Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Underneath The Leaves	By : ChaCha92 Category: Naruto AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 4798 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Don't own anything in the Naruto universe. Some dude in Japan does. Make no money on my stories either.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Hauling ass Ermine returns to the village in record time. Life and death situations tend to be great motivators like that for her. She knows she’s in deep shit with Baa-chan and doesn’t want to inflame the old bat’s wrath further by pulling a Kakashi. She gets why Tsunade is upset with her, but following her gut instinct is just one of those unchangeable constants about her.
Within twenty minutes she returns home and quickly sheds her ANBU uniform to become Uzumaki Naruto once again. Once dressed in her jounin uniform she frees her hair from the hairnet then heads right back out, pulling her hair back into a low ponytail while booking it for the Hokage Tower.
At twenty-years-old, life is considerably different now for the redhead than it was when she was a child. She isn’t the failure and outcast anymore. Few villagers see her as the demon instead of the hero the Yondaime wanted her to be honored as. She figures if it’s taken this long to win everyone else over, with more time she ought to get the stragglers to come around too.
It’s taken a couple years longer than the other rookies, but her stubborn determination paid off when became a jounin two years ago. She never doubted she’d catch up to them, just a question of when. They’re all exceptional ninja in their own rights, excelling in their specialized fields.
Arriving at the tower with minutes to spare, Naruto patiently waits with Tsunade and Jiraiya when Kakashi surprises them all by arriving on the dot. Noting their expressions he merely shrugs. Tsunade struggles for a moment with this new development as none of her threats ever worked on him before. Shaking her head to refocus, she pins Naruto with a hard glare.
“Report!”
“Team 18 searched our assigned sector for any signs of Uchiha Sasuke with no success,” Naruto begins without hesitation. “We were about to sweep it again when I got the feeling we had to search the Uchiha district immediately.”
Tsunade merely quirks an eyebrow, but says nothing. She remembers rightfully defying orders at times because of her instincts in the past.
“We arrived at the district within minutes,” Naruto continues. “Enhancing my senses, I picked up a faint trail. It wasn’t old, just Sasuke did a really good job covering it up. It led us into the Uchiha Senbei bakery. We conducted a thorough search for any traps or signs of him. Ino suggested he’d been there, but exited the same way he entered. I felt we missed something. So I ordered her to get reinforcements while Lee and I continued searching. Lee discovered the hidden door and I ordered him to stay behind and guide our backup to the passage while I tracked Sasuke.”
Tsunade contemplates Naruto’s words before speaking.
“I understand why you continued tracking Sasuke. He would’ve escaped if you waited for backup, but your orders were not to engage him alone.”
Naruto acknowledges the hidden question of why with a nod.
“When I found him, I was out of sight in the tree line at what should’ve been a safe distance away where he wouldn’t detect me. The fact he was looking into the trees my way showed his senses are sharper and he’s stronger. I also knew I had to stall him.”
“Was he running when you caught up with him?” the blonde asks conversationally, glancing down at her desk distractedly to trace the grain with a finger.
“Um, no,” Naruto shifts uncomfortably. “He was waiting in the middle of the clearing.”
“Did he attack when he sensed you?”
Waiting for an answer Tsunade looks at her in feigned curiosity while leaning forward in her chair and resting her elbows on the desk with her fingers threaded together under her chin. Swallowing thickly Naruto recognizes this isn’t a good sign.
“No. He, um, didn’t attack until I entered the clearing and declared he was under arrest.”
“So, let me get this straight,” Tsunade begins, leaning back in her seat to thoughtfully tap her chin. “Even though he was looking in your direction, he didn’t attack or acknowledge you in any other way. He only sensed your presence, right?”
Naruto nods grimly, dreading what was coming.
“Assuming he was simply waiting your move, tracking him was out, but once you engaged him, you could’ve attempted to restrain him from the beginning like you did toward the end of your battle, right?”
Swallowing again thickly, Naruto nods before quickly adding, “I was attempting to stall him until reinforcements arrived.”
“Yes, you did just say that,” Tsunade muses sardonically. Arching a delicate brow again she asks, “But was that honestly what you were doing?”
Sighing heavily Naruto shakes her head. She quickly cuts Tsunade off when she opens her mouth.
“You ordered me not to fight Sasuke alone and I get why, but I couldn’t let him escape again. We don’t know how long he’d been back before Ero-sennin sent you his message and he was already outside the village when I found him. Even if I followed orders, do you really think any other ANBU could’ve gone toe to toe with him without serious injury? I know him, how he fights and how he thinks.”
The silence stretches out before Tsunade reluctantly nods her head.
