Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

When Mercury Mixes With Jade	By : elaynabrooks Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1294 -:- 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
- 8
- 9
- 10
Hey guys, it's been a while. If you chew me out, it's completely warranted, and I won't complain. But I will tell you before I give up on a story before it happens, and I'm sorry if I've dashed some of your hopes for a while. But I'm back, and I'm taking this story on a small twist from what I originally planned before so it's more 'narutoesque' and less boring and cookie cutter.
I use a lot of pauses in this story...in all my stories, really. No one ever speaks in complete and full sentences without pausing all the time. So if you don't like it, tough. There will be swearing. Be warned.

I dedicate this chapter to all of my loyal fans who never gave up on me. This one's for you, guys.

~Kiyasume~

A deep, dark night sky, littered with thousands upon thousands of glittering stars fell over the peaceful Aburame compound. The moon shone brightly, it's sharply full roundness splashing accents of silver upon everything it's light touches. The light enters the room silently, shadows cast where the light cannot hit.

Pale arms, even paler in the silvery light, wrap around drawn in pale legs. Pale hair, made even paler in the light of the moon, covers the face hidden behind the drawn in legs. Shoulders shaking, the arms wrap around the legs tighter, the face buried even deeper. Silver tears flow down the legs, cooling the skin they travel across.

He was leaving. Again.

She told herself she wouldn't cry this time, that now that she was older and could understand the significance of his departure, and that he would be coming back sooner than he had before...that there was no reason to cry. It was just training. He would be back in one year, more than enough time to finish her own apprenticeship under Tsunade...and perhaps gain a little more respect under the eyes of her peers. It wasn't hard to notice that her odd behavior before Sasuke left left things to be desired when it came to the relationships with her fellow shinobi.

But then she was reminded of the time wasted between the two of them. All of those days they could have spent together...all of her lonely nights where she wished there was someone she could talk to. She didn't like gossip, so Ino was a resounding no. Tenten only wanted to talk about weapons. While Sakura knew every weapon, and it's use, she just didn't find it appealing. Ino was too girly, and Tenten too boyish. Hinata was her best bet, and while the docile Hyuuga heiress was becoming less and less bashful and more willful, she wasn't yet at the point where she could speak without any social filters.

She wanted to argue in her head that it didn't seem fair, but she knew better than to complain to the universe. Shinobi life was anything but fair. Tsunade often griped about how she wasn't getting paid nearly enough to deal with even half of what she'd dealt with; every ninja had horror stories, it was inevitable.

She unfolded her knees from her face, wiping her face clear. He was leaving at midnight; the traveling would go much smoother during the earliest of the morning hours. She could not sleep. Perhaps seeing him off would be best for her mind.

She slipped on her nin sandals, and leaped out of her window, executing a free-fall flip silently onto the ground. She walked to her favorite bridge...the one connecting a large forest to the Aburame dojo on the east end of the compound, which overlooked the valley the rest of the members lived in.

She had only been here for two weeks, but she felt as though she knew the entire compound like the back of her hand. This particular bridge was her favorite because of it's surroundings. It was built directly over the precipice of a waterfall where a small clean lake waited to receive the water at the bottom. As usual, Shino's aesthetics were spot on, and he planted beautiful floral arrangements around the water's edge.

Sakura had to remind herself that Shino wasn't Sasuke. He wouldn't leave her alone and cold on a bench in the middle of the night to avenge a clan that, by all accounts, needed to be dealt with in the first place. It was an unconventional and cruel way the elders handled it, but what was done was done. She knew that it was for the best he left anyway. It proved to her that he could not be the man she wanted, and that she'd been deluding herself for thinking of him in such a manner.

While Shino and Sasuke shared the silent and stoic sort of attitude, Sasuke was whiny and petulant about his manners, while Shino seemed to genuinely be quiet and contemplative about his actions. While it was sometimes hard to read him, Sakura knew Shino would never be cold to her. She absently fingered the necklace her father had given to her on her graduation day at the academy. It was a sakura petal, delicately made from pale pink colored glass, and attached to a thin leather cord that stopped right between her breasts. As she played with it, she came to a decision. She sighed lightly, looking up into the dark night.

Warm hands trailed down her shoulders and arms, softly entwining fingers with hers. Her eyes closed after tensing for a moment...she knew his scent anywhere...freshly cut cedar, with hints of spicy, honeyed cinnamon. She could feel his breath ghosting over her right ear, his hands bringing hers up to wrap around herself. She wished he didn't have to go, that they could just stay like this for a while. But she knew the faster she let him go, the sooner he could return.

She opened her eyes, turning around in his grasp after letting his fingers go. She could feel his warmth strongly; he only wore a mesh shirt underneath his coats, and he had them open just so she could hug him properly. She buried her nose in his clavicle. She laughed on the inside. He'd always been so much taller than her...even as children.

He must have been thinking the same thing, because he pulled her up in his arms so she could bury her nose behind his ear instead, her legs dangling a good six inches from the ground. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and he pulled his shades up so she could see the longing in his eyes. He sat her on the arm of the bridge, stepping closer into her personal bubble. She didn't mind though. It gave her the freedom to speak to him without hurting her neck .

