Rippling Tides ~ New Moon

~ Chapter 24 ~

~ The Heart of Uchiha Territory - The main manor ~

"What are you doing up? Back in your futon Izuna!" ordered Madara. "The doctor said you need to rest."

Izuna responds calmly, "No Brother, he said that to Kagami, I have a full clean-" Noting his brother's gaze Izuna relents. "Fine."

"Oh Izuna, don't be like that," Madara said gently. His tenor voice was parental and brotherly all at once.

"I made your favorite okayu porridge. With chicken stock, I just need to slice the green onion from Mother's garden and it will be ready for you to sip." Madara's tone was so affectionate and full of concern Izuna couldn't bring himself to complain.

' It's not so bad... being looked after.' He conceded inward.

"Alright, but can we bring some to Kagami too?" Izuna haggled.

"Of course." assured his brother. "I need to collect the doctor's report on the mysