The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto nor benefit monetarily. No financial gain is made from writing or posting this fanfiction. They were all perfectly created by Masashi Kishimoto.

-Training Ground Seven-

-Training Ground Seven-

Gentle breeze carded invisible fingers through silken pink tresses. In warning air shifted, a delicate hand surrounded by fine wire infused mesh glove descended. Impact, the ground shook, groaned, than rumbled, parted in mourning. Sakura stood satisfied as testament to her strength a fissure appeared, mile long, ten feet wide stretched along the dense forest floor.

“Your muscle is impressive as always.” Dropping gracefully from her perch the Hyuuga heiress approached her fellow comrade.

“Same can be said of you, Hinata.” Turning Sakura regarded the other female. Gone were her days of stuttering, timid girl, the woman before her exuded confidence and strength.

“I have a proposition, the subject matter is rather sensitive and listening ears could prove problematic. My house is no better, may I suggest yours?”

“Sounds serious, my place is fine, parents will be out for a while, so we have time.”

“We should teleport less conspicuous.”

Swirling leaves and sakura petals created a vortex swallowing Hinata, as pink flames flared engulfing Sakura.

Narrowed scarlet orbs with golden hexes spinning lazily, scrutinized both kunochi’s, before disappearing behind a veil of burgundy flames.

-Haruno Household-

Crossing the threshold Hinata erected a silencing barrier. Slippers replaced sandals before either moved further inside admiring the warmth the small dwelling emitted, reminiscing about days of her childhood spent with her mother. Okaa-sans’ warmness filled their compound with joy, but once she died Hinata was left bereft, alone suffering Hirashi’s emotional evisceration.

Until the sun graced Konoha in human form.

She found joy again walking, breathing, rambunctious joy in Uzumaki Naruto. Than Uchiha Sasuke betrayed the sun invoking fury she suppressed savagely, beckoning rage to surface, strike him down extract his life for restitution, digressing, logic reigned absolute reeling in charged emotions threatening escape. Drawing in calming breaths she relented, salvation lied with Sakura’s assistance since the other understood Hinatas’ plight.

Their friendship was born of common ground rooted firm in love, hope, obsession with a pinch of insanity. Simple really, both related, loving men whom loved each-other. Naruto –kun loved her and Sasuke loved Sakura, illusions are grand, delusions are better. The time for sorting wild oats had passed, training commenced only power stroked the twos nin’s fire. It was high time both returned and claimed that love each left behind.

Unstable love existed, mentally created by a carefully woven genjutsu of each woman’s construction.

Sakura’s voiced drew the Hyuuga out of her memories, “Listening Hinata.”

“Proceeding with phase two, phase one is complete,” sipping lukewarm Jasmine tea she continued, “my dove summon will locate Sasuke, deliver Itachis’ cloak, he will heed my summon back to Konoha.”

“All of our planning finally pays off. It seems surreal, you are aware there is a low probability of failure since we are exploiting Sasuke-kun’s thirst for revenge, as a means to obtaining our hearts desire.”

“Fitting, Itachi should battle his younger sibling where he massacred the entire clan. Not to worry Sakura fates smiles upon their meeting.”

“Fate? You are beginning to sound like Neji.”

“My cousin has his finer points.”

Silence settled offering little comfort, gazing over Sakura’s shoulder Hinata watched sparrows soar through endless blue skies toward blaring gold.

“What if our plan fails Hinata? What if after all Sasuke and Naruto still choose not to be with us?” Her voice held an edge of dejection, anxiety laced words echoing preteen rejection and, she knew, Sakura knew losing him now would thrust her into a world anguish and hate.

“The plan will succeed Sakura.” Clasping her hands idly she spoke with such conviction, leaving one to wonder who needed convincing, never would she voice her doubts or the sinking feeling nestled tightly within the pit of her stomach.

-Hokage Tower-

“I am acutely aware of our villages impending war, as well as the Elder Council’s concern.” Pausing Tsunade eyes turned calculating pinning each elder with her chilling countenance. “However, we must remain steadfast enemies seek out weakness within defenses and, un-surety alike. There is hope question is will it be enough to starve off an ancient enemy who holds as much history with Konoha as the Shodamine himself.”
The council was edgy and Tsunade was stressed. She knew Naruto and Itachi would handle Sasuke and Madara, but Pein’s record of no defeats did little quelling her phantom fear.

“We are well aware Hokage-sama, but we must prepare for the worst. This village suffered a war under thirty years ago, recovered from the Kyuubi attack eighteen years ago, and have you forgotten Orochimaru’s little invasion resulting in the thirds death. We can not afford undergoing the same level of devastation and loss after that demons attack.”

She really hated this woman, maybe hitting all her nerve points rendering the wrinkled prude paralyzed for the rest of her natural life, would bring the Slug Sennin unmitigated joy. Che, Konoha’s law forbade the Hokage from performing any physical attacks against the council unless threatened and/or if said council member committed treason which, is punishable by death, damn these soul sucking rules.

“What are you suggesting a surrender before war ensues, that would be quite foolish.”

“Contrary to what you may believe I understand proper engagement in all things and war is no exception. I am merely stating that we should evacuate the village, and wait it out.”

