Chapter 5
"A problem at the Northern border?"
"Precisely, your Grace. I conversed with Forsterin and she mentioned that the people there has lost an area of the forest because of some wild beast. Their overlord house, the Yamanaka, have tried to find it too but it managed to badly injured their daughter, lady Ino. Miss Forsterin ventured up to the capital for this reason as well.", Sakura reports back after her conversation with the prisoner.
"That is no good news. They have been of great service to us since Uchiha Madara's day, and the Sisters are great warriors, we will need to provide them some support. Sasuke, I trust that you can handle this?"
"Yes, Father. I will bring back good news for you."
"Very well. Also bring your bride along with you, she needs to learn our way as well. Izumi, can you come along to guide her? You can meet your old friends too."
"Certainly, Father. I would love to go with them."
"Then it is settled, go when you are done preparing. As for other matters..."
When Uchiha Madara came to the land, some houses were aware of their standing and bent their knees, submitting to his cause. One such house was the Yamanaka, originally known as Mellanberget, but upon swearing their loyalty to Madara, he changed their name to his native language, keeping its original meaning intact. After the successful conquest, such houses were given lands to guard and govern in his name, and the Yamanaka were stationed at their own place, the Northernmost part of the kingdom.
In the modern day, the house has produced two heirs, the sisters Yurino and Ino. Being great beauties and adorned by many, they were the pride of their house, much to their father, lord Yamanaka Inoichi's delight. Aside from their fame, the two are skillful warriors as well, earning the moniker of "The Two Sisters of the North" or just "The Sisters" is enough. While Yurino, the elder, is a skilled swordswoman, the younger Ino is a master at mind's games, and is rumoured to possess the skill of mind transfer. Many expected them to be the new Uchiha princess, as Yurino and princess Izumi are best of friends, but alas they weren't seen anywhere in the competition. It seems that they had their own concerns to worry about.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, I think I'm good to go."
"Their atmosphere is gonna be significantly different here. Have you prepared warmer clothes?"
"Yes, I'm not a kid, Sasuke-kun. Besides, if I get cold, will you light a fire for me?"
"That can do, I'll use the taiga forest for the wood."
"Sasuke-kun!"
"Love birds." Izumi rolls her eyes before turning to Shisui and Obito. "Remember Shisui, keep Kaguya away from Obito okay? Just give her some fresh grass and carrots when you're about to eat. Shisui?"
"Yeah I got you, just this is entertaining to watch." Shisui replies with a smile while his eyes are attached to his cousin.
"For you. May Madara bless me, I'm going to be stuck with them for a while."
"Does this bother you?" Shisui lowers his voice down and gently asks her.
"Not in that way... just, I'm thinking about how I'm going to be stuck with two love birds and their antics before I have any ally for my side." Izumi sighs. "I love them, but I have my limits too you know."
"Haha, I can see that. Three is a crowd after all, and it will be like 3 days at most to get there right? Although, if anything, that girl is there too. You won't have to suffer alone." Shisui directs his vision at Forsterin who is sitting on a separate carriage. She is well watched after by not 1, but 2 Uchiha and their latest addition to the family.
"Amazing, I have a common sufferer."
As much as Izumi is annoyed, she is just similar to the brothers in the way they find it very dearing that Sasuke has found someone for his own now. Growing up the youngest, Sasuke has always been left behind because his brother and cousins have been well older than him, and they often tease him as their little baby. Izumi was no different too, as she naturally takes up the role of his older sister. But now, their young boy has grown up to be a fine man of his own, and seeing him caring for another one so passionately is rather heartwarming if anything.
"Excuse me, your Royal Highnesses , your carriage is ready." Izumi coughs to gather their attention as enough time has gone by.
"Oh right, sorry sister." Sakura laughs awkwardly after pushing the additional clothing that Sasuke kept giving her.
"Alright, let's go. I'm dying to see my friends." Izumi cheerfully says as she walks to Forsterin's carriage.
