Faery Tale - Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter 27: Crossing the threshold



"Where do you want to start?" He asked hesitantly.


Sakura had given this a lot of thought over the last two days, she knew that Naruto would come back for a favor or two, or so Master Tsunade had predicted. Their suspicion that his visits will continue proved to be accurate.


"Tell me about the ANBU. How did they start?" she smoothed her skirt before sitting down. They were still in the library though the sun was setting and the light was growing dim in the cluttered room.


"It's a really long story and honestly we don't have time for it now," he finally put down the contract with resignation, signing it took at least an hour because he had to argue over every sentence, and Sakura had to firmly stand her ground otherwise he would have erased half of the contract.


She raised her head and opened her mouth to protest, "listen-"


"Please listen to me, I don't have much time and we have to do this before a catastrophe happens, you have to trust me on this Sakura," he pleaded and for the first time, she read sincerity in his eyes.


"Can you give me a brief history on the way then?"


"I guess," he nodded thoughtfully, "but you're gonna need a disguise,"


"What are you talking about?" Sakura inquired lightly, she did not know the extent of his knowledge about their "storage".


"Ino showed me the storage room some time ago, we just need an Uchiha servant uniform,"


"Alright, let's go, it's getting dark in here anyway, and I don't like having candles so close to the reports," she hesitated for a moment, "You know what? I'll get the disguises, you go to the kitchen and pack a light dinner,"


He grinned at the notion, Sakura reciprocated the same way. Aside from her intense hunger, she had private matters to settle.

---

Twenty minutes passed by the time she finished. She ran hastily down the stairs and rummaged through the stacks of disguises to find a suitable chamber maid uniform. There was no way Naruto would pass for an Uchiha guard with his bright colors, so he would sneak in as is. She then headed toward the main door and grabbed a sturdy winter coat. Her partner in crime was waiting outside underneath a clear but cold sky.


"Ready?" he smirked nervously; he was clearly trying to hide his impatience.


"Aren't you going to ask why I'm late?"


"Girl stuff: not my business, page 4 point 20," his grin was almost mocking and Sakura gave into the temptation by punching his shoulder.

They set off in the direction of the forest path that she now knew by heart, thanks to Itachi and Kakashi.


"Think it will snow tonight?" Naruto was the first to break the silence, he definitely hated staying quiet.


"No, it's not that cold yet," she replied, "Why are the ANBU so special? They are just like the army,"


He grimaced at the comparison, "Not quite, the army is an extended branch of us, Part of the Royal Guards too," he lowered his voice as a group of people approached; they were laborers from a construction guild nearby, going home after their work day ended. Naruto guided her to areas of low density, they were still at risk of being overheard, but this way was faster. The streets were small, dark, and pungent; but the promise of privacy was welcome.


"See all the functioning security in the Kingdom? Like the ones who are actually useful?"


"You mean anyone not corrupt is ANBU," she retorted.


"Well in a way, of course not all patrol guards are corrupt, but they're weak and barely worth their pay," he explained in a condescending tone, "they're not ANBU," he turned around a corner and scanner the area before gesturing her to move, "Look, I can't explain it, I only know this, when this Kingdom started, ANBU was there. We are at the heart of everything. Anything big or important, like war or rebellion or treaties, everything is done through the ANBU,"


"Like the shadow that's everywhere and manages everything," Sakura summarized.


"That's it!" Naruto agreed.


"How do you become one?"


"The higher-ups recruit from the outside sometimes, but it mostly runs in families," he stopped for a long time and she didn't think he would continue, "My dad was an important man in the ANBU," he added with a sad sigh.


"And your mom?" She said, adopting a sympathizing tone. Maybe she shouldn't pry so much, but knowledge was power, now more than ever.


"She wasn't ANBU, maybe if she lived longer," With that, the conversation was put to an abrupt end, putting a damper on Naruto's usually good mood. He was quiet all the way up the hill and into the forest, save for the few warnings to avoid tree roots and sharp rocks.


