; sterile hospital walls serving as a backdrop. This was her little treasure �a wrinkled picture in her grasp.
The little trinket had traveled many places over the year and a half span since it was first taken; a touchstone during many a mission. Now it felt contaminated by bitter betrayal.
Tears fell to already stained cheeks. A traitorous whimper escaped, leaving despair in its wake.
Soon tumultuous emotion poured out unbidden, echoing in the grotto of a room; the white curtain doing nothing to filter out the raw emotions from within.
Many a brow furrowed as multiple sets of eyes cast to the dirt covered flooring outside; passerbys bearing witness to the free flowing sorrow -none able to help, none willing. Not one wanting to soil their hands with the burden inside.
That is until one came round the familiar bend in the tunnel. A someone who could not bring themself to stay away. Light had come and his shift had ended.
Yet, his bunk and bed he did not seek. Instead, it was a certain kunoichi. A crying woman who needed him more than even she believed. A soul too used to solitary even in a binding contract of marriage. A woman beaten down not by physical wounds, but mental.
So as the curtain was drawn and the man stepped through, the offer to lend a shoulder as well as an ear was given.
The fragile woman within clung desperately to the one who had become her savior yet again.
Wetness seeped through dark material as the story of loss unfolded in-between heart wrenching sobs and sputters.
By the end of the sordid tale, three things were learnt whilst sitting enshrouded in darkness with the weeping woman.
Her prodigy husband was indeed capable of love. But that affection had never been for the one whose head sat buried beneath his covered chin now.
But those words had come from her very mouth just a few scant seconds ago. This she knew. Who the receiver of the surviving Uchiha�s affection was, she had not known.
Until the guilt of many an adulterous act -with the same person- over years past and present finally pried the truth from her husband�s usual tight lips, days short of her finding her way to the Copy-nin�s side.
It seemed to the consoling man that the whispers of clues that had resided even in his own head had proved to be true.

A flood of emotion had mingled in his chest but....
Traitorous optimism all but vanished once the third realization set his mind awhirl and his body in action.
The enemy had come knocking; the red flashing light in the hall and the abrupt baying of a siren attesting to that end.

-O.O-

To Be Continued

[Any kind of criticism is welcome. I'm not very good at catching mistakes]
- 1
- 2
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Salvation