“Shino...” Sakura could barely speak above a whisper...as though he would run away if any louder. He understood her hesitance...it was reciprocated. He sighed in mild frustration.

“It seems that the fates are against us. I have to leave you for an entire year.” His eyes closed, his forehead brushing against hers lovingly. Her hands cupped his face, her thumbs brushing over his temples. He opened his eyes, his swirling silver and her verdant emeralds muted by the darkness, staring into each other.

“I didn't want to leave you then, and I don't want to leave you now. But just like back then, I realize I have to go, in order to become stronger...for you...for my family. For Konoha.” His eyes closed again, and she hummed quietly, remembering their words spoken long ago.

“I remember saying that I could not fault you for it, as it is our duty as shinobi to become stronger. Rest assured, I will be doing training of my own while you are away. I'll work hard, and make you proud. All of you. I'm tired of being the weakest link. I'll find a way. It's all I can do.” She pulled back from his embrace, to undo the necklace around her neck. She clasped it around his neck, it falling just below his collar bone. She sat back, and admired it around his neck, adjusting it so it centered correctly. She looked up into his eyes.

“I received this necklace upon graduating from the academy from my parents. It means a lot to me...and I want you to have it. It's seen me through my success, and I want it to see you through yours. A little piece of me will always be with you, no matter where you go.” Her eyes began to tear...she knew their time was drawing to a close.

“Come back soon, Shino-kun. We'll have a lot of catching up to do when you do.” She couldn't keep the tears from falling now. Shino cupped her face, and drew her lips in for their second kiss.

He crushed her body against his possessively, his smooth, bare fingers traveling under her shirt, and up her back. She was enveloped completely in everything that was Shino, and she couldn't think at all...she could only feel. His hand traveled down her back again, and lustfully groped her ass, pulling her towards the bulge she knew was going to be there. It made her feel giddy, to know that a man like Shino, who was cool and unshakeable at best, could be so uninhibited around her...and not give a damn who could be watching. He broke the kiss, his voice deep and grating. His eyes burned with lust, his eyes a silver fire, seeming to penetrate to her soul.

“I have to go soon, but that doesn't mean I can't leave you with something to remember in these long months away from me...” He wrapped her arms around his neck as he kissed her again, slipping his hand softly down the front of her black shorts. She gasped in his mouth as he skillfully found her clit, and began to rub slow circles, his other hand sliding up the front of her shirt to cup an unbound breast, rolling and pinching the nipple in his fingers.

Sakura held on for dear life, moaning deeply into Shino's mouth as his fingers moved faster and harder against her body. Her lips brushed against his hair as his lips traced a hot path up her jaw, and nipped at her ear, kissing below it.

“Shino-kun...” she breathed. She was almost sure that he did not have any previous experience before her...how did he know where to touch her to drive her nuts?

He let go of the nipple he was suckling with a soft pop. His breath was hot against her wet skin and it made her shiver. She was close, he could tell. Her breath began to hitch quietly, and he could feel her legs shaking against his hips.

“Sakura-chan...come for me.” His voice was thick with longing in her ear. She shuddered violently, grinding her hips into his hand as she let out a high pitched whimper into the night, her eyes squeezed shut, her eyebrows knit with relief. She went to reach for him, to return the favor, but he caught her hand, and placed it over his heart.

“Gotta go, Sakura-chan. I'm leaving Butch and Killer with you, so I know you'll be fine.” he quickly kissed her once more, flashing a rare grin as he licked the fingers that were enveloped in her folds, disappearing in a shower of leaves. Sakura sank to her knees, staring at the polished wood of the bridge floor. She felt two bugs nestle lovingly in her hair, humming a soothing tune. She knew they were somewhat intelligent, so she didn't mind talking to them. Of course, they could not answer her, but they seemed to be in tune with her feelings, and followed basic orders. So when she curled into a ball on the bridge, crying her eyes out, they tried to comfort her as best as two little bugs could.

This was how Kiba found her, sitting on the bridge, her knees pulled up to her chest, rocking back and forth, crying so hard it had to be giving her a headache. He made noise as he walked up so Sakura wouldn't kill him for sneaking up on her. She looked up slowly, and the look in her eyes tugged at his heartstrings a bit. He knew this feeling...being ripped away from the clutches of someone you love.

“Come on, Sakura-chan. I think it's best if we take a walk. He left a couple of things for me to give to you, so I think you'll want to come with me.” She stood gingerly on her feet, wiping the tears from her eyes, a couple of silent hiccups leaving her throat. She didn't speak. She didn't want to. And Kiba was okay with that. If it would help her get past the separation again, then he would allow her this silence without questions.

He jumped up into Shino's bedroom window, and led her to the dresser that sat across from his bed. There was a small gold and pink scroll tied with gold braided silk, a small pink and green wrapped gift with a small scroll attached, and another plain scroll. Kiba gave her the plain scroll first, and she opened it to see Shino's elegantly tidy handwriting.

