Trinity

“Trinity”

by antilogicgirl

Summary: In feudal Japan, a young nobleman and his two servants are more than they seem. Destiny awaits, but only if they can survive the coming storm.

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A/N: I got this idea suddenly, and had to do some very quick research into Japanese mythology to get the initial outline down. I’ve never done a mythology, but I figured since Itachi uses a little of the Sun Goddess, then so can I. Respectfully, that is.
This first chapter is an introduction into the world, time, and mythology that will be adapted for this story. There is no sex in this chapter, but there is a bit of tension between certain of the characters. This has now been edited, hopefully so that it is better organized. The creation myth has been condensed, and the excessively long names that the gods had have been cut down. Thank every god that ever was, because I got really tired of typing out those things!

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Legal Stuffiness: I do not own Naruto, or any of the characters therein. Kishimoto Masashi, sole proprietor. Japanese mythological characters in this work have been altered slightly, but retain their essential characteristics. Japanese creation myth fragment adapted from the Kojiki, Japan's oldest chronicle, compiled in 712 CE by O No Yasumaro.

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A note on language/culture. I will be using Japanese words, names, and places in this story. Please look at the list at the end of the chapter for any words or suffixes that are unfamiliar. I mention several of the gods and goddesses important in the Shinto religion, but there are only a few that will be important. They’re all explained in the condensed version of the creation story, so I’m not noting them here.

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Time period: the Warring States Period.
Place: Feudal Japan.

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Prologue: The Storyteller

“Gather round, little ones. For I shall tell you of the beginning.” A spotted, gnarled hand beckoned. Wise old eyes peeked out from beneath drooping white brows, and the old man smiled as three small children approached him warily. “Fear not, children. I am but an old storyteller. If you wish, stay. For the tale I will weave for you is as great as any, but more important to lowly humans than most are. Please…sit.”

The first of them to approach, a boy of no more than seven, gave him an appraising look. “Why should we listen to you, old man? If we want to hear such stories, we only need to go to the temple and ask the monks. They’ll talk all day, and they don’t ask that we pay them.”

Chuckling heartily in a breathy, wheezing way, the storyteller returned the calculating glance he received from the boy. “You are a very shrewd boy! But though you understand my need for a fee, you fail to see that the monks will ask for something much more precious than money from you. They ask devotion. A lifelong commitment to their gods. I ask only…no. For you little ones, I will ask nothing. Merely sit with me and keep me company while I tell you the greatest tale.”

The boy was still looking at him askance. His dark eyes narrowed in his pale face, and a set of long, dark bangs fluttered around his head in a gentle breeze. The storyteller knew this boy. He had not met him before this moment. But there was something…familiar about him. Putting that out of his mind, he looked at the other two children.

The other boy was just a little shorter than the first. Though, his clothes were much less grand. While the black-haired boy wore a fresh new dark blue yukata, this boy was clad in faded, threadbare gray. He wore a necklace with two charms, one a red and white enamel fan, the other a bone spiral. It was obvious that he was a servant. This boy was a rarity. His hair was the color of the sun, and his eyes were as blue as mid-winter skies. The girl wore pale blue, and had her hair covered, though the old man’s still-sharp eyes could catch a glimpse of light pink strands. His surprise was almost without bounds.

Though the boy he spoke to was cautious, the storyteller thought now that he might not be careful enough. His thoughts were interrupted when the golden-haired boy spoke. “Sasuke-dono…” Dark eyes turned on the other boy, and the blue-eyed child flinched under their gaze. “Please, Sasuke-dono? May we stay? I have never heard this story, and have no time to go to the temple since we are always together. I am sure Sakura-chan feels the same way, don’t you?” He turned to the girl, whose green eyes were fixed firmly on her feet, urging for her support.

Her face turned nearly the color of her covered hair. “Yes…but if Sasuke-dono wishes to go, then we must follow him, Naruto. You know that.”

This conversation was obviously trying the dark-haired boy’s patience. He finally threw his hands up in frustration. “Fine! We will stay, but only for the one story. After that, we go back to the house so that I can resume my studies.” Both of the young servants murmured their agreement, and their thanks. When the children had settled themselves onto the grass, this boy said in an imperious manner, “Begin.”

“Many thanks, young master. And now, the story of the beginning of this land…”

Imagine, if you can, the void. Limitless, without shape, it stretched on forever. The void was filled with chaos, darkness, and it persisted in this way for eons upon eons. Then, from the midst of that boundless, chaotic mass, the Heavens rose. The Plain of High Heaven itself, light and transparent, came up from the darkness spreading far and wide, to where we now see it today. In this plain, amongst the wispy clouds, there suddenly appeared three gods. These, the Three Creating Gods, we will only mention in passing, so that you may know that it is they who created all things but the void. Minaka-Nushi, Takami-Musubi, and Kammi-Musubi came before us all.