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Turns out Sasuke really was right, the weather gets different on their second day. Despite having brought warmer clothes as well as Sasuke's very generous additions, Sakura has never experienced this low temperature before and her body is taking quite some time to get used to it. Of course, she can manipulate her chakra control to withstand this much heat, but that is not a very effective solution, so Sasuke sits close next to her to provide further warmth for her. Sometimes Sakura dozed off from the cold, but just as she laid her head on the door frame, Sasuke was quick to catch it and lay it on his shoulder. It's softer and more comfortable for her that way, he thinks, but he can feel his face getting warmer too. If she wakes up now, she might probably see the shade of the maple leaves in her country during its fall season on his cheeks.
It's time for dinner, and Sasuke set up a huge fire camp for everyone. Good thing they have a forester on their side, and an Uchiha's flame is always warm enough. They have pre packed food so they only need to cook it, so everyone had a moment gathering around fire while waiting for the food to cook, except Izumi who is sleeping in for her night shift.
"Uhm... I haven't seen you at the castle do I?" Sakura enquires one of the servants that have accompanied them.
"Yes, my lady." The servant replies.
"Uhm... who are you again?"
"My name is Aoda, my lady."
"And your hand...?"
"My hand?"
"Why does it have scales?"
"Aoda, why don't you explain your family's history to her?" Sasuke says as he sips a hot tea.
"Understood, master. My family has long been serving the Uchiha, your Grace. Originally, we were illuminated beasts coming from the West, but we were banished away and have been scattered away. Then, my family met Great Lord Uchiha Madara, and we created a pact with him."
"A pact?"
"Yes, my lady. Because we take the form of snakes, we would be unable to live in colder climates, as cold blooded creatures will naturally enter hibernation with colder temperatures. However, the pact with Madara gave us a human form, and the flame of the Uchiha kept our body warm to defy the climate. In exchange, my family vow to serve his family, the Uchiha. As a result, we have always been on their side ever since, each of us dedicating ourselves to serve a master. My master is your husband, my lady, and it has been that way ever since he was six and ten."
"How does temperature affect you then?"
"The flame that was blessed to us will keep us warm will always try to maintain a balance between the temperature of the weather and of our own bodies. If we venture into an area too cold, we might risk overheating ourselves with the internal flame, but I believe that such temperature is unsuitable for life as well. If anything, we can control our own temperature, but the less flame we have, the more snakelike we will appear, which is why only until this point that you see my scales."
"You are fine here though, right?"
"Yes, my lady. This is well within our capacity."
"That is good to know."
It seems that the Uchiha really do take the wellbeing of their subject into consideration, and as a result, they have gained their own following in this land. Sakura looks up to Sasuke, who was sipping his tea before looking back at her, which she shyly turns away. But when she looks back, she can see him hold another cup and hand it to her already, in which she quietly accepts and murmurs a thank you. Sakura then brings up another topic randomly, and they all had a pleasant conversation.
.
At night, Sakura sleeps peacefully inside the carriage, and Sasuke has put a special heating lamp inside for her. They are having a snow storm, and Sasuke is switching night watch shifts with Izumi, waiting for her to get ready.
"Nee-san."
"Yeah? What's up?"
"You seem to get along well with that girl. Is there anything peculiar? She seems to be less hostile to Sakura too."
"Ah... Sakura confronted her in the prison, you know. Those two talked it out. Turns out, Forsterin was really into you because apparently you aren't afraid of her.
"What is there about her to be afraid of?"
"That's what we think, but most men around her are too shy to even be around her. That is until you came by and she was amazed at your.. unphased attitude. Itachi was like that too but he had me so she latched onto you quickly."
"I see."
"Yeah, and Sakura just came to her and said 'there's no need to worry, you haven't met all that will love you' or something like that. And that really got into her."
"Hm."
"Why? You're interested?"
"No, I'm just wondering why she isn't trying to murder Sakura every 2 minutes."
"Haha. Your bride, she really does have the ability to compel affection from others. All she needs is a little time. Had Shisui not tell me about it, I would have thought it's an innate power too. The moment I met her, I really do have an immediate liking towards her too." Izumi cheerfully smiles. "How about you, Sasuke? What was your initial impression of her?"