Sakura-chan,

I know I've said it already, but I don't want to leave you. I'm doing this purely for duty, and to become stronger, so that I can be someone that your eyes fall fondly upon. Kiba is probably squirming impatiently across from you, waiting for you to finish this scroll. When he gives you the pink scroll, please go to the place where the fireflies dwell. When you open the scroll, do not be alarmed. It is a mild genjutsu that you can easily break out of if you wish. But it's my hope that you won't.

I put this together to explain some of my thoughts, and perhaps to give you some insight. I know I'm not the most emotional male, and I hope to never disappoint you, and give you the all the attention you deserve.

I know it's kind of soon to say, but I've never been so sure of anything else in my life.

I love you, Sakura. I may be away from you, but I will come back.

-Shino-

Sakura smiled as she looked back up at Kiba. Shino knew his friend better than anyone else, because he was indeed fidgety, and looked like he wanted to move around. She rolled up the scroll, and set it on the dresser. Kiba noticed and handed her the pink wrapped gift with green ribbon.

“Did he instruct me to open this before I get the other scroll?” Kiba shook his head.

“He just told me to give it to you. I suppose you can open it on your own time. But he did tell me that you are to head directly to where he instructed you to go once I gave you the pink scroll, and you are not to open it until you are seated in the secret place.” He handed her the scroll, and smiled heartily at Sakura.

“Sakura-chan, please give Shino a chance. He's a really cool guy, and he's been alone for as long as I can remember. Girls just don't give him the time of day because of those bugs.” Sakura nodded, smiling demurely.

“Of course I will. And honestly, if they can't recognize how awesome Shino is, that means there's more for me. Not that I'd share....” Kiba cackled and jumped out the window backwards, giving his famous mock salute.

“See ya later, Sakura-chan! This year'll pass so quick you'll wonder where it went!” She watched him speed off into the night. She looked at the scroll in her hand. She placed the gift on his bed, and jumped out of the window, remembering vaguely where Shino showed her all the fireflies so long ago.

Hinata blushed as Kiba retold the events up until his departure yesterday night. It seemed that Shino had extremely amorous feelings for Konoha's pink haired spitfire.
According to Kiba, Shino thoroughly ravished her before leaving her sitting there. But it didn't seem like something Shino would do...

“Are you sure, Kiba-kun? It sounds so out of character for Shino-kun...” Kiba rolled his eyes, and continued to persuade his teammate. He jabbed a thumb at his nose, Akamaru looking up at his master curiously.

“This nose doesn't lie, Hinata. Sakura was covered in her own sexual scent, and Shino's scent was all over her. He clearly fingered her before he left!” Hinata blushed even deeper. She supposed there was no hiding something like that...even without Kiba's canine nose, it would be easy to scent something like that.

“I'm glad that Sakura and Shino found each other. Shino has always been lonely...even though we were friends with him. I didn't want to fawn all over Naruto-kun and make it seem like I was throwing it in Shino-kun's face. He never talks about it, but it doesn't take my Byakugan to see something as obvious as that.” Kiba nodded wholeheartedly as Hinata sighed, immersed in making raspberry tarts.

“Well, Sakura-chan has been through her own hardships. After that asshole Uchiha left, she was afraid to get close to any male beyond a distant friendship. It took her years to get over that, and Shino leaving like this again can't look too good according to Sakura, even if she knows that he's coming back.” Kiba dipped a finger in the empty chocolate batter bowl for the chocolate torte she was making for the display out front. Hinata giggled as he hummed his pleasure. Shino and Kiba loved sweets more than any girls she knew.

She remembered when she had a breakdown over Naruto, and Shino and Kiba sat with her on Kiba's fluffy sofa eating pints of their favorite ice creams, and giving some manly insight to make her feel better. She knew Shino was easygoing, but she had no idea how much until he allowed her to paint his toenails black. Kiba wanted to snicker, but Shino insisted that if it made her feel better, then he would allow it. Hinata smiled fondly at the memory. She just knew Shino was going to spoil Sakura senseless when he came back from his training. She wondered how he was faring through all of this mess.

“He must be missing her just as badly. I imagine the reunion will be the stuff legends are made of.” Kiba laughed, putting an arm around the pearly eyed Hyuuga heiress.

“He's gotta be missing her. Apparently they've been friends even before you or I was on a team with him. He wouldn't give me any fine details, but his training is going to be dangerous. No doubt he's told Sakura about it. She'd skin him alive if he ever withheld information from her just to 'keep her from worrying'. Though it was probably a good idea to tell her after he'd already left...he might die during the training, and his survival decreases if he even thinks someone is worried about him in the least. It sounds cold, but we couldn't do that to him.”

“Well, he's gone for now. How is Sakura-chan faring?”

“Y'know, I don't know. Perhaps I should go check on her...after all, she's my best friend's girl. Need to keep an eye out so there's one less thing Shino needs to worry about. I'll be back later, and you can tell me all about Naruto.” Kiba laughed as Hinata blushed even redder, how she was able to was anyone's guess. He poofed out of the bakery, intent on finding one pepto-pink kunoichi, and seeing if she wanted to go train with him.

Sakura sat in front of her shishou, knowing that today was the beginning of her intensive training to succeed Tsunade in power and title. Sakura was not looking forward to the day when she had to pass on the mantle. She rather liked the idea of being powerful so no one could call her a weakling anymore. Tsunade would still be a force to be reckoned with even though she would no longer be the Slug Princess.

“Sakura, starting today, you will learn to tap into your kekkeigenkai.” Sakura sat there shocked as Tsunade piled six scrolls with the Haruno family seal on them in front of her. All of these held family names on them. She'd never met any of her extended family, because they were all killed in battle. She was the only living Haruno left. She was surprised to see her name among the six scrolls, each a different color.

She unraveled the first in the pile...the eldest of all of the scrolls, the one about her great-grandmother, Haruno Ume. Tsunade spoke as Sakura went over the fine details about her great grandmother. There was even a drawing of her in the scroll...back then, photographs did not exist. She had long wavy lavender and pink hair down to her waist, her eyes a darker royal purple. She was reminded painfully of Tsunade in this picture as Ume had an upside-down triangle on her forehead in a cerulean blue, and had a rather imposing chest like Tsunade.

“She was able to control the weather around her. In her prime, she could control up to one kilometer's radius. Took massive amounts of chakra. Was friends with Suna's ancestors, as she came in handy to refill the dry wells, and water crops if there was a dry season. She also harnessed the legendary water dragon, Koh-Ori. She was my mentor about fifty years ago, shortly before she died. She did not have any daughters, but she did have two sons.” Tsunade pointed to a peach colored scroll.

Sakura tied up Ume's scroll, and opened the one about her grandfather, Haruno Momoro. There was a very old photograph of a beautifully handsome man who smiled prettily for the photo. He may have been male, but there was something decidedly feminine about him. He had long pin-straight black hair to his knees, bangs framing his forehead and the sides of his face, like a heian noblewoman. His eyes were the same color as Sakura's hair, and were framed by long lashes. That was the extent of his beauty however, because he was quite muscular, and tall.

“Momoro had a mixture of wind and water chakra, so he easily made weapons out of ice. As long as there was moisture in the air, he had an endless supply of ammo, since he wasted little chakra in their creation. He was defeated shortly after Kisetsu's birth. He knew his body held valuable information to the Mist, who was our enemy at the time, so he blew himself up. Your grandmother went into seclusion after this, to raise your father and your aunt. She may still be alive, but it's been thirty years since I've seen her. I have no idea where to even begin looking.” Sakura shrugged. The woman was dead to her as far as she knew. She was just another name in her family line. She was used to the devastating lack of relatives.

“I'm fairly sure you've never even heard of your great uncle, as he had no wife or children, and decided to do reconnaissance for Konoha, and was probably one of the best medic ninja of all time.” Sakura was handed a red scroll this time, and opened it to see a nerdy, frail looking man...she was reminded of Kabuto a little, except his hair was short and windblown, a large careless cowlick blasting thorough the unruly pink hair of her great-uncle. He had black fashionable oval glasses, his jade eyes calculating behind them. He was willowy and lithe like Kakashi-sensei, but he was short for a male...probably only reaching Sakura's current height. He was still pretty, just like his brother.

'Hmm...my grandfather and great-uncle are as different as night and day...I wonder how much different things would be if I were born on the other side of the family?' Sakura was snapped out of her idle musings by Tsunade's voice again.

“Haruno Ringo, the man with the hands of Kami. It was said he could kill with his bare hands as fast and as well as he could heal...effectively giving him his namesake. He could give you your life back or take it away so brutally. Speculation goes that he never started a family because he did not want his enemies to have any leverage over him. He was always polite, even to his enemies, and quite literally looked unassuming. His special technique was to use water to further enhance his healing ability. It was said he could heal 50 fallen soldiers at once with his healing rain as long as they were still alive. There were countless wars in the past, some of them countries wide, some of them over the territories as Konoha began to expand. He was sometimes the sole medic for an entire army. Rumors have it he died trying to heal the Nidaime.”

Sakura saw a pink scroll, a green scroll, and a yellow one still sitting on the desk. She picked up the yellow one, and opened it to see a picture of her father when he was younger. Sakura smiled. He looked kind of cool sitting there with his teammates...one of which was clearly a Hyuuga. He had short black hair and those infamous pearly white eyes. He looked happy though, which threw her off. A lot of the Hyuuga family was famous not only for their Byakugan, and their pearly eyes, but their stick-up-the-ass attitudes and their often sour demeanor. The female in the group looked like an Inuzuka...she'd have to ask Kiba if he knew who this particular woman was later.

“I'm sorry Sakura.”

Sakura looked up in shock to see Tsunade chug a whole bottle of sake. Her eyes shone with remorse. Sakura shook her head, smiling. She sat on the desk across from Tsunade, and enveloped her mother figure in a hug. Tsunade gratefully accepted the affection, happy that Sakura did not blame her.

“Tsunade-shishou, if you had known that they would willingly go to their own deaths like that, you would have never sent them on that mission in the first place.” Tsunade looked relieved. Apparently she believed that Sakura held blame in her for it, but it wasn't the case. Sakura's eyes flashed a darker, sinister green.