During this time, there was change occurring. All that is heavy and solid began to settle upon a lower plain, creating the essence of what would later become the earth. For the time being, it was said that the earth resembled oil, floating like a jelly-fish upon the surface of the seas. From the bosom of this unformed earth, two gods sprang. Kahibi-Hikoji was brother to Tokotachi, whom we now know as the great one, He Who Stands Forever in Heaven.

In just this way, many more gods were born, and they increased in number rapidly, populating the Plain of Heaven as the ascended. These gods came to an agreement, sending two of their number down to the earth. Izanagi and Izanami descended into the unformed place with the plan that they would create solid earth that may be lived and worked upon.

The tool they used to perform this task was a golden spear named Ame-no-Nuboko, which was encrusted with gems. After receiving the spear, the two proceeded to look over the changeable world from the Floating Bridge of Heaven, crossing the boundary between Heaven and the earth. They beheld, from their vantage, a sea of fog. Because of this, they were at a loss as to how they should begin. But after some time, Izanagi suggested that they plunge the spear into the fog and sea, and test the results. The blade struck something instantly upon being thrust into this mass, and large drops of solid earth collected out of the fog, falling from the shining edge, quickly forming the first island, that of Onokoro. Izanami smiled, pleased with this result.

This newly formed land became their home, and it was this that became the beginnings of the country they were instructed to create. The two then wished to be married. Their house, the Hall of Eight Fathoms, was built around a giant stone, which they called the Pillar of Heaven. Their marriage was conduced thus: walking in opposite directions around the pillar, Izanami spoke first, delighting to meet such a handsome young man. Izanagi replied that he was overjoyed to have fallen in love with such a beautiful woman.

It was to Izanagi’s displeasure that his wife spoke before him, but he allowed her to live with him all the same. They lived together for some time, and Izanami gave birth to two sons, but they were weak, without even bones to support them. The other gods told them that it was because the woman spoke first. Man must go first in all things, his wife supporting him in his actions, else the result is weakness and ruination.

“Ano…ojisan…” The small girl spoke softly, her eyes looking away from him in modesty.

The storyteller smiled kindly. “Yes, my dear?”

“Is it really that important? Who speaks first when meeting? I am a servant, and I must not speak to my master unless it is important, or if he asks me a direct question. But if I were speaking to…to Naruto, would I have to wait until he thinks it time to speak? Neither of us are any higher in station!” her eyes were beginning to crinkle in irritation. The storyteller tried to soothe her.

“It may be, my dear, that the Bushido does not permit a woman to speak before a man…but you must realize. There are gods that have done wrong, as well as men. And the mother of us all, the light-bringer, Amaterasu, is female. You have, in your way, as much power as your friend here.” The old man gestured to Naruto. “You have the power of giving life to another being, just as the sun goddess gives life to the crops in the fields by shining her face down upon them.”

“Y-yes, I suppose…” The girl was no more calm, but she did not look as though she might begin screaming.
The dark-haired boy reached into his kimono, pulling out a small bag. Withdrawing three coins with a frown, he placed them into the wooden bowl at the storyteller’s feet. “I cannot have you upsetting my servants. Your tale is done.” The boy’s eyes bored into the old man for a long moment, and he felt as if he were being tossed in a storm in the dark of night. It was then that he became certain. The children turned away, to walk down the path again.

“You, boy!” Both of the boys turned to look back at him. The old man’s smile turned to a frown as he stood.

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Naruto gazed up at the man. Somehow, his face seemed to lose its age, fading bit by bit until he stood tall and proud, a dark monolith with piercing eyes the color of dark coals. He looked down upon them, his eyes lighting upon each in turn. The hand that once held a cane now gripped a spear. Pointing the weapon at Sasuke, he spoke once again, his voice quavering in the air.

“Hear me, little ones. I am Tokotachi, He Who Stands Forever in Heaven. After much searching, I have found you.” Moving the spear toward Naruto, he intoned, “Guard each other well, and let no man touch her.” The god—for surely he was a god—inclined his head toward Sakura. The girl’s eyes widened. She looked up from the ground, her face filled with confusion and surprise. The god lifted his spear to the Heavens, then plunged it into the ground at Sakura’s feet. When he had done this, he turned to the boys. “Try to pull it from the ground, each alone.”