Sasuke goes silent, taking the time to mint out the right words to describe his feelings.
"She was like... as if the cherry blossom tree had taken a human form. She looks like the first bud that blooms when spring comes, or the first sunray that goes through the cloud when spring comes. She feels just like that, a spring sunshine, a stark contrast to what I have known most of my life."
"Haha, I can see it. She really was like that huh, being a peculiarity. Her eyes, it almost feels like she's piercing through your soul huh? And here she is, all up in this harsh and cold North..."
"Which is why, I want to protect her as much as I can. I want to make life here as comfortable and safe as she can get it. I know she's an extremely capable person, and comfortability and safety is a luxury here, like the fact that she is sleeping in a carriage instead of a decent bedroom, but I want to shield her from this darkness that never fades away around us."
"And what if something bad happens to her?"
"I will put my life on it."
"Sasuke." Izumi sighs.
"Hm?"
"Duty aside, I know you are committed to Itachi's word, as am I. So you want her with your head, sure, but what about your heart? What are your emotions towards her? Is she someone you brought alone because Itachi said so, and you just want to protect her and that's it, or, do you actually have something inside you that compels you to be with her and shelter her?".
As straightforward as she puts it, Izumi really just wants to know about Sasuke's feelings.
"What do you mean?"
"What is the reason you go all the way out just to get her? What is the reason behind your proposal to her? Is it because Itachi said so? Or something else?"
"I will do everything in my power to protect my family and our people."
"Sasuke... you are my brother just as much as you are Itachi's. I would want nothing more for you to be happy, especially with the ones you love. You are to be wed to her soon. I mean, she is a perfect person, but what matters is whether your heart wants her."
"Izumi, this question... I..."
Sasuke struggles to get the right word, to his tongue, to his mind, to his heart. This is the first time he was ever challenged to think in such a frontal way with the matters of the heart.
"Sorry, I think I asked too much. You should go get some sleep. I got you covered now."
Before she walks away, Izumi doesn't forget to tease him just a bit.
"Also since she is your wife now, I think it's fair that you two share a sleeping place, hm?"
Even after walking away, Izumi just knew Sasuke's face is in a different shade now and left palm is definitely on his face.
So inexperienced.
.
Sasuke in fact does enter the carriage with the sleeping Sakura, though he keeps a respectable distance to the sleeping beauty. Part of him thinks Izumi set this scenario up, and her reason for 'I'd rather have an early beauty sleep than to have none.' was just a cover up. But part of him is thankful for this opportunity that she has created, intentional or not. It allows him to sit with his emotions and process it, as much difficulty he has with it. Unlike Sakura who was mentored in all sorts of medical studies, which also included human emotions and psychology, Sasuke's education consists of learning how to make people follow you and how to make people who reject you regret it. He is a grown up person now, he cannot keep relying on his mother to find guidance, he has to be independent and learn to navigate his own feelings and soul.
Sasuke thinks about the first time he meets Sakura. With the status the two both possess, it's actually pretty hard not to be unaware of the other's existence, he just never had the chance to hear the world and her description because he was busy trying to outdo his brother. All he ever knew was that Sakura is an adopted child of the Uzumaki family and became Queen one day, the rest he never paid attention. Their first time meeting each other, Sasuke thought he saw an outright goddess amongst them. Her beauty is one thing, but the aura she emits, as regal as it is, really makes you want to kneel to her. Her strength, despite her gentle-looking appearance, must be a nightmare to cartographers, because she can always give the landscape a restructure with just one punch. Her mind, oh it's even more beautiful than her face, consists of incredible knowledge and immense thinking and memorising capabilities. But most importantly, her kindness and love. The way she cares for others around her, thinks for others around her, works for others around her, no wonder she is so beloved in her native kingdom. Sasuke is truly glad that this is the person who his brother told him to marry, as she is just the best anyone can ask for, but what about his honest feeling? It's only natural that men would want their wife to be protected, cherished and happy, and find them beautiful right?