“Besides, let's look at the silver lining. If this is a nukenin we're dealing with, then we can ask for Grass's assistance in eradicating this sorry excuse of a male. We are still technically allied with Grass, and in order to avoid another war, they'll gladly help with locating this male. If he is not a nukenin, this will be a breech of treaty, and we could turn things to our favor with the negotiations we've been trying to come to for the last five years.” Tsunade looked impressed. But then again, Sakura wasn't at the top of her class for nothing. When it came to brain power, Sakura would be in the running for Hokage, but since she did not want the position, it was merely speculation.

She'd still be in the council when she turned eighteen since she was the last Haruno, so her opinions would still hold some weight when the time came. Tsunade was not worried about the future of Konoha at all. With Sakura, Neji, Shino, and Shikamaru becoming the minds of Konoha's brilliance, she was sure everything would work out just fine.

Sakura picked up the green scroll, and was shocked to see a slightly older and rocked out version of herself. It was her aunt Suika, sticking her tongue out for the photo, and making a rude gesture for the camera. There were other pictures as well, because this scroll was more recent. She had a pierced lip and eyebrow, and wore dark eyeliner and pink mascara. Her hair was in a layered pixie style, but she had the same face.

“Your aunt Suika was a wild card for sure. She loved her Konoha more than anything else, and she often talked about the village as though it were her boyfriend. She was sort of a prankster like Naruto, but when she got serious, she often had the cool attitude of Neji in battle. She was very colorful, and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. She took out an entire base with her explosives; she often made bombs and created different assortments just for the hell of it. The only one who could tame her wild streaks was Shibi, but...I guess they had an argument before she went on her last mission. It was ranked SS class, which is basically suicide, the survival rate of a mission of that aptitude was often less than 7%.” Tsunade shook her head at the antics of Konoha's pink hellcat.

“We're not sure if she even died...there were no exploding tags on her body; she was sure she'd make it out alive. It's been eighteen years since her 'death' so I'm almost positive she won't be making any appearances. But just in case she did, we've filed her away as 'MIA', and not as a nukenin. She saved us from a war...if she has no ill intentions towards Fire Country or any of it's allies, then I'll gladly give her a pardon. It would be like her to show up two decades later though...troublesome woman.” There was no actual scorn in Tsunade's voice as she spoke about Suika...only affection.

Tsunade picked up the last scroll, and opened it. There was a picture of baby Sakura, playing happily with some ice leaves that she subconsciously created. Sakura's brows furrowed. She knew the scroll had to be about her, but the picture confused her. Why didn't her parents tell her she possessed a kekkeigenkai? Perhaps certain dark eyed emo-jerks would have acknowledged her power.

“I know that look. You feel almost betrayed. Something that you probably did not know about your clan was that you did not begin your training for your bloodline limits until the age of 16, whether male or female. This is probably the reason for your clan dying out and not having a chance to grow properly. A lot of ninja do not make it to this age unfortunately, and the ones who do in this case are often captured or killed to learn of their secrets. Your parents probably did not want to teach you about your power. It does seem to be cursed, if you think about it in a morbid sense.” Tsunade stood from her chair, a slight wobble in her step. She was drunk. She turned to look out of her office windows of the Konoha skyline.

“While your bloodline limit is fairly mediocre when it comes to actual combat, in the medical field it 's quite a treasure. Your great-uncle Ringo was often targeted. A powerful ninja is something to be feared...but can be beaten. But with medical ninja like Ringo on their side, it becomes that much harder to be defeated. That's why medic ninja are often targeted first. Take out the ones that can heal, and you've severely crippled your opponent's chances of victory.” Tsunade rolled up all of the scrolls once more and placed them in a steel box, slapping a locking seal on top. She shook her head absently, a smirk creeping over her features.

“Now, Sakura. Starting today, these next couple of months will be the hardest part of your training. You are to go to the world of the summons, and go see the slugs. The Haruno family is well known to the Empress Slug. She will help you unlock your powers by your 16^th birthday. We will continue training together after you return. Bring loose-fitting pants and shirts. Everything else will be provided. Meet me at the gates in one hour.” Sakura nodded and shot out of Tsunade's office window, stepping off of the buildings with chakra enhanced haste.

Kiba landed in Shino's room to see Sakura sitting on his bed, finishing her packing for her training in the world of the slugs. Her hand was poised in midair of dropping in an article of clothing, her face blank, eyes staring off in a direction and place Kiba did not know of. She blinked a few moments after that, her hands going on auto to pack the few remaining things into her bag. She still looked fairly deep in thought, but he knew that she knew he was standing there.

When everything was packed away, and things were where they should be, Sakura looked over at Kiba, smiling. It didn't quite reach her eyes, but it didn't look as though she were faking it.

“I remember when Naruto went on his trip with Jiraiya-sennin, and he told me about his adventures when he came home. This place I'm going to...it sounds a lot like Naruto's adventure, but it's kind of different too. I wonder...” she trailed off, wringing her hands in her lap distractedly. She looked back up at Kiba, and he was surprised at the hopeful look in her eyes. He kept her gaze, his eyes begging her to finish her thought. She smiled again, although this time, it was a little sad.