Naruto stared in wonder for a moment until he suddenly felt that he could move again. He did not know what was going on, but he seemed to remember something Sasuke’s tutor Ebisu said. In certain situations, you are required to act on blind faith. His small hands grasped the golden shaft of the spear, and he tugged with all his might. It did not move. He stepped aside. If anyone could pull the thing from the ground, Sasuke could. Naruto smiled as his master stepped forward. Pale hands lay themselves upon the metal, but the other boy was no more able to pull it out than Naruto had been.

“Now, both of you.” Naruto joined Sasuke, gripping the spear’s shaft as he stood behind his master. Both boys pulled, and the thing came up out of the ground. They looked back up to the god, who took back his spear. “Let this serve to remind you,” he said warningly, “that only when you work together as one will you be able to attain the greatness that is your destiny.” Turning again to Sakura, who was shaking in fear of him and bordering on tears, the god smiled. “Do not fear,” he bent low, placing a kiss on the girl’s forehead. “You must never fear. These two will grow to be fine young men. They will protect you.”

Sakura answered as best she could, with a quiet and tearful, “Yes…” Naruto watched the man pull the scarf from Sakura’s head, her hair falling down in pink waves to her shoulders. He ran forward in alarm.

“No! She cannot walk freely like this!” Snatching the cloth from the god’s hand, he draped it over his friend’s head once more. As a very small child, Sakura had been accused of being the cause of drought, and a sickness, because she looked so different from everyone else. It was so much easier to cover her hair, and teach her to cast her eyes toward the ground. That way, she looked much like everyone else. A large, warm hand took his, pulling him away from the girl.

The smile that graced the god’s face was gentle. “You are a brave one, aren’t you?”
A fire kindled in the boy’s eyes, and he drew himself up with pride. “I am the bravest boy who ever lived!” That seemed to amuse the god.

Ruffling Naruto’s hair, Tokotachi stood. “That may very well be. But take care. Bravery is often confused with stupidity. Do not throw yourself needlessly into battle. Fight only for those things that are precious to you. And you,” he turned his dark eyes to meet the equally inky depths from which Sasuke stared, “you must be sure that no one harms these two. Protect them as though they were parts of your own body. Grow, become strong, and shelter each other. You are all three of you parts of the same whole.”

Sasuke’s mouth opened, and he began to say something, but he was cut off as the divine being took up his spear and turned away. Mist erupted from nowhere, and then cleared to reveal a shining bridge that floated in the air, leading up to the sky. Tokotachi stepped onto the bridge. With one last look back at them, he began crossing the shining surface of the bridge, slowly disappearing into the mists beyond. His voice echoed through the air.

“Protect each other. Love each other. Grow strong for the coming storm.”

Sasuke shook his head as the voice faded. “I have a feeling we shouldn’t tell anyone about this.”

Sakura was just tying her hair back into its scarf. As in times when she was stating the obvious, but meaning to sound wise, Sakura’s tone sounded as if she were about to deliver a lecture. “If you think it so, I will not say a word.”

“Nor I, Sasuke-dono!” Naruto chirped, happy to be of service. He watched as Sasuke nodded shortly and then turned to go back to the house. They walked together in silence, with Sasuke in front, Naruto slightly behind him and to his right, and Sakura pacing them three steps behind Naruto, but directly behind Sasuke. It took only half an hour to get back to the large gate that they must pass through to reach the enormous house. There was a tall youth standing at the opening.

This young man looked much like Sasuke, and rightly so, for he was his elder brother. His hair, a dark brown that was nearly black hung loosely to the middle of his back, save for a topknot tied back with a red silken cord. Naruto had always thought that he was a bit too cool. That, and he certainly did not like the way that Uchiha Itachi treated Sakura. Today, as most days, Itachi was clad in black, his kimono belted with a scarlet obi. His eyes, a very strange shade of red, moved over them before coming to rest on Sasuke. “Brother, Ebisu expects you any moment.”

Sasuke gave a little nod, and a bow. “Yes, we will go to him shortly.”

“Your servants are not needed during your training.” Naruto glared as Itachi said this, feeling Sakura’s discomfort. It was inevitable that he say something against her. Itachi seemed to dislike her for some reason, and Naruto disliked him for it, even if Sakura never could bring herself to. She was of the opinion that Itachi was part of Sasuke’s family, and by that association, she must treat him with respect. Naruto, of course, did not see it that way at all. “At least, Naruto-kun may benefit from such study…though why you allow little Sakura in the room with you at all, I will never know. She is much better suited to helping in the kitchens.” The tiny blonde boy took a step forward in anger, only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

When he turned, he saw Sakura’s eyes staring into his, a pained expression there. A miniscule shake of her head told him that he should not provoke the oldest son of the family patriarch. He muttered something over his shoulder to her.