“Okay, I’ll give you that, but you knew a live capture wasn’t a priority. Why didn’t you just kill him? It would’ve been easier. We came in after the explosion and you had plenty of opportunities. Why convince him to surrender?”
The redhead sighs heavily, well aware of Kakashi standing next to her and feeling Jiraiya’s heavy gaze, all of them keenly interested in the answer.
“There’s a ton of questions lingering about the Uchiha massacre. We need to find the truth because that shit is why all this trouble started. ‘Sides there’s still a chance to save him. Haven’t thought that way for awhile,” she admits with a shrug. “But I changed my mind fighting him. I wouldn’t have bothered otherwise and killed him myself,” she states with quiet intensity. “But he’s worth saving. Not ‘cause he’s the last Uchiha, but because he’s my friend and teammate and a valuable Konoha shinobi. If our shinobi are thrown away so callously, then why are we all here? Why do we all fight and struggle to protect the village?”
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Kakashi decides to share his thoughts.
“Regardless of the outcome, Tsunade-sama, if Naruto believes there’s merit to uncovering the truth, then it’s worth the effort. It’s enough for me she thinks an investigation is warranted.”
Considering it, Tsunade looks over to where Jiraiya stands silently off to the side by the windows with his arms crossed, absorbing the entire exchange. Taking his cue, he straightens out of his slouch and steps closer to finally join the conversation.
“It’s clear there are too many masterminds pulling the strings behind the scenes and causing trouble. This may be a way to bring an end to our problems and eliminate the ongoing threat from the Akatsuki. They lost Itachi and if we can turn Sasuke around, they may be losing an advantage,” he finishes with a shrug.
After a few minutes of contemplation Tsunade finally speaks up.
“Agreed.” She pauses to pin Kakashi and Naruto with a glare. “You two will be handling the investigation. I’m cutting back on your missions for the time being. I want you to try uncovering the truth as quickly as possible.”
“Why us?” Naruto asks in confusion. “Not that I wasn’t going to insist on being involved since I promised Sasuke, but why not Ibiki or someone else from T&I?”
“I want the investigation to remain as low-key as possible,” Tsunade explains. “Obviously there’s something sinister going on and the fewer people involved the lower the risk of information leaking out to our enemies. You both already have the clearance to access the high security documents involved. Plus, I trust you with this delicate situation and, more importantly, Sasuke trusts you. If this results in one less enemy out for Konoha’s blood, then so be it.” When the others nod in agreement she continues. “Sasuke is currently being treated for his injuries in the secured ward of the hospital. Afterward he’ll be handed over to Torture and Interrogation.”
“Don’t be too severe with the teme, Baa-chan,” Naruto interrupts. “He never attacked any Konoha ninja he stumbled across, only members of the retrieval team when they engaged him. So, his crimes really are leaving without authorization and resisting arrest. He’s never attacked the village, nor committed any treasonous acts against it. Maybe if we show some leniency he might roll over on the Akatsuki.”
“After all the crap that little prick’s pulled, you want me to cut him some slack?” Tsunade incredulously asks.
“Okay, he’s been working hard to earn the title of having the biggest, longest and crookedest stick shoved up his ass, but you gotta admit he’s probably got some good dirt on Orochimaru and the Akatsuki,” the younger woman reasons. “And if he’s willing to come back to our side, he’ll be a great asset when it’s time to take on the Akatsuki.” At Tsunade’s disbelieving expression, she sighs in exasperation. “I’m not saying throw him a parade and present him with a fruit basket as a ‘Welcome Home’ gift. ‘Sides, I’d personally like to see him bleed a little even if he rolls over. I’m just saying don’t be too harsh.”
“Leave it to you to go to bat for someone who’s consistently tried to beat you to death with one. Alright,” she agrees with a sigh. “I’ll consider it, depending on if he complies and what he’s got to offer. But I don’t think he will. Anyway, I’m heading over to the hospital to check on him after we’re done. If you two want you can be there.”
Naruto glances over at Kakashi. There was no way she isn’t going, but she wonders if he’d want to be there. Meeting her gaze he merely shrugs before nodding his head.
Turning back to Tsunade, she grins, “Count us in, Baa-chan!”
Tsunade shakes her head in amusement.
“It was a good call, gaki, regarding Sasuke,” she compliments before her gold eyes harden to steel, causing a heavy weight to drop into Naruto’s stomach at what’ll come next. “But you’re still not off the hook for disobeying a direct order, justified as it were. Not only are you assigned border patrol for the next month, but you’ll also be my personal guard for every council meeting, committee or full, for the next two months.”
She smirks at the look of dismay on Naruto’s face.