“Do you think I'll be stronger when I come back? Will I be able to walk with the rest of you side by side, instead of always looking at your backs?” Her voice was small by the time she finished...small and unsure. Kiba wanted to flip a table. That fucking Uchiha probably had something to do with her train of thought...it would be just like him to cause chaos and disorder even when his sorry ass wasn't around. He sat across from her, and took her shoulders in his hands. He shook her slightly, causing her to look up at him in worry, shock across her face at the unadulterated fury that caused the light in his dark eyes to spin akin to a hurricane.

“Sakura, I'm only going to say this once, so listen clearly. You are not worthless, and never have you ever been worthless. We were all weak at some point. Some of us have the talent to learn and get stronger quickly...other times, the opportunities haven't showed themselves yet. How were we to know that your hands are better at mending flesh instead of tearing it? Anyone can throw a kunai, or mold chakra for ninjutsu. It takes a practiced hand and natural ability to be as scarily efficient and delicate with the healing arts...it's not something most of the rest of us you seem to be looking on from behind us can do. We're trailing behind you and struggling to keep up in that regard.” Kiba looked down awkwardly, and took his hands off her shoulders as though they burned him. He scratched the back of his head, looking over at her imploringly.

“We need you, Sakura. You're as much a part of Konoha's elite as the rest of us. We may be doing a lot of the fighting, but you protect and heal us when it's over...if I were lying on a battlefield dying, save for Lady Fifth, you're sure as hell the person I'd most want to see.” Sakura smiled, and it actually reached her eyes this time. She threw herself into Kiba's chest, and hugged him tightly.

“Oh, Kiba-kun....I really needed that.” She held back tears, and hiccuped slightly into his shoulder. “Shino-kun must really be rubbing off on you...”

Kiba blushed and looked away awkwardly. He was never really good with sensitive things like this. He looked down at her happy face, and decided he did well, and Shino would owe him one.

“Well, can't hang around bug-boy without catching some of his sensibilities, I guess. And you're his girl...as his best friend, when he's gone, I'm supposed to take care of you. Shino may not be here, but I am.” Sakura felt him ruffle her hair slightly, and she stuck out her tongue, a smile on her lips.

“I always thought you were okay, but now I know you're awesome. To be able to look past his family's technique, and see him for who he is anyway...you've got to be an incredible girl.” Sakura blushed lightly, and looked as though loving Shino wasn't some impossible, incredible feat.

“It's just kikai. They're cute...they almost look like ladybugs without the red shells. Plus they're extremely intelligent for being so small and hive-minded.” Sakura put a finger to her hair, and Kiba watched as two tiny bugs crawled onto her fingers, fluttering their wings softly in greeting.

“Butch and Killer here...they remind me all the time that Shino isn't far away, and I know it will get easier as the days roll on...every day that passes is one day sooner til his return. They seem to know when I miss him badly...they hum this soothing tune, and I either calm down or fall asleep. They are in tune with my emotions, and I think that's good, because Shino will always know how I'm feeling, even if I don't want to say anything.” She placed her finger back up to her hair, and the tiny terrors snuggled lovingly in the crown of her head.

“To be honest, Shino makes it very easy to love him. Even before I remembered of our friendship we had forged those years ago, I always thought that he was sweet in a shy, quiet kind of way...very attentive, and paid close attention to detail, observant, and highly tactful. I don't know what I was thinking by crushing on Sasuke...he was probably the worst, and I was a stupid little girl for falling for his pretty face. I never paid any attention to how dark his heart was becoming until it was too late. I was even stupid enough to want to go with him, so desperate for attention that I would betray my village for a boy...not even a man. A boy who did not even know the circumstances of his clan's demise...and didn't want to listen either.” Sakura shook her head, and slung her pack onto her shoulders. She checked the antique clock sitting on Shino's nightstand.

“I've got about ten minutes to reach the front gates.” She smiled, and hugged him again, and this time, he wrapped his arms around her tightly.

“Train well, Sakura. Don't worry about us back here, we'll be okay. If we absolutely must, we'll call you if we need you. Go meet Tsunade-sama at the gates. We'll be here when you come home.” Kiba watched as Sakura jumped out of his best friends' window, and before she hit the bottom, disappear in a shower of sakura petals.

“So she's gone too, isn't she?” Kiba was not surprised that Aibiko managed to sneak up on him. She'd always had that talent; it was why she was mainly called in for recon and assassinations.

“Yeah...she is. But it's easier to just let her go. If she understood the reasons for your family to leave for Grass Country, then we should understand that her training is important too.” Kiba turned to the older woman, who had a thoughtful look on her face. Kiba was curious.

“I swear that something very big is going to happen to Konoha soon, and I can't help but wonder if their friendship was the catalyst for it. I can't quite put my finger on how or when, but it's coming. I have the feeling it's something really good, but we're going to come through some bad times before we get there. It seems nothing extraordinary happens without something devastating happening before or after.” Aibiko slid the door open inviting Kiba into the rest of the house.

“Come on, dog-boy. Sakura made cookies before she left, and some of them have your name on them.” Kiba's ears perked up at the word 'cookies'....and they were Sakura's? Hell yeah! Aibiko laughed as he zeroed in on the kitchen. She had three sons, not two, she knew.