Turning his vision back to the sleeping girl, Sasuke takes a good while to really take in her features. Red now glows from his eyes, he studies her meticulously. She is sleeping comfortably with warm clothes and a heater, her breathing is as calm and normal as a resting person can be. She really is such a peaceful and calming presence, and her appearance has given his life a new colour. Pink, yes, because that is her signature colour, but also because she makes all around her so happy and loved. Whenever he talks to her, he feels a deep understanding from her side, even if he is not the best with words and as such many usually misunderstand him. Such a rarity, he thinks, he is rather blessed to enjoy it.
.
The following morning, the whole group travelled as usual to their destination. As the climate starts to get colder, so does the snow, and Sakura's breath is now smoked.
"Waa, the scenery is spectacular here." Sakura is simply amazed at the sight.
The road is fully covered in snow, as the result of the snow storm last night.
"Oh, that is a family-owned eatery, their food is very good!" Forsterin cheers up at the sight of a cabin, just in time for lunch break.
"Is that so... Well, father did create a decree that forbids food poisoning in eateries, we can save the food supply for dinner and we do have an amazing physician on our side should things go wrong. What do you say, Sasuke?" Izumi asks.
Sasuke looks to Sakura at his side, whose eyes are beaming with excitement.
"Fine, we can stop by. But let's just keep our identity a secret, I don't want any unnecessary attention."
.
"Welcome to the shop! How may we help you?", the shopkeeper cheerfully welcomes them. He is rocking reddish curly locks on his hair and bright blue eyes. "Oh wait, Forsterin, is that you? Long time no see!", spotting a familiar face, he surely gets more friendly.
"Hello Kellner, table for 6, please, I have some company here.", Forsterin waves back.
"Of course! Coming right up!", but of course, he can't help it but to look at the pink-haired beside her, something Sasuke quickly took notice of.
"Here is your table, do you have anything in mind? What about you, beautiful?" After settling them in and serving some warm drinks to them, the waiter is making his attention clear.
"My wife, what do you want?" Sasuke coughs, and Izumi almost spits out her drink. Shisui and Obito will definitely know about this.
"Uhm... Forsterin, do you have any recommendations?" Sakura is rather confused at the food choices.
"Sure, how about some meatballs and roasted chicken? It's my usual here, and the meatballs are regularly ordered here."
"Excellent choices, let me know if there's anything else that you want." and with that, Kellner goes to get their order.
The group are listening to Forsterin's stories about people here until a woman, reddish curly locks and bright blue eyes, having a babe in her hand approaches them.
"Oh wait, is that you? Forsterin?", the woman couldn't hide her shock.
"Kellsey! Good to see you, how have you been? And is this little Kelvin? Ah look how much he has grown."
"He sure is! He is eating so much more too geez..."
Kellsey is Kellner's sister and Kelvin is her baby. Well, it seems that those bright blue eyes are showing themselves clearly, but Kelvin seems to have bright blonde hair though, that reminds me... He honestly resembles Boruto a lot, the only difference is the babe's palette is in a much brighter shade. And just as she thinks of it, the babe reaches out to her, wobbling his hand.
"Oh? You want her to hold you, little babe?" Izumi cheerfully notices.
"Uhm, I wouldn't mind." Sakura welcomes the babe with open hand, and his mother gently passes her babe over to her.
Sakura cherishes the babe, she misses Boruto a lot too, as she often held him when he was a babe too. And the babe seems to enjoy being in Sakura's hand, enjoying holding and pulling her unusual pink hair, which deconstructed her hairdo. But Sakura couldn't care less about that, she enjoys playing with him as well. Sasuke also picks up on this, and he observes her closely. Now, if the babe in her hand has black eyes and hair... he is taken back. The image of her, holding his baby, seems to be so natural and.. just right. Then a thought just occurs in him.
"Food coming right up! Our signature dish, meatballs!" Kellner appears with a huge dish in his hand and puts it down on the table. Sakura returns the babe back to his mother, looking at him dearly.
"Itadakimasu." Right on cue, the Uchihas clap their hands together.