Itachi, having observed this exchange, smiled mirthlessly. “It seems that perhaps you may learn a few things from this girl, brother. She has discretion, and wisdom beyond her years.” Dark hair fluttered as the older boy bent down. He studied Sakura’s face as she hid behind Naruto’s back, her green eyes instantly finding the ground to be fascinating. “And she is so very shy,” Crimson eyes turned back to look at Sasuke, ignoring Naruto completely. “I wonder, brother, if you might consider selling her? I have need of a maid, as Tenten’s mother has removed her from our service and placed her in a geisha house.” Stepping a little closer, the older boy smiled a bit more sincerely at the girl, who looked to be in abject terror of him. Naruto could feel her gripping the back of his tattered kimono. “What do you think, little flower? Would you like—“

“I am not selling Sakura.” The pale seven-year-old Uchiha said with an air of finality, and he turned on his heel, heading back to the house.

Naruto merely nodded at Itachi respectfully and moved to follow Sasuke. Sakura, on the other hand, was put into a terribly uncomfortable situation. Itachi’s eyes were still on her. Naruto could hear her anxiety when she spoke again. As he looked back over his shoulder, he saw her bowed low, murmuring, “Sumimasen, Itachi-sama. I must do as Sasuke-dono commands.”

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Some years later…

The sky was so beautiful today. The blue was the same color as the eyes of one of her companions. Naruto lay on her right, snoozing lightly, while Sasuke-dono was on her left, contemplating the sky as well. Though they had lived together, learning everything they could, she still did not understand them. Both were hard workers. Sasuke-dono trained so hard, there were times when she had to force him to stop, else he injure himself. Ebisu-sensei called her a weak female, but only if Naruto and Sasuke-dono were out of earshot, which was not often.

Naruto, though he was just as strong and cunning as his master, was nowhere near as serious. He wore his sword ostentatiously on his back, a bright orange tassel hanging from it. Sakura turned her head, looking at the silken threads of the tassel as it lay next to Naruto’s head. A smile graced her lips. That tassel had been a gift from her. She had made it herself for his last birthday. Sakura smiled wider as she watched him sleep. The charms on his necklace had fallen to the side of his neck, the Uchiha crest catching the light, glinting blue and red and white. She wore a similar charm on the bracelet on her left wrist.

The other pendant, made of bone, stuck to the skin near his jugular, and her eyes followed its familiar spiral. Thinking of her own family symbol, an empty circle, she wondered. Were they related in some way? They didn’t look alike, but there was always the possibility, wasn’t there? After all, he was like a brother to her. She didn’t think that she could feel this kind of kinship to a stranger.

“Sakura,” Sasuke’s now-deep voice said quietly, “wake him up.”

“Yes, Sasuke-dono.” Reaching over to tickle his nose, Sakura stifled a small giggle. However, before her hand got there, her wrist was caught in a firm grip and Naruto’s eyes opened, sparkling blue mischief up at her. “Naruto! I should have known!”

The blonde boy chuckled. “Want to test your skills, Sakura-chan?”

One of her pale brows rose. “Is that a challenge, Uzumaki Naruto?”

Sasuke sighed. “Not out where everyone can see, Sakura.” The girl nodded silently, and Naruto released her wrist. Naruto rose first, slinging the leather strap of his sword over the white haori he wore. Dusting off his dark blue hakama, he offered a hand to Sakura. Taking it, the girl thanked him quietly. After checking that the large scarf she wore over her hair was still in place, Sakura dusted off her pale green kimono. When Sasuke rose, he made sure to clean off the dark gray of his haori and hakama. “Let us go back to the house.”

Sakura followed her usual three steps behind Naruto, keeping pace and watching their surroundings carefully while pretending to stare at Sasuke’s heels. As she breathed, she could feel the familiar hardness of the fan she kept lodged behind her obi pressing against her chest. It was a reassuring feeling. The blades sewn to the very ends of the silk on the fan had not yet been used, and it was her hope that she would have no need of them. But as her master had pointed out, one could never be too careful.

The gate loomed ahead, and the three entered in their usual order. They were met by Sasuke’s mother, Mikoto-dono. “Sasuke-kun…it is nearly time for supper. Please send Sakura-chan and Naruto-kun to help.”

Sakura immediately looked to Sasuke, who nodded. Naruto ran off to help the men with the furniture, bringing in the small tables and cushions for the evening meal, while Sakura went off toward the kitchens. Seating herself delicately on the edge of the porch, she removed her geta, placing them under the wooden ledge there. Once she had risen to her feet, she began walking to the back of the house, along the porch.