“Think of it this way, gaki,” she cheerfully goads. “It’ll be more like keeping me company since it’s time for the annual budget review.”
Naruto twitches and resists the urge to beg for mercy, knowing there’s no way in hell it’ll work. She absolutely hates getting guard duty when it was the end of the fiscal year. It’s hard staying awake while the council endlessly nitpicks over every little thing. Unfortunately, without any good blackmail material to bargain with, she caves with a resigned sigh.
“Hai, Baa-chan.”
“Good,” Tsunade chirps cheerfully, rising to her feet as Jiraiya and Kakashi chuckle. “Let’s head over.”
Exiting the office Naruto and Kakashi trail through the corridors behind the two sannin. They don’t get far before the sound of running feet echoing off the wooden floor grows increasingly louder towards them. Their surprised wgeb Sakura rounds the corner and rushes up breathless.
“Tsunade-shishou! Is it true Sasuke surrendered?”
Tsunade remains silent, contemplating what to tell her apprentice, when Sakura notices Naruto. Taking her presence as confirmation, she stuns everyone by giving her former teammate a bone-crushing hug.
“I’m sorry for doubting you sometimes, but I knew you’d do it! Only you could’ve brought back Sasuke-kun!” she gushes excitedly.
Kakashi notices Naruto’s stiff posture as she hesitantly and awkwardly returns the hug. He understands her wariness. With every failed attempt to bring Sasuke back, the medic grew more distant from the both of them until she finally requested off his team. He remembers Naruto was confused and upset, especially when Sakura refused to talk to her anymore. Even he’s leery of Sakura’s sudden warmth toward her now.
“What’s going to happen to Sasuke next, Shishou?”
Tsunade narrows her eyes at her young apprentice.
“I don’t know how you found out about Sasuke so quickly when only ANBU knew, but now is not the time to renew old schoolgirl crushes. Aren’t you supposed to be on duty at the hospital right now, Sakura?”
A hurt look fills sad, green eyes.
“No, Shishou,” Sakura shakes her head. “My shift just ended. I wanted to see what I could do to help. I accepted Sasuke-kun never loved me a long time ago, but I still care for him as a teammate and a friend. One of the first things Kakashi-sensei taught us was to value our comrades and be there for each other. Sasuke lost a lot of support in the village because of his defection and consequent actions and if it’s true he surrendered he’ll need all the support and friendship he can get.” Pausing she sighs wearily before continuing. “So even if I still felt for him that way, now is not the time to indulge in childish fantasies. He needs friends, not fangirls.”
Naruto and Tsunade blink at her in shock. Tsunade is half tempted to order an exam to see if Sakura wasn’t an enemy nin in disguise. Jiraiya merely scrutinizes the girl while Kakashi considers what she said before speaking.
“Sakura was a member of Team 7 and a former classmate of Sasuke’s. That past connection could be very helpful in keeping him on track.”
“I agree,” Naruto nods determinedly, recovering from her shock. “Sakura should go with us to see Sasuke. He’ll probably still be defiant, but reuniting the team might go a long ways towards swaying him.”
Closing her eyes briefly while shaking her head, Tsunade blows out a frustrated breath.
“This just keeps getting more complicated than it needs to be. Fine. But remember, Sakura, what you see and hear remains strictly classified. Understand?”
“Hai, Shishou,” Sakura answers solemnly with a nod.
Sakura joins them as they silently leave the building for the short walk to the hospital. After getting updated by Shizune that Sasuke’s treatment is complete and he’s up for visitors, Tsunade leads them to his room. Naruto didn’t injure him critically, but the extensive internal and external bruising all over his body, in addition to a few minor fractures, would keep him bedridden for a few days.
The hospital room was specially designed with hidden seals keyed to the prisoner’s unique chakra signature, preventing escape. Sasuke is also secured to his bed with chakra restraints and a special seal was placed on him, preventing him from activating his Sharingan. Four hidden ANBU guards inside and outside the room complete the security measures. Ibiki is already inside the room, waiting as they filed in. Being his old sullen self, Sasuke refuses to acknowledge them and looking anywhere else but at them.
Standing off to the side with Naruto and Kakashi, Sakura breaks the silence first.
“Welcome back to the village, Sasuke-kun.”
Naruto is shocked that she didn’t run up and squeeze the shit out of the teme. Part of her is actually disappointed it didn’t happen. It would’ve been fun to watch his eyes pop out from the pressure. Sasuke ignores the greeting, pissing her off especially when she sees the disappointment in Sakura’s eyes.
“Let’s get started,” Tsunade states, kicking things off first.