Sakura was quiet throughout the entire trip towards the land of the slugs. She couldn't shake the foreboding feeling she had as they jumped from tree branch to tree branch. She was excited, and her blood was pumping through her veins a little faster than normal.

They traveled for a couple of hours before they came to a valley with mountains in the background. Sakura never really traveled in the northern parts of Fire Country, but she was glad to know that this wonderful scene was a part of her homeland. Tsunade walked up to a circular set of stones that had runes on them, runes that looked as old as the rock they were carved into.

“Come and stand in the middle of the stones with me, Sakura.”

Sakura stood in the middle of the ring of stones, watching as her mentor's hand lit with green healing chakra. She walked around the stones, touching them in a specific but not easily recognizable order, each stone she touched lighting the rune in the middle the same green as her chakra.

When she touched the last stone, they all pulsed as one three times, and the green became more intense. Tsunade bit her thumb, and let a few drops of blood fall onto the stone in the middle of the circle. As soon as the third drop of blood fell, Sakura could feel her body becoming heavy, and her vision becoming blurry. She blinked a few times, and as her vision cleared, she realized she was in a different place.

She felt as if she were in rural China.

There were little huts everywhere, lining the base of a large mountain, where there were steps carved into the rock, long and winding, up to a large temple-like structure. Sakura was almost positive that the Empress Slug lived there. As they walked towards the steps, the Slug inhabitants stopped and bowed to Tsunade, paying their respects to her as the Slug Princess. There were also whispers in the background about the unusual colored kunoichi that followed behind her.

“Is that Tsunade's apprentice?”

“Perhaps her retainer? She's carrying all of the traveling gear...”

“No, I'm almost certain that the pink haired girl is her apprentice....”

“Such unusual hair...”

Sakura was used to all of the whispers and gossip. Her blank emerald eyes looked down at the hard packed dirt and cobblestone of the path that led to the Empress's residence. Perhaps she would dye her hair. It seemed to be causing her too much trouble lately. She was used to being labeled away from the crowd. No matter how much more powerful she became, it seemed like all of her peers were five steps ahead of her. Her hands tightened into fists, her knuckles cracking under the pressure.

Tsunade looked back at her student, whose eyes were empty, and staring at her feet, her hands balled into fists, ready to throw a chakra laced punch at something. Her eyes softened. It was almost identical to her stance when she came here over fifty years ago. She was much younger than her student was now at the time, but she understood all too well what ran through her mind when she stood in front of these steps all those years ago. Tsunade's eyes hardened.

She had felt weak. Useless. Tossed aside. But not anymore. Neither would Sakura have those cruel and torturous feelings anymore.

This was the place she gained her ridiculous strength, her healing expertise, and her confidence as the strongest woman on the planet. But Sakura would become greater than she ever could. Her kekkeigenkai would manifest itself completely on her sixteenth birthday...and she would be able to go through the crimson colored doors with a white circle on them at the back of the gardens when the time came...as was her right as the last Haruno.

Tsunade looked at Sakura again. Her eyes were cold hard emeralds, and she looked up at the temple, ready to take on the world, her hands still balled into fists. Tsunade smile wickedly.

Now....now the pose was identical.

Shibi and Shino walked quietly and deftly through the foliage, their bare skin glistening in the hot afternoon sun. They wore nothing but the skinned fur of the mountain lion they had the unfortunate timing to meet during their hunting escapade.

Shino looked at his father curiously. He had many tattoos riddling his body. He had an elegant tattoo around his upper left arm; this one symbolized his vow to love and cherish Aibiko until death...she had an identical one, but with her favorite flower entwined in ink in the same spot. Traditional Aburame wedding 'rings', of sorts. They wore the band, but sometimes missions required they take them off. This was a tradition that favored the Aburame's needs of loyalty and fidelity.

Shino's heart swelled with pride at the next tattoo he saw...the ANBU tattoo. His father was still in active duty, but Tsunade sent him on more specialized tasks...usually more dangerous. They were also fewer, so Shino wasn't worried about his father going anywhere anytime soon.

There were the eight stylized seals every Aburame had on their backs where the kikaichu came out in larger quantities. They could come out in smaller groups anywhere, but within battle, it was often reckless and painful to let them come out in that fashion, so long ago, this method was devised. The style of the seal depended on the inner nature of the person. Shibi's circular seals looked like torrents of water and fire collapsing in on each other, fighting eternally. Shino remembered seeing his for the first time. He was surprised to see that his were circles of thorns wrapped around shuriken, dangerously spinning.

But the tattoo he was most curious about was the prettiest and most delicate of them all. A thin circle within a circle housed a small, delicate rendering of a kikaichu. It almost looked like the clan seal, but it was a little off. Shino noticed all of his tattoos were in inconspicuous places. It then dawned on Shino that tattoos that were easily spotted were often listed in Bingo Books as part of a ninja's description. Shino loved tattoos. He was now old enough to get one on his own, and he wanted to procure one of his own choosing before the band on his upper left arm was put into place. He wasn't sure how Sakura felt about them, but he knew she would not refuse his mark if she agreed to marry him.