"Oh, this is just good!" Sakura can't help but get excited about the food. It is just so delicious, unlike anything she ever ate. She is in a new country after all.
"Hehe, I know right?" Forsterin replies with a big smile.
.
The meal was pleasant enough, and the dine eventually gifted them with a raspberry cake, much to the women's joy. Afterwards, Sasuke thinks it's best that they have a short break before hitting the road again. But his wife is rather enthusiastic about the scenery, so she really wants to go outside to have a walk, and he just can't let her wander around alone nor have the heart to deny her request. Thus, Uchiha Sasuke is now taking his wife out for a walk in the forest after lunch. Sakura is simply astonished at her surroundings, and it greatly improves her mood, that and the delicious meal she just had. Sasuke thinks it's a good time to discuss something.
"Sakura."
"Hm? Yes, Sasuke-kun?"
"Back at the eatery, you seem to enjoy the babe a lot?"
"Oh, do you think so? I suppose it's true. The babe has many similarities to Boruto when he was younger, so I can't help it hehe. I miss the kid."
At that notion, Sasuke suddenly feels unpleasant.
"Ah... don't worry about it, it's bound to come. It's not your fault, you know.", sensing him, she quickly reassures him.
"But it is my fault."
"No, Sasuke-kun. I'm here because I want to be here, your cause is an additional reason. I was bound to leave my home after all.", Sakura says as she picks up a purple berry on a random bush, and Sasuke leaves out a sigh, and he steps closer to her.
"Hm? What is it?"
"I didn't bring it up because I haven't thought about it yet. But Sakura, I know you are positive about childbearing, in a peaceful era that is, but have you thought about your partner?"
"My partner? That would be my husband right?"
"Sure, but do you have.. any thoughts about that person?", Sasuke picks up a berry from the same bush as Sakura just did, studying it as he hides his face, and suddenly Sakura gets what he means, and she blushes immediately.
"U-uhm, Sasuke-kun, about that-", Sakura was babbling, but it quickly got interrupted by a large noise. "Woa- what was that-" Sakura retorts, and as always Sasuke was quick to shield her behind his back, and suddenly a huge grey ball rolls through them.
"Sasuke! Sakura!" Izumi shouts from afar, skipping amongst tree branches to land on the ground swiftly.
"Izumi! Is everything alright?" Sakura immediately holds her in.
"I'm fine, so is everyone else. We were just resting before I heard some noises, and the ground shook a little. I got out and saw a big grey ball and it was rolling around. It wasn't a rock, it was more like a very big porcupine if anything. And it rolled this way and I followed it."
"Nee-san, bring Sakura back to the group, I'll-"
"No, you will not. You mustn't act alone, and that is an unidentified enemy, you will need some allies. We will need to make it to Yamanaka's castle quickly and see them. With the Sisters' help, it's much safer and better planned. Let's get going. The eatery is safe, Forsterin has made sure of that now."
"She is right, Sasuke-kun. You can't put yourself in unknown danger, and you can't leave me behind that is!" Sakura is not pleased at his attempt to leave her behind.
"Fine, that can do. And Sakura-" Sasuke replies as he walks up to her, takes her hand up and throws the berry in her hand away, but before she can retort anything.
"That berry is poisonous."
.
The entire going forward trip had Forsterin and Izumi with them on the carriage, discussing the encounter. Before long, they have reached the Yamanaka's castle, a white stoned castle, smaller, but with resemblance to the Uchiha's castle, and it is stationed on the middle of a high mountain, such befitting of their name. At the entrance of the castle, stands a group of people, probably servants and maids, with 2 figures standing in the middle, definitely the Yamanakas judging from their clothing and position. If Sakura thinks Forsterin has a much brighter palette than people, then the Yamanakas probably register on a whole new spectrum of white colors. Their hairs are in such a bright blonde shade it almost looks like they are white with gold tint, and their eyes must have been the brightest shade of blue possible on humans. Beside a man, who must be Lord Yamanaka, stands a strikingly beautiful woman. Her palette is just like her father, but her hair is flowing with slight waves which she lets loose. She dons leathers with a sword by her side, but they all seem to be in a bright white color. This woman must be Yamanaka Yurino. If Sakura is the personification of spring with all its greeneries, then this woman would undoubtedly be winter's beauty.