The blonde spends several minutes asking about his purpose in Konoha, where he has been the last few years, who his comrades are, etcetera. If he answers, it is only with short, terse responses. The one sided conversation continues for several minutes before Naruto gets extremely annoyed.
“Hey, what the hell, teme? You knew we’d be asking you this shit, so why aren’t you answering Baa-chan right? If you want help uncovering the truth about your clan, then you’ve gotta to give first.”
“Why should I?” he scoffs. “I’ll just be tossed into a cell and forgotten anyway.”
“Not if you give up all you know,” Tsunade interjects. “If the information is valuable enough, you might earn your freedom. I’m not making any promises,” she points out, hardening her gaze. “You’re not innocent and pulled a lot of shit over the years. Being willingly honest could go a long way towards keeping you from spending the best years of your life in prison.”
Sasuke sullenly considers it for a few moments.
“I want in on the investigation.”
“Can’t do that,” she states, shaking her head. “Ignoring the fact your punishment has yet to be determined, you don’t have the clearance to access the high security vaults, which will be searched as part of the investigation.”
“He won’t need to, Tsunade-sama,” Kakashi reasons, drawing everyone’s attention. “There’s no security breach if he’s allowed to review information solely related to the investigation found in the archives. As a result he might provide useful insight on what’s found. Besides, he’s aware he’ll only hindering uncovering the truth if he compromises the investigation by leaking classified material. Aren’t you, Sasuke?” he pointedly asks with an arched brow.
Sasuke stares at his former sensei in surprise before recovering his senses and nodding.
Scrutinizing the young man, Tsunade thinks about it before reaching a decision.
“Alright Uchiha, here’s the deal,” she crosses her arms. “If you freely give up everything you know, no matter how insignificant you think it is or that it’s none of our business, you won’t get a prison term. Know this,” she raises a finger up for emphasis. “I’m not doing this because you’re an Uchiha. I don’t give a shit about that. It all depends on what you tell us and how fast. Understood?”
The silence stretches out for several minutes while the brunet considers the terms before nodding.
“You’re still getting punished even with compliance,” she continues. Ignoring his arched brow she adds, “Regardless of what you think, you did not have the right to abandon your sworn oaths to protect and serve Konoha and the Land of Fire to associate with an S-ranked missing nin.” Stepping closer she rests her hands on the bed rails, boring intensely into his eyes for emphasis. “Other than resisting arrest, you didn’t actively attack any Konoha nins or commit any other crimes against the village. So, if all goes well, I’ll put you on probation. You’ll be confined to the village for duration of six-months with ANBU watching you 24/7. A tracking and restriction seal will be placed on you to reinforce compliance. Even if you shake your guards, the moment you step outside the walls you’ll be painfully shocked into unconsciousness. When you wake you’ll be in your new room at the prison. You’ll also pay restitution for damages incurred when you left the village and during the failed retrieval missions.”
“Restitution?” Sasuke hisses. “I shouldn’t have to pay anything if the village is guilty of causing my clans demise!”
“That has nothing to do with the injuries incurred when the retrieval team attempted to bring you back!” Tsunade counters fiercely. “They were following orders when you left without permission. Your actions put them in situations that caused injuries to nearly every single member of the retrieval team. Two nearly died as a result. There is no excuse for that.”
Her fierce gaze holds his defiant glare until he finally looks away. Mentally smirking in triumph, she continues.
“So, depending on how much damage you caused over the years, the amount could increase.”
Sasuke turns to glare murderously at her again.
“My game, my rules,” she shrugs indifferently. “I don’t have to let you play at all. Like you said, I could easily toss your ass into the deepest, darkest cell we have, never to see the light of day again. Never knowing the outcome of the investigation. Play nice and I’ll let you participate. You’ll only see those documents related to the investigation, nothing else you don’t have clearance for.”
Sasuke glares for a few moments before taking a deep breath and nodding.
“Knew you’d see it my way,” she chirps before continuing. “I’ll admit your skills are advanced enough for jounin. However, another part of your punishment is you’ll retain the rank you were when you left, genin.”
Sasuke stares at her in shock, but she cuts him off when he opens his mouth to protest.
“You have to prove yourself, Uchiha. You’re on the fence regarding our culpability in the demise of your clan, that doesn’t make you trustworthy. Once your probation is complete you can go on missions again. Plus, you’re in luck the next chuunin exam is in five months. I’ll let you participate and if you’re promoted it’s only a short wait until you can take missions again.”
Tsunade gives him a few minutes then continues with her final pitch.
“Any way you look at it, if you want to uncover the truth about what happened to your clan you’ve got to earn our trust. If it helps any, I’ve assigned Kakashi and Naruto to handle the entire investigation.”
