Believe and Push forward ~ Break the Chains
~ Chapter 21 ~
~ Oasis Village ~
The Garden of the Wellspring Manor~
~Sunset ~
"Tell me, Little Girl", demanded the great monstrosity of a Moon Bear. "What is that you feel?" The strength of his snarl stung Sakuya's ears. The power of his heaving breath grasps against her exposed white jade-like face and neck.
The muzzle of the beast's silky-black fur and glossy white crescent along his neck and shoulders couldn't be a greater contrast to the ferocious mouth of sharp, jagged teeth threatening to bite Sakuya's head clean off her shoulders.
Sakuya wobbles, the terror of her predicament makes her want nothing more than to flee... Flee to the warmth and safety of her brothers. Still, she catches herself. Her Sharingan no longer flickering on and off eraatically. Looking the great creature in the eyes she says solemnly.
"I feel Shame. So much shame, and a great deal of fear. But above all, what I feel in my heart most is that I MUST help them."
Despite her tears, flowing like the rain she calls each evening, Sakuya's convictions shine through. "I can't... I WON'T allow myself to be a hypocrite. NEVER again. I'm begging you, Great Moon Bear, please."
"Help Madara save his brother."
She bows down completely, the deepest display of humility and reverence that Madara has ever witnessed. He looks on at Sakuya prostrating herself, casting aside all her regal dignity. 'She's doing all this for me?' Madara realizes in shock. 'It means this much to her?'
"Please help my friend rescue Izuna in time."
~
Hours earlier, in the same garden
~
"You smell almost as delicious as these pomegranates." declared Ruki. The "tiny" cub of a bear lounging indulgently in the warmth of Sakuya's comfortable lap.
The moon bear's oversized form took up her entire lap and most of the surrounding space within a few good feet. Madara estimates that when standing on his hind legs. the bear would be at least five feet. And a part of Madara is unsure if he should be offended or relieved by the black-furred cub's plainly stated assessment.
"Candy next?" The bear inquired, his impressive maw dripping with red juice so disturbingly like fresh blood.
"Of course you can Sweetheart. I have a batch set aside for the children's shelter tomorrow, but there are plenty of extras. After you finish up these healthier choices, we'll get you some. Sound good?"
"Mm, I think the blueberries candied with honey and rosewater will be just delicious. How about it Ruki?" Sakuya asked kindly.
"Yay! Those are my favotite Misstress! Candy, candy!" Cheering himself on the cub resumes gorging himself on the provided basket of pomegranates.
Madara watches on, equal parts disturbed and fascinated as the "baby bear" puts his powerful paws to crushing the rich red shell of the collected thick-skinned pomegranates, the way Ruki eagerly downs the fleshy juices and seeds within, it's at that moment, Madara decides to let any "Insult" slide.
~
"Three? Oh my, I see, it makes sense why Izuna matters so much to you Madara. You're far stronger willed than I.
"The mere idea of losing even one of my siblings... Yuuki too. I don't think I could go on. It would destroy me." Sakuya murmured.
"It hasn't been easy, but I try to dote on my remaining brother as often as I can." Madara agreed. His thoughts of Izuna have him warm in demeanor.
"No matter how big Izuna gets, he'll always be that little boy clutching my knee." Madara's voice was fond but certain.
~
Accepting the Hawk summons parcel, Madara's expression is impassive.
I hope I'm not being rude, but Izuna wouldn't have sent me anything without due cause."
"Of course, I'm not bothered. There's no need to worry." Sakuya turned her attention back to brushing Ruki's ears, permitting Madara his privacy.
~
"Amatersu's tears" Madara read aloud softly. 'That's not much of a message at- No...'
Sakuya's ears perked slightly, observing him from the side, though he suppressed it masterfully she noticed it all the same. The quick flare of dread, now surely pooling through her friends's being.
~
'Damn it! I how could I let myself get so... complacent?' Madara thought in horror.
' The ceasefire was originally set for three months, but since the deadline passed and we never returned to full-scale offense, I wasn't concerned. One year... Lost. This is my fault.'
'I guess the clan elders on all sides are finished waiting.'
"I take it you need to leave?" Sakuya asked, her voice wavering. As though she wants to say more but is afraid of overstepping.
At his silent nod, she takes in a breath.
Exhaling, Sakuya stands firm. I won't prevent it, but... before you do, May I try something?"
"Please, I... I don't know if it will work, but I want to at least try."
Madara agrees. He is understandably in a hurry, but whatever this girl is attempting could be too good to pass on.