"Welcome to our castle, your Grace. I have long awaited your arrival." The man bows down to Sasuke.
"It's great to see you, Lord Yamanaka. I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, lady Ino.", Sasuke replies.
"Thank you for your words, your Grace, but such are expected from our lifestyle. However, it seems that we have a new face here?", Lord Yamanaka looks up to Sakura.
"Greetings, my Lord. I am Sakura, and I will be marrying prince Sasuke soon."
"Oh, goodness. You will be our crown princess soon, I suppose preparations are in order." Lord Yamanaka cheers up instantly, much to Sakura's joy.
"Your Grace." The woman finally steps in and introduces herself, curtsying in front of Sasuke and Sakura.
"Lady Yamanaka. How fare you?"
"I am well, your Grace." the lady replies before looking up to Sakura, then quickly adjusts her eyes to Izumi, in a naughty manner that is.
"Very well. I suppose it is time we get to business. Lord Yamanaka, it's great that lady Yamanaka is well, but regarding her sister, my bride is an accomplished healer from the Uzumaki's kingdom, if she may, can you let her see the younger lady?"
"Of course, your Grace. This way please."
The group makes their way to a bed chamber, and stumbles upon a room.
"My daughter..."
"My sister can wake up from time to time, but I don't want her to push herself too much, so I suggested that she will sleep as long as she would like and could. Please excuse her right now.", Yurino cuts her father as she senses his inability to formulate cohesive sentences at the sight of his unwell daughter.
"That is fine, I would want the same too, my lady." Sakura replies.
"Thank you, your Grace. We have no one else to count on but you right now."
"My prince, I think this sight isn't for your eyes. Perhaps you and lord Yamanaka can have other discussions?" Sakura turns to Sasuke.
"Very well, I trust that you can handle things here." Sasuke replies to her, as he and lord Yamanaka go forward. As the women enter the room, Sakura sees a figure similar to lady Yurino standing beside her. She is not in a healthy state, but her features are just like her sister's, just that while the elder has a much more stern appearance, the younger have a much softer and feminine look to it, and her hair are straight it seems.
Sakura quickly works her chakra and a bright green aura emits from her palm, and she places it on her patient's forehead.
"You... defeated Forsterin didn't you?" Yurino wasted no time and asked Sakura out.
"Yes, I did. Though I suppose I gave the King a bit of a headache because of that. He has to rebuild the arena now."
"Mighty impressive, I would love to have a spar with you soon. But that can leave it for later, my sister is in your hands now."
"Of course, I will heal her until she is back to her best shape." Sakura replies with a smile, much to Yurino's joy, and she turns back to Izumi, leaving Sakura to do her work.
"Izumi. Long time no see." Yurino comes to Izumi and hugs her tightly.
"Yurino, it's been awhile. How have you been?"
"Well aside from some annoyance, I've been fine. And you? Are you well now?"
"It's been better, hehe. Sakura's arrival has brought me so much joy."
The two women are best of friends, as they grew up close together before Izumi met Itachi and subsequently moved to the capital city. Sakura can tell they have reached a deep level of friendship now, judging on how they have no issue making sadistic remarks to each other and all so comfortable to one another. With that in mind, Sakura finishes examining her patients.
"My lady, it seems that your sister is well, as her body is still healing from the injuries. Her resting like this, must be her mind at work. May I check out her medicines?"
"Of course, it should be on this list." Yurino approaches the nearby nightstand and picks up a piece of paper before handing it out to Sakura, who takes it in her hand to study it.
"The medicines prescribed here are fine, but if you don't mind, may I prescribe her with my own medicine? It's from the Southern land with its diverse vegetation."
"If the physician says so, then I suppose I will have to trust her."
"Thank you for your words, my lady. As for your faith, I won't let it down."