Sasuke’s eyes snap to her in shocked realization at how lenient she’s being towards him as she smirks at him.
“Either accept my terms or get tossed into a cell and be completely forgotten. It’s your choice, regardless of what you think we did or didn’t do.”
The tense silence stretches out while Sasuke thinks about Tsunade’s terms.
“I accept your terms and conditions,” he finally nods.
Naruto and Sakura grin in relief.
“Alright,” Tsunade nods in approval. “I’m leaving you with Ibiki then. Before I go there’s one thing I’d like to know. Why didn’t you go all out in the battle? You hardly used your Sharingan at all.”
Sasuke stares at the blonde Hokage for a moment, contemplating still being difficult, but his desire for the truth wins out.
“I was sure I’d win, but knew I had to save enough strength to escape afterward,” he admits.
Tsunade merely arches a brow before signaling Ibiki who nods and steps up to Sasuke’s bed.
“The more information you provide and the sooner you give it up, the less it’ll hurt. That’s a promise.”
Sasuke turns to snarl in defiance, but it quickly dies on his lips when he stares into the scarred man’s cold eyes, realizing he’s not grandstanding. Mutely he nods his head in compliance.
Noting Ibiki has things well in hand Tsunade promptly leaves the room, leading the remainder of Team 7 and Jiraiya to her office at the hospital. Once they are settled inside Sakura speaks up.
“May I help with the investigation, Shishou?”
Tsunade scrutinizes the eager young woman before shaking her head.
“No. Although you’re a jounin, you don’t have the same security clearance Naruto and Kakashi do.” At Sakura’s crestfallen look, she sighs, adding, “Besides, you’re due to start your advanced surgery rotation soon and there’s no way you’ll have the time. Interrupting your training now could seriously hamper your progress and we can’t afford to delay it. We’re critically low on highly skilled surgical medics.”
“Don’t worry, Sakura-chan,” Naruto reassures her. “We’ll keep you up to date on what we can as we progress. Besides, Sasuke’s gonna need all our help readjusting to being back home. So by being there for him you’ll be a tremendous asset.”
“I know, and you’re right,” Sakura agrees with a deep sigh.
Seeing that issue was settled, Tsunade turns her attention to Kakashi and Naruto.
“You two start tomorrow. Report to me in the morning and I’ll give you a starting point. Sakura,” she begins, turning to her apprentice, “I don’t need to remind you not to discuss the investigation with anyone. Everything you heard today is classified, understood?”
“Hai, Shishou.”
“Good,” Tsunade nods before eyeing Naruto. “I’ll have to keep you and Kakashi homebound, but I think now is a good time for you to start training as my apprentice for Hokage. It’ll help keep anyone from questioning why you in particular are digging through secured archives.”
“I’ll sniff around to see what sort of rumors and information I can dig up regarding the massacre,” Jiraiya offers. “There might be something new out there that we missed before.”
“Good idea,” Tsunade agrees before pausing to scan her subordinates. “I doubt Sakura will have the time, but you two can consult with her regarding information she has clearance for as you see fit. However, don’t go out of your way to include her. I can’t emphasize enough the investigation needs to remain hush-hush. As word gets around of Sasuke’s return, you’re permitted to reveal you’re helping him assimilate back into the village. If Sasuke is cleared, he’ll be made aware of these restrictions as well. Dismissed.”
The remainder of Team 7 leaves the office together in awkward silence. It’s dusk when they emerge from the hospital, casting everything in beautiful golden hues accented by dramatic shadows.
“We should go to dinner together to catch up,” Sakura suggests hopefully. She then quickly adds, “My treat!”
Kakashi watches Naruto hesitate. He doesn’t blame her. Sakura appearing out of the blue, suddenly wanting to associate with them again is tough to swallow. However, he knows there’s another part of her that waited years for Sakura to come around again.
“Sure,” he shrugs at his former student.
With a questioning look, Naruto turns to him.
“She’s paying.”
Not knowing what else to do, Naruto reluctantly nods.
“Count me in.”
Overjoyed, Sakura leads them to Choji’s favorite Korean BBQ restaurant. After settling into a booth and placing their orders another awkward silence falls over them. Naruto disinterestedly flips through the drink and dessert menu left at the table while Kakashi sticks his nose in his ever-present Icha Icha.
“I’m sorry,” Sakura quietly apologizes.
Uncertain they heard correctly Naruto and Kakashi immediately stop to gape at Sakura sitting across the table from them.
“I’m sorry for being so distant,” she repeats in emphasis. “It wasn’t anything either of you did or didn’t do. It was all me.”