Sakura respected his boundaries; if he wanted to talk then he would do it on his own terms. And not surprisingly, when they reached the high walls of the Uchiha Estate, he turned around with a determined expression.


"Ok, we're almost there. The plan is simple; don't panic, here's what you have to do…"

---

After Naruto had explained the plan, she wondered if it would work at all. His idea would apply if things were normal. But tonight, there were fewer lights and more guards: Something was horribly off. They barely found a hidden corner the garden to hide in. Even then, it was dangerous to stay in one place. They did not split up, Naruto scouted the area and report back while she stood watch. His expression unnerved her, there was no trace of the usual empathy that accompanied the blonde, he was cold and detached, like Kakashi.


"Take this, use it only for emergencies and when they least expect it," he whispered as he handed her a long knife and a small pouch, "The powder will distract anyone it comes in contact with," then stood up and blended with darkness between shrubs, trees and other vegetation.


Sakura was still wearing dark civilian clothes. The only bright thing about her was her pale pink hair, which was safely hidden under a maid's cap. She did not leave the safe-house unprepared.


She waited for what seemed like an eternity, when the moon had passed its peak point, it was clear that Naruto was either caught or not coming back anytime soon. Even still, she waited patiently, and would have continued to do so had two guards not gotten too close for comfort. She held her breath while she moved to a different alcove near the shed. Guards passed there often, but they didn't inspect the shed area closely.


The loud crunch of earth under leather boots held her attention; the sound distracted some guards on patrol, and created enough commotion for her to adjust her sitting position without being caught.

At least ten guards moved to a certain spot beyond her line of sight, and others stared with strange intensity. After endless moments of agony, she saw a dark figure being carried carelessly and thrown on the ground with a loud thud, then another conscious figure was violently pushed to his knees, they were both surrounded by a ring of murderous looking Uchiha guards. The stench of blood was quickly spreading through the crisp night air.



Sakura edged as close as she could to the corner without being seen.



'Please let Naruto be safe,' she prayed silently.  


There was the sound of kicking followed by a crack and a muffled scream. The unconscious figure did not budge, he might have been dead for all she knew. His companion tried to resist, but it was futile. Sakura suppressed a nauseous reaction, and sat back.


"Move them inside, and make sure the younger one remains alive." A man's harsh voice reached her ears.


'Younger one?' A cold sweat broke along her back. This did not sound good.


She dared one last look when the men began to move, but was almost too late, the unmoving figure had disappeared with his captors inside while the companion was being shoved inside. He had medium length black hair spilled over his shoulder. She would have recognized that presence anywhere.


It was Itachi, and the unconscious one must be Sasuke.


'Oh, God,' Realization dawned on her, as well as a suffocating feeling of panic. This was not supposed to happen, Itachi and Sasuke were the Leader's sons, the Family guard was not supposed to touch them, let alone beat them to death.


Naruto where are you? She cursed, but soon after realized that it was herself she should be cursing. When Sakura was lost, her friends were out looking for her. They did not rest one moment. Now that she was in the same position, only reversed, she found herself waiting for someone to help. Sasuke and Itachi could be dying, and she was too cowardly to move.


'Damn it,' she cursed again as tears ran down her cheek, her hand shook so violently the knife almost fell down. It was now or never, be brave or be a coward.


'Damn you Sasuke, you owe me one,' she wiped the tears and slowly got up to her feet. She threw a rock two meters ahead, and counted the deathly minutes until a lone guard showed up. At least, if she died tonight, she would go down fighting for her friends.


Naruto said the powder would distract, and she trusted him. Once the target was in sight, she took a pinch of the pale red stuff and puffed at his direction. He started sneezing, and slowly kneeled over. Sakura slowly dragged the collapsed body to her hideout; he was miraculously quiet. She undressed him and used what pieces she could.


A maid would not be able to go inside, but a guard would. And a masked guard would be better. Once dressed, she moved to the entrance of the secret passages.