Turning a corner, she was startled when she ran face-first into something solid, yet cloth-covered. The shock sent her sprawling to the wooden planks of the porch, her rear end hitting hard, causing her to groan in pain. Blinking up at the person she’d run into, she found that she was staring directly into the eyes of Uchiha Itachi.
Those red eyes blinked slowly down at her before he reached out a hand. “Please be careful, little flower,” Itachi said as he helped her to stand. “It would not do to bruise yourself.” Sakura did not like the way he was looking at her. His eyes made her feel insignificant, small. Itachi’s hand lingered just a bit too long on hers, and she pulled away from him suddenly, looking away.

“I must go. Please excuse me, Itachi-sama.” Her words were hasty, and she did not bow as she usually did. The pounding of her heart would not allow for such niceties. Sakura turned the corner hurriedly, making swiftly for the kitchens.

She had not gotten far when a strong hand clamped down on her wrist, pulling her to face her assailant. Again, she found herself gazing into Itachi’s eyes, her back pressed against a wall. Trapped like a rat…“A-ano…Itachi-sama…please let me go.”

Red eyes narrowed, burning down into hers as he pressed closer to her. “You speak freely…for a woman. What happened to the shy little flower?”

By all the gods, Sakura felt as if her heart were going to burst from her chest! Her voice came haltingly as her hands felt along the wall, hoping for a doorway to duck into. “P-please…I…I must—“ Her words failed her when his free hand pulled her scarf away from her hair, allowing it to fall down to the small of her back. “I-Itachi-s-sama…please…”

Red eyes flickered to the pale pink strands of her hair. “I now understand why they call you Sakura…with petals such as these,” his voice seemed far away, “it would be difficult to name you anything else.” Sakura held her breath, hoping that he would leave her alone. He did not. On the contrary, Itachi’s fingers threaded through the hair at the side of her face, giving her a shiver. Something felt dreadfully wrong. There was an ache in her stomach that she did not understand, and it seemed to spread the longer his fingers touched her. “Every flower loses its bloom, Sakura.” What was he talking about? “Each is pure, fragrant, and perfect in its own way. Every one is beautiful. Take care little flower. Your perfection is fleeting. Do not display it for the wrong man.”
Taken aback, Sakura tried to speak, but could not. Itachi’s face remained where it was, so very close. His eyes bored into her, and she felt exposed. Her hand began edging to her obi, where her fan lay hidden.

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End, Prologue.

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Japanese Terms used:

Ano: also, “anou”. This is the Japanese version of the English “um”. A way to show hesitation.
Bushido: the code of conduct adopted by Japanese samurai, dealing with all aspects of life. It is generally acceptable to use the European code of chivalry as a parallel to this code.
-chan: a somewhat diminutive term of endearment. Usually used when someone is younger than oneself or when one thinks fondly of a female, such as when Naruto refers to Sakura as “Sakura-chan”. In rare instances, boys will request to be called –chan, though this is usually done in a joking way. For instance, Momoshiro Takeshi from Prince of Tennis prefers to be called “Momo-chan”. Strange kid.
-dono: this suffix attaches the highest amount of respect to a person’s name, even more than the more widely-used “-sama” or “sensei”.
Geta: traditional wooden sandals worn by women in Japan. They resemble modern flip-flops.
Hakama: a wide, pleated garment worn either as a kind of skirt, or as pants. This is worn by practitioners of kendo, or sword-play, to hide the movement of the legs and feet.
Haori: a kind of jacket worn over kimono by both men and women in Japan.
-kun: generally referring to the youngest born of a family. This is often used in a more familiar setting than if one were to just meet.
Ojisan: literally, “uncle”. Used to refer to an older man that one is not formally acquainted with.
-sama: usually used to bestow honor upon a person. Has the connotation “lord”.
-sensei: literally, “he who comes before”. A teacher or mentor.
Sumimasen: a way to say “excuse me” or “sorry”.
Yukata: an informal kimono, usually worn in summer time. Since contact with western countries began, it has been made of cotton.

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Next time:

An indecent proposal.
...Itachi’s smirk spread over his lips, then up to his eyes. “But little brother,” he said in a quiet, deadly voice, “she is not your wife, is she? If Sakura wishes it, she may consent to whatever I may ask of her.”

An eerie presence.
...“Is someone there?” she called, her voice sounding small in the large room. There was no answer. “Please, who is it?”

Unwelcome memories.
...Itachi’s lips brushed over his, little sparks igniting, dancing through his body. “Remember, how you cried for me…how you begged me…how you clung to me…”