Sakura’s eyes drop to the table briefly while Naruto eyes her in confusion and Kakashi’s face remains inscrutable. Taking a deep breath, the medic looks up again at her former teammates.
“I couldn’t stay with the team because I felt worthless and useless. I didn’t feel like I was contributing anything whenever we tried bringing Sasuke-kun back. I wasn’t strong enough to be of much help and only got in the way.” When Naruto opens her mouth to protest, Sakura holds up a hand to stop her. “Please, let me finish.”
The pink haired woman takes another deep breath before continuing.
“I was ashamed because you guys were doing most of the work. I know I only have myself to blame,” she admits forlornly. “Being smart on paper is fine, but I neglected other areas of my training and if I’d been stronger I could’ve contributed more when Sasuke-kun left. Maybe together we could’ve changed things. So that’s why I left.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” Naruto asks, confused.
“I couldn’t,” Sakura shamefully admits with a soft, sad smile. “I felt like I was falling further behind everyone with no hope of catching up. It got so bad I couldn’t lie to myself anymore. It was best to leave and rectify my mistakes by working hard to improve under Tsunade-shishou. And I couldn’t bear to face either of you until I could hold my own.” Her expression turns sheepish. “Unfortunately, when I finally felt strong enough, I couldn’t figure out how to explain it and kept making excuses for not coming back sooner.”
“I thought you blamed me for failing to bring Sasuke back and that’s why you left,” Naruto admits, getting over her shock.
“Not at all,” Sakura adamantly shakes her head. “Like I said, it had nothing to do with anything anyone else did or said.” A small rueful smile crosses her lips. “I forgot all of Kakashi-sensei’s lessons about teamwork. I should’ve realized that applied to sharing my concerns over my weakness.”
“You were strong enough back then, Sakura,” Kakashi points out. “Despite all of our best efforts, we all failed to bring Sasuke back. He was determined to pursue revenge, so there was nothing anyone could do to stop him.”
Sakura cocks her head slightly, considering it before reluctantly agreeing.
“True,” she nods. “But I could’ve helped more if I was stronger. That’s why I focused on improving, to help the team get stronger.”
“Well, what happened in the past should stay there,” Naruto firmly declares. “You learned from it and it’s time to move on. Sasuke needs our help. ‘Sides, I sure as hell don’t believe for a minute the Third had anything to do with the massacre. I don’t care if they found the old man standing on a pile of bodies, covered in blood and praying to Jashin! If he ordered it, he would’ve told everyone why. So I don’t buy it.”
Kakashi nods before adding, “It’s important we uncover the truth and since you can’t do much to help with that, Sakura, you’ll be doing a lot by just being there for Sasuke. It’s going to take time for him to reintegrate into the village and won’t have many supporters, if any.”
“No kidding!” Naruto rolls her eyes in exasperation. “Especially among the rookies. So it’s gonna be up to us to keep the teme in line.”
Reassured, Sakura smiles warmly at them both. Soon their food arrives and they enjoy a nice relaxing meal together, chatting and catching up. It isn’t long before they call it a night since Sakura has another early shift the next day.
The sound of a key scraping in the lock followed by the distinctive click alerts the lone occupant of the comfortable living room. Looking up from the tabloid she was reading, the pink haired woman smiles when she sees her daughter step tiredly through the front door. Hastily setting the magazine aside, the thin woman excitedly rushes across the room as Sakura removes her shoes.
“Did you hear the great news? Rumor’s going around Uchiha Sasuke is back!”
Sakura rolls her eyes before coldly replying, “I know. I saw him today.”
“You did!” her mother squeals delightedly, following Sakura through the house to her room. The questions pour out of her mouth in a steady stream. “Is he alright? Will they be punishing him? Will Tsunade-sama reform Team 7?”
“Shut up, Chiwa,” Sakura orders with a growl.
Chiwa stops cold. Part of her knows not to anger Sakura when she’s like this, but another is bursting for answers. Irritation soon wins over common sense.
“I’m only hearing partial rumors!” she snaps peevishly. “You know more than anyone else!”
“Tsunade-sama ordered me to remain silent. I can’t tell you anything, Chiwa,” Sakura mutters over her shoulder.
“I’m your mother, you should be able to tell me anything. And why don’t you call me ‘mother?’” Chiwa demands, planting her hands on her hips.
Reaching her room Sakura stops just outside her doorway to face the older mirror image of herself.
“Because you hate being called ‘mother,’” she sneers in annoyance. “You said it makes you feel old and my calling you by your given name fools people into thinking we’re sisters. Or so you claim.”
“Well, it’s true!” Chiwa huffs petulantly. “But since no one else is around, I’d like for you to call me ‘mother.’”