"Thank you Madara." whispered Sakuya. lifting her left hand, she knicks her thumb, the drops of crimson blood trickle down her palm.
"No room for regrets," she whispered under her breath.
Inhaling, Sakuya kneels on the ground, she slams her blood-soaked hand upon the grassy soil. "Summoning technique, Great Moon Bear" her dewdrop voice was unyielding to Madara's ears.
~
The smoke piling before her, Sakuya strains to stand up, the expense of chakra greater than even she anticipated. "I took a chance... At least it worked." She said between gasping breaths.
"Why a summon?" Asked Madara. Before Sakuya could answer, the form before soldifies. A beautiful monstrosity who doesn't seem happy to see either of them, but his scorn for Sakuya could be cut with a kunai.
"You!" The beast said in a roar. "You know very well Little Girl that my Ruki was assigned as a mere courtesy. You have quite the nerve to demand my audience."
Unable to withhold a shudder, Sakuya shivers. She can't suppress it, in her silver eyes, the beginnings of tears are forming.
"I understand Great One. I am every bit the unworthy child today as I was the day I signed your contract."
But I swear on my life, I would not have called you without the most dire justifaction."
"You speak as though you have any say Girl, that is MY call." The great beast stated. His tone left no room for dispute.
"You're right Great One, fundamentally this is an act of selfishness on my part... I just... I CAN"T do nothing! Not when I know people are suffering right beyond my walls."
"On the other side of this continent, a war is waging. People are dying, starved into nothing and here I sit in Oasis, lounging in luxury." Sakuya pleaded.
"I feel like such a hypocrite. Praying for peace through music while looking the other way."
"Sure I pay my keep and our people are happy, well fed, and generally healthy... I know we also in every injured we can find, but I KNOW there is more I could be offering."
This is my friend Madara, right now his brother is... He's in such danger. I dare not leave Oasis myself, the weather is nowhere close to stable. We only barely qualify as a "savanna" now, Should I venture off for too long, the desert sands will surely return."
"But I know I can still help."
"Tell me, Little Girl", demanded the great monstrosity of a Moon Bear. "What is that you feel?" The strength of his snarl stung Sakuya's ears. The power of his heaving breath grasps against her exposed white jade-like face and neck.
The muzzle of the beast's silky-black fur and glossy white crescent along his neck and shoulders couldn't be a greater contrast to the ferocious mouth of sharp, jagged teeth threatening to bite Sakuya's head clean off her shoulders.
Sakuya wobbles, the terror of her predicament makes her want nothing more than to flee... Flee to the warmth and safety of her brothers. Still, she catches herself. Looking the great creature in the eyes she says solemnly.
"I feel Shame. So much shame, and a great deal of fear. But above all, what I feel in my heart most is that I MUST help them. Many options don't require me to physically leave this place, I can help end the suffering innocents."
Despite her tears, flowing like the rain she calls down each evening, Sakuya's convictions shine through. "I can't... I WON'T allow myself to be a hypocrite. NEVER again. I'm begging you, Great Moon Bear, please. I'll pay ANY price. My own life if need be."
The Great Moon Bear scoffs, "Did you not just state that in your absence the Oasis would vanish? So much for conviction." His tone was derisive.
Just as Madara fears the creature is about to devour her, Sakuya can't restrain a quiver yet still she speaks even more firmly. "It's regrettable. But the price of ignoring those in need is too high. If my brothers cannot carry on without me then Oasis was never meant to last." Madara is both impressed by the sincerity in his friend's voice and disturbed by the potential implications.
"Please, Great One, help Madara save his brother."
She bows down completely, the deepest display of humility and reverence that Madara has ever witnessed. He looks on at Sakuya prostrating herself, casting aside all her regal dignity. 'She's doing all this for me?' Madara realizes in shock. 'It means this much to her?'
"Please. Lend me your power. Please help my friend rescue Izuna in time."
~
The great bear roars again. Sakuya stares up unflinching. Her tears still pouring but Sakuya's newfound resolve is as firm as the most tempered steel. "I have made my choice. If you want my life than take it. Just please help him." She nods at Madara, who has no idea how to react.
His muzzle spreads wide, and the giant Moon Bear swipes himself down. Instead of chomping as Madara feared, he exposes his ears. Hesitantly Sakuya extends a hand. Just as she did for Ruki earlier she pets the ruffled black fur smooth.
"You have grown well." The beast said, his tone now surprisingly warm.
Though you are not yet worthy, you are closer than I believed possible. Pressing his nose against the girl's tear-stained face, he sighs exaggeratedly.
"Very well, I shall allow this favor. You may call me Daiki, Lord of the Moon Bears."