“Son.” Shibi stopped walking, and sat beneath the shade of a coniferous tree.

“Father.” replied Shino, more of a statement than acknowledgment or question. His uncovered silvery eyes met his father's own liquid mercury. He knelt carefully, his hands on his knees, his back ramrod straight and his gaze steady.

“You know that you will be in this wilderness for an entire year, correct? Wild animals, harsh weather, rogue ninja, and fatigue may plague you. Do you still wish to continue, knowing that your very life may be forfeit to those things that would cause you harm, whether it be nature or ninja?” Shino was sure Shibi was remembering these same words spoken to him several decades ago, shortly before his own succession to the title of Lord Aburame.

“Yes, father. Be it wind or rain, snow or hail, animal or ninja I will overcome. My mind is my strength, my kikaichu are my comrades, my body a tool for information and destruction.” Shino recited those words, knowing that his son or daughter would have to do the same years from now. Shibi smiled at the fierce determination in his son's eyes. He could only hope he was around long enough for Shino to tell him of his own son or daughter's determined and fierce face. It would make his chest swell with pride, he knew.

“Excellent. Let me relay to you the things you will be learning to do while out here for this entire year.” Shibi relaxed against the tree, surprised that Shino still sat so formally, waiting for him to tell of the things he must accomplish while out here for so long. He mentally shrugged. He knew his son had high respect for him, and he supposed he was beginning to learn the extent of it.

“Aburame are strong. We are loyal. We abhor things such as infidelity, lies to our comrades and loved ones, and lack of intelligence. You will one day marry a woman of your choosing. We are taught in the ways of survival. You will hunt, fish, gather, clean, cook, and provide everything for the two of us. I will assist you, and teach you, but eventually, you will do these things on your own, without my interference. I will spare you the visual, but the point of this is to be able to care for your wife in every way possible. She is important to you...important to this family. She will bear your offspring, and raise your successor to the title. She, by all accounts, must be cared for, honored, and loved until the day of her death, or until you are no longer able to, pending your own death. She will give you something precious from her own body, in return, you must provide for her endlessly, and tend to her needs.” Shibi smiled wanly, a soft light coming over his eyes.

“I remember when your mother carried you. I was a nervous little shit, running back and forth, tending to her off-the-wall cravings, her mood swings and her hellish death grip as she willed you into this world. It was more than worth it, and that woman never tires of my attentions, and she takes care of me in return---”

“Eww, dad. No. Just....no. Keep that bit to yourself.” Shibi laughed heartily, his deep warm tenor almost smiling with emotion.

“Shut up, kid. You're a pervert just like your old man. Don't think I couldn't smell what you did with Sakura-chan shortly before we departed.” Shino blushed as red as the color red could be described before it changed to purple. Shibi's chuckle came out as a short bark.

“That is another thing you will accomplish while out here. While we are still descendants of those who call themselves Hyuuga, and yet still cannot use the ancient kekkeigenkai Byakugan, we are still gifted with impeccable sight. But nature has seen fit for us to heighten our other senses to make up for the loss of such power. You hearing and smell will increase exponentially, your touch, and sense of taste may increase, though those are not as necessary for battle. In essence, you will become as aware of your surroundings and situations as a beast would be.” Shibi stood again, and scented the air. He smiled down at Shino, who was slightly confused at his actions.

“How do you feel about wild boar for dinner, son?” Shino did not have time to answer as he was forced to dash through the trees after his rapidly disappearing father.

“Sir. Reports have lost track of the direction of Haruno Sakura. Her chakra signal has disappeared from this realm. It is thought that the Hokage has set genjutsu traps so as to not find the exact location of her whereabouts.” an ANBU level ninja knelt before the dangerously handsome young man on the throne, his glasses flashing in disgust.

“It does not matter. Her power will manifest soon...I can almost taste the power she'll have.” An evil smirk graced his supple, shapely lips.

“Aburame males have been known to be emotionally stunted fools who believe that loyalty means something. I'll show that idiot Shino that all women care about is a lot of money, and a pretty face that makes them swoon as I snatch that pink haired goddess from beneath his nose so fast that he'll wonder where things went wrong.” A cruel, cold evil laugh escaped his lips, his eyes flashing blue slightly.

“Besides, even if she claims that she does not want money or a pretty face, I can give her what she desires most.” He flipped his hair over his shoulder, his subordinates gulping quietly. They never liked it when their boss was in a horrible mood. The young man's face twisted grotesquely, marring his natural beauty with a foundation of insanity.

“I can give my pretty little pink bitch all the power her mind could conceive.”

Yeah....so sorry about not posting in three years. I just couldn't get back into the groove of things, or I'd forgotten about it for a while. My writing style may have changed slightly, I'm not sure. I promised I wouldn't abandon this story, because I was self proclaimed 'Biggest Shino/Sakura fan. I'd like to think that statement is still true...at least to myself. I'll try to update as best as I can, but I seem to be getting busier and busier. *bows* Forgive this lowly servant of the art of fanfiction writing.
- 8
- 9
- 10
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

When Mercury Mixes With Jade