“That implies I respect you. I don’t,” Sakura dryly retorts, giving her a flat look. “And before you start repeating like a scratched record, I can’t tell you much about Sasuke. That order includes you. All I can say he’s surrendered and will be returning to Konoha.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” the older woman laughs delightedly, forgetting her irritation completely. “There’s still a chance of you becoming the matriarch of the new Uchiha clan!”
Turning from rummaging through her drawers, Sakura glares at her mother.
“Marrying Sasuke is no longer my goal. I’ll be doing what I can to help him reacclimate to the village, as his friend and teammate, NOT as some horny slut panting after his dick.”
“You’re a young lady! Don’t be so crass!” Chiwa scolds, an embarrassed blush creeping across her face.
“Shut the hell up and get out!” Sakura orders. “I’ve got an early shift in the morning.”
“Well, if you’re going to be that way, then maybe I shouldn’t give this to you,” her mother sneers, drawing a folded piece of paper from her pocket. “It arrived just before you returned home and I don’t…”
Chiwa cries in alarm as she’s slammed hard against the wall next to the door. She feels something cold and hard pressed against her neck as she watches her daughter lean in close enough to kiss. Sakura isn’t any taller than her, but when angered like this, Chiwa feels she towers over her.
“I’ve warned you about interfering with these messages. Do you want me to punish you like last time?” Sakura asks in a sickly, sweet voice.
“N-no,” Chiwa barely stammers out in a hoarse whisper.
“Good girl,” Sakura coldly sneers, releasing her mother to slump tearfully against the wall.
Snatching the note from her mother, Sakura opens it to read the encrypted message, completely ignoring the older woman’s soft sobs before finally looking up at her.
“I’m going out again, don’t wait up.”
“But you just got home!” Chiwa protests, regaining her composure.
Sakura turns to level a freezing glare, shutting her up quickly.
“You know I can’t ignore these orders. Make yourself useful and prepare my clothes for tomorrow.”
Chiwa nods mutely, watching her daughter disappear from the house into the night.
Minutes later Sakura arrives at a beautiful, pagoda style mansion located on the outskirts of the village. Surreptitiously she eases through an upstairs window, creeping her way along the shadowed, empty hallway. Silently she slips through a door at the end of the hallway into a large, darkened study.
As she makes her way across the room a floor lamp is switched on. In one fluid motion, she snatches out a kunai, whirling on her adversary in the corner.
Unperturbed, Danzo silently watches her before strolling past to the desk. She stays in a defensive stance, watching as settles himself into the luxurious, leather chair.
“You are late.”
“Blame it on that stupid whore who gave birth to me. Idiot barely gave me the message. I came as soon as I got it,” she retorts snidely, relaxing her stance and putting the kunai away. “I’m the one who’s pissed. Why the fuck did you have to call me over this late? The Uchiha fag’s not going anywhere, so this could’ve waited until tomorrow. I’ve had a long day and was looking forward to soaking in a bath.”
Danzo waves off her ire dismissively.
“There is no time to waste because of the return of Uchiha Sasuke. We need to immediately pick up where we left off and start moving things in the right direction.”
Rolling her eyes Sakura settles in a chair across from him.
“If that includes me going back to being a dithering, drooling fangirl, you’re an idiot. That didn’t work the first time and it won’t work this time. I don’t think I could catch Sasuke’s interest if I stood in front of him naked. Even if he is straight, that whole fangirl bit completely turned him off from me. You were stupid to suggest I follow that whore Ino’s example,” she scathingly spits.
“That course only failed because you went overboard. I told you to follow her example. That did not mean copy her every move to the letter.”
Jumping to her feet in outrage, knocking over her chair in the process, she shouts at the bandaged man.
“I fucking did my part! I followed your orders! You said if I followed the blonde tramp I’d learn everything I needed to know about seducing the opposite sex! So how the fuck would I know not to follow her every move! It’s not my fault!”
Sakura slams her fist down on the desk hard enough to cause the items on top to bounce before toppling over.
Leaning back in his chair, Danzo calmly watches a heavily breathing, seething Sakura glare hatefully at him. Giving her a few minutes to calm down a little, he waits until he sees her eyes narrow slightly, showing she’s no longer caught up in her rage filled haze.
“Agreed,” he concedes with a slight nod. “You did a good job emulating the Yamanaka girl. Unfortunately, besides you, I have very few kunoichi in ROOT. Most females are too weak for the training and do not take to the program very well and as a result had no one to properly train in you the art of seduction. I must also acknowledge that Sasuke did not share many of the same interests as his peers, which hindered the process further.”
Knowing that is as close to an apology she’d get, Sakura huffs in annoyance before picking up the chair and sitting down again.