Sakura quickly opens her box filled with herbal medicines, and writes out a prescription. She expects her patients to improve her state after a good 3 to 5 days. Afterwards, the women rendezvous with Sasuke and lord Yamanaka, but a strange man, a fair face with unusual paper-white skin and ink-black eyes and hair is standing there with them as well.
.
"The Kettensages were chopping woods as usual, until they heard a strange noise coming from an area. Upon miss Forsterin's discovery, she found an abnormally large man with orange hair, filled with grey sharp horns alongside his body. As she reports it back to us, I sent my daughters to go after them, but then my Ino...", lord Yamanaka reports the entire situation back to everyone.
"This beast-man is not only strong, but extremely fast, and he can turn to another creature. Moreover, whenever Ino tried to control him, her mind got thrown to the air whenever she tries. Then I engaged in physical combat with him.", Yurino describes her encounter.
"Please describe how he fights, if you may, my lady." Sakura asks her.
"Of course, he can seemingly shift to different animals. Sometimes a deer, sometimes a wolf, or when he was hurting Ino because he was flying, a bat. But other than that, his hand can be turned into different weapons, swords, axes, spears,..."
An incredible shapeshifter then?
"Any news about its current whereabouts?" Sasuke asks.
"Sai? What have you found?" Yurino questions the seemingly black-and-white man.
"Before I got sent back, I last tracked him down at a nearby cave from the Northwest of our castle. I believe he is currently residing there.", the man replies in an almost monotone manner.
"Very well. We have an inkling of his location now. Now, your Royal Highness, what do you say about this?"
"We are currently having a shapeshifter with the ability to deflect any illusions. This will require elaborate planning and teamwork if we are to capture him successfully.", Sasuke thinks.
"My lady, by any chance, was there something flying around during your confrontation?" Sakura questions Yurino again.
"Yes, we were in a large cave, so there were probably some bats?"
"I see. I understand now.", and as she finished her sentence, all eyes were on her.
"Sakura?" Izumi asks.
"My theory is that this.. man works around chakra transfer. If lady Ino's vision of mind transfer got thrown into the air, it probably meant that this man simply shifted her effect onto random bats, hence her feeling like it's flying. Similarly, he probably absorbed other animals' chakra to gain their form, which is how he turned into a bat." Sakura speaks her mind. "Uhm.. Ser... Sai? During your time watching him, does he usually stay around nature?"
"Yes, he always seems to avoid villages and always stays in the wild, opting to hang out with animals rather than humans."
"Then his power source probably comes from nature." Sakura thinks. "It's good that civilians is not his target now."
"In that case, we will have to fight him in a desolated area. Perhaps, there are some places where my great-grandfather turned them into ruins?" Sasuke quickly catches up with her and asks lord Yamanaka.
"Yes, my prince. There is House Lapine's old castle that has been abandoned ever since the conquest. It still has its tunnel structure, which could be good for strategic capture."
"That is good. We will lure him there. Your name is Sai right? Can you do it?"
"Of course, your Highness. Please leave it to me."
"Sai can't possibly do it alone, I will go with him." Yurino adds in.
"Very well. I will come to that castle for a strategy. You two will go on my order."
"Yes, your Highness."
"My dear husband, you wouldn't leave out your wife alone right?" Sakura cheerfully smiles at Sasuke, obviously hinting that if he lets her alone he will face consequences. Izumi sees this and quickly covered her smirk with her hand.
"Right, you can go with me to do the planning." Sasuke sighs, admitting defeat.
"Fufu, as I thought so."
~ Author's note: Spotlight of the chapter ~
For this chapter, I want to give spotlight to miss cherrywritesss. She is an absolute incredible writer, and the way she makes words her art is just magnificent. Also, she's just so cool, one of my favourite writers ever xD. Here is miss Cherry's AO3's link, and I must must must must must must must recommend you to read Vortex of Fate, a fantasy AU with incredible writing. Like you can just check out one chapter and you know, she's a real deal. Vortex of Fate is one of those fic where it serves heart wrenching angst, so if that's what you'd like, you will definitely enjoy it.