~
"Thank you. Thank you so very much." Sakuya's relief is palpable.
Turning to Madara, her tears are drying and she clears her throat. "Madara Uchiha. Allow me to present Daiki. Great Lord of Moon Bear clan."
Her tone is still formal, and Sakuya elaborates further. "He has graciously agreed to see you home. A journey that would take anyone days, even at full speed and no breaks. His grace will have you home in but a few hours."
"I am most grateful for his help." Madara managed.
~
At the gate outside, Daiki grows even bigger. His appearance thoroughly dwarfs even the grandest stone construction Oasis has to offer, Daiki is an impossible sight to miss.
"Let's get this over with human," Daiki said flatly.
"Oh wait just a moment, Sakuya said quickly. "There's something more. Please forgive me, I'll be but a moment."
As Sakuya darts off, presumably back to the manor, Madara sighs. 'Every minute counts, but I suppose with my... transportation, I can spare a few.'
...
The minutes come and go. After roughly fifteen, Madara is anxious. "Izuna needs me, perhaps we should just go now?" He asked the great bear carefully.
"Why bother, "your" maiden is already on her way back."
"You put a suspicious amount of unneeded emphasis-" Madara was interrupted by a familiar voice, sweet and soft.
"Apologies for my delay. The emergency medical supplies were already together but I couldn't find a basket- Not one big enough with a secure lid."
She hands him two distictly different packages, one a dark brown, satchel, presumably containg the aforementioned medical supplies. Bandages and disinfectant creams, the usual emergency pack.
Sakuya speaks plainly. "I settled for these silk wrappings and tie, it will keep the apples and softer fruit safe for your rough journey...
"Anyway, these are for you and Izuna but I ask you please don't hesitate to share them with your injured clansmen."
"Oh?" That's kind of you Sakuya." Though his hurry is sincere and Madara appreciates the thought, he senses a second layer to Sakuya's words. "Did you mean anything specific?"
Sakuya looks down for but a moment, halting her fret, she looks him in the eye. "It's irrelevant. At least for now. Please just feed what you can to the injured."
"For anyone who can't open their mouth without aid, the juice from the grapes and strawberries will be enough. Now go! And please plant the seeds somewhere safe."
~
Observing the tender sight at the gate, Shiro is thoroughly entertained.
' Well, well, well! Would you look at that?' He thought in amusement. Ever so pleased he and Kyou managed to witness even part of the dramatic confrontation.
He could do without the lingering presence of Wagamaru Uzumaki, but well... ' You win some you lose some.'
' Father is in complete awe of Sakuya and our favorite "potential" psycho must have proven himself capable of winning over allies and inspiring devotion... Even without being broken down by nightmarish trauma and psychological agony.
Good for him. Good for everyone but especially me and Reiji. And I suppose now Father.'
'Oh, but speaking of that foolish little brother' he thought with affection, Reiji will be utterly thrilled his desired "collaboration" with Madara is back on the table.'
' As for the other detail... Worry not Mother, I am not like your "treacherous two", and neither is Reiji. There is no betrayal over some farmer with a nice face here. No betrayal at all, I promise, we remain your "New Moon".
Unlike those despicable, short-sighted traitors, I WILL NOT allow this inescapable... Need? Desire? Whatever, I won't permit this feeling to see Father proud interfere.... It won't affect anything at all. '
Once White Zetsu, then Shiroyuki of Oasis, now "Shiro Uzumaki", his spiraling thoughts went unnoticed. Both by Kyou Uzumaki and the delighted Inspector Wagamaru.
"She is a daughter to be proud of Kyou. You as well Young Master. You and Lord Reiji have done a marvelous job bringing her up."
The voice of Waagamaru congratulating both Kyou Uzumaki and "Lord Shiro" his new "young master" for their accomplished Sakuya is only barely registered by either man.
Their father is too occupied to respond properly. Distracted by his thoughts of honor and gratification in both heart and mind.
Though Wagamaru Uzumaki is just happy with this first-hand account, Kyou is emboldened all the more. His satisfaction of knowing for sure...
' I can do this. I can be their father. It won't be easy, but We CAN be happy together.' Kyou thought eagerly. This will work.'
The comfort from the absolute certainty that it's HIS blood flowing through the three Wellspring sibling's veins...
' And I don't blame Kyou- Father. We truly are of his blood and at the end of the day, as our father, he has a degree of "power" (Legal and emotional) over us and all our accomplishments. Thought Shiro.
Quite frankly, accepting us comes too many positives, for both him as a man and the people of the Uzumaki clan as a whole...'