“I understand you got to visit with Sasuke earlier, what can you tell me?”
“Not much,” Sakura rolls her eyes. “I knew something was going on when ANBU activity spiked drastically in the village then heard a couple jounin whispering about Sasuke’s capture before they wised up and shut their mouths. Then I raced over to the tower as soon as I could to see what Tsunade-bitch or Shizune-nag could tell me. I lucked out Kakashi and Naruto was there, played my cards right and got to go with them to see Sasuke in the secured ward.”
Pausing, she stretches in her chair before continuing.
“If the Uchiha fag spills his guts he’ll be on six months probation with round the clock surveillance, busted down to genin with a chance of testing for chuunin in five months. If he behaves he’s back in for good. What got him to surrender was Naruto’s promise to investigate the Uchiha massacre and Tsunade put her and that other drip Kakashi in charge of it.”
Sticking a finger in her ear, she wiggles it while finishing her explanation.
“While the old bitch was verbally sparring with the monosyllabic poster child for brooding spoiled brats, I thought it’d be a good idea to try reconnecting with Kakashi and Naruto. Since the drunken whore refuses to allow me to help in the investigation despite my superb research skills citing my advance training and some other bullshit, so I need some way to keep track of things to see what they uncover.”
“Good call,” Danzo nods approvingly. “Although Sai is still a part of their team, they would not share much regarding their research with him, whereas they’re more likely to share any new developments with you.”
“Yeah, I figured it was time to “apologize” for dropping them. Laid it on nice and thick too, playing off the whole ‘I believed I was too weak to keep up again’ crap,” she mocks. “They bought it hook, line and sinker.”
“Do not get cocky,” he warns. “You avoided them for years. It will take time for them to fully accept you again.”
“I know!” she snaps. Rolling her eyes in annoyance she continues. “But they’re such saps for protecting those weaker than them, it was the only thing I could think of to explain why I abandoned them. I couldn’t exactly admit with Sasuke gone my mission for you was over and I didn’t want to stick around anymore pretending to be their friend. So far it seems to be working,” she shrugs.
Danzo remains in quiet contemplation for several minutes.
“Here are your new orders. Do what you can to get close to the Uchiha again, at least as a friend. If the opportunity presents itself, you are also to kill the demon vessel.”
Surprised, Sakura arches a brow.
“We’re going after the baka? Why when we’ve left her alone all this time?”
“She has grown strong as I suspected she would,” Danzo explains. “Unfortunately, she has been thoroughly poisoned by Sarutobi’s teachings and there is no hope of recruiting her for ROOT anymore. I would have liked to have you recruit her when you were children, but I wanted you to focus on seducing Sasuke. There is no changing that now, but she is a potential obstacle. Try making her demise look like an accident without any connection to yourself or ROOT. Sai will be your backup. He will remain in the shadows waiting to take advantage of any opportunity as well. Get what information you can and continue monitoring the situation.” When Sakura nods in acceptance, he continues. “I also think it is time you get a boyfriend.”
Green eyes narrow dangerously as Sakura tilts her head down, giving him a glare that clearly asks, ‘are you kidding me?’
“There is a young man recently promoted to chuunin who has started working in the Mission Room,” Danzo explains, ignoring her glare. “The Mission Room is an excellent location to pick up stray bits of valuable information, regardless of how classified it is. As your boyfriend, he would not think twice about repeating what he has heard. He might tell you things Tsunade does not share with you.”
With an annoyed groan Sakura rolls her eyes.
“So, I’ve basically got to deflower another virgin so we can share pillow talk about his day? Sheesh. Alright, I’ll hook up with him. He might be good for an alibi or two if I need it later.”
Danzo nods in approval.
“The young man is naïve enough to be easily manipulated. He should be a useful tool. He is also another means by which to hone your seduction skills. You need to develop more variety in order to adapt to different men and their individual needs. There is no better way than practical experience even if it is with a young man wet behind the ears in the romance department. It will also serve to lower Sasuke’s guard around you. He will not think you still chase him, giving you the chance to gain his friendship.”
Sakura smiles sweetly as she rises from her chair and comes around the desk to sit on Danzo’s lap.
“I thought my seduction skills were up to snuff already,” she leans in close to whisper seductively while caressing his face.
“That is a skill that must be constantly cultivated,” he admonishes, raising his left hand to point in her face for emphasis.
Holding his gaze she gently grabs his wrist, slowly taking his finger into her mouth and sucking on it. Releasing it, she gently massages his wrist.
“I have some time to practice right now if you’d like.”
Danzo’s only answer is a leer.
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Underneath The Leaves