Tsunade contained her laughter the little urchin wants to run and save her own hide. What happened to going down with ship? Guess she missed that bit of intel during the old coot’s inauguration. Gods, she wished Jariya was here to see this, but he always knew they were cowards. Konoha had to be evacuated within the next two months. She would send all genin’s, a few churnin, and two jornin to assist the civilians, leading them from the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

“I agree we will begin evacuations within two months. I will make an announcement tomorrow, allowing people time to prepare for departure.”

“Excellent. Until our next meeting, Hokage-sama.”

“Good evening Homura-san.”

A figure stepped from the shadows, approached Tsunade’s desk, awaiting further instruction. He always knew what to expect, but protocol reigned, steeped in tradition the young ninja waited patiently for his leaders orders.

“You really need to relax, kid you are too young for such seriousness.”

“A shinobi is alert at all times.” His voice was flat, his visage blank betraying no emotion, such a wonderful village tool. Konoha should be proud turning their most promising youth into mindless weapons before age ten.

“Report, Jun-kun,” She knew he disliked the honorific, but it was her way of maintaining his humanity, his innocence, losing all you know, never knowing the love of family can be quite isolating.

“Hinata-sama and Sakura-san are both meeting at the Hurano household. Discussing Itachi-sama, Naruto-sama, and Sasuke-san. Both believe their plans successful and moving forward with phase two.”

“Excellent, Jun-kun, remind Itachi to maintain that blood clone for another three months. Sakura and Hinata are proving unstable monitor both, note any and all patterns in behavior as well as activities. You will partner with Naoko, split shifts, but I prefer you on night shift you excel in shadowing and stealth. Report any extreme actions immediately,” gazing at Hokage monument her eyes settled on Shodai’s face, “dark times are ahead Jun-kun, visit your brother tonight.”

Bowing the younger shinobi vanished, leaving dark maroon wisps of smoke, paying tribute to his exit.

Tsunade turned, eyeing the spot Jun occupied; wondering what was this village worth it. Was it worth so many lives lost, lives destroyed before each an opportunity to experience all offered at birth. The right to happiness, and love? Opening her drawer removing a file marked Uchiha, Jun, she began reading. How many times had she read this file? Probably, as many times as Naruto’s.

Name: Uchiha Jun
Birthdate: June 9th
Mother: Uchiha Mikoto
Father: Uchiha Fukagu
Siblings: Uchiha Itachi (identical twin), Uchiha Sasuke younger brother
Rank: ANBU Black Ops

Special case taken into Namikaze Minato’s care until induction to Hokage. He was then placed into ANBU care at age five since the youth demonstrated advanced abilities far beyond genin.

Additonal information maintained in separate sealed scroll accessible by the Hokage.

Unfolding the next parchment, her eyes tearing, scanning words unseen only felt. Those words were etched into memory; she did not need to see them to know what was said.

Honorable Hokage,

I write this not as a missive, but from one human to another. The Uchiha Clan’s head’s rapt moral deterioration sickens me. I have been the guardian of Uchiha Jun since his birth. He has an identical brother, Itachi. The father believed that only one should survive since both would not be prodigies, taking a gamble he ordered the youngest to be exterminated. Mikoto was horrified, she did what any mother would have done, saved her child. Mikoto begged her closest relative to deliver the child to the Hokage. She would later explain circumstances surrounding the child’s welfare.

There are few things that incite fear in me, and witnessing any irate Sorotuba is one. He called me into his office late the next evening. I guess he felt secure in my abilities since Kakashi turned out fine.

Jun’s a naturally quiet child, pleasant, well mannered, and very obedient. He smiles often, loves to learn, falling into training easily. It’s the only thing that interests him besides story time, baths, and fishing. I wish Mikoto could see her son, she would be proud, only four, but impressive none the less.

I have completed Hokage training, Kushina is due in seven months. Strange Jun knew she was pregnant within two weeks of conception. I am not sure what his ability is, but he’s able to feel chakra signatures no matter how faint. He is very excited about the baby, he feels happy about having a sibling.

Unfortunately, the future does not bode well. I am not a seer, only instincts, they are screaming dark days ahead. If anything happens to me and Kushina, Jun’s to become a ward of ANBU Black Ops, Kakashi will become his guardian. He is young, but I have taught him responsibility, not to mention they have a good relationship. They will help one-another.

My little boy has just walked into the study with Kushina. I am sure you will be able to handle this endeavor if need arises.


In all sincerity,

Namikaze Minato

Closing the file Tsunade placed the dossier inside her hidden drawer, returning her gaze her eyes landed on the fourth’s face. She wondered how many more sacrifices will be made from his lineage.

“No more.” Was her sobbed whisper.

-Uchiha Compound-

Shadows loomed ominously throughout the Uchiha District. He never knew of his clan only what his older brother shared; he loved Itachi, his only family besides Sasuke, and his twisted ancestor Madara. Than there was Naruto, he watched and protected him from the shadows. However, Naruto’s not aware of his existence, as ordered by the third, he remains hidden, always watching his otouto.

Darting inside a smaller dwelling at the edge of the district, concentrating he opened the link, signaling Itachi to his presence.

“Otouto”

“Nii-san”

The younger attempted to bow, but Itachi stopped him, pulling his twin into a comforting hug. Jun hesitant, hugged back enjoying the warmth his elder sibling offered.

After embracing, both seated themselves discussing Jun’s discovery and, their plan of action. Itachi contemplated, considering each outcome, insane people were dangerous people, and they were dealing with two lovesick, insane, female ninja’s.

“This is the plan…………..”

Jun nodded listening to his nii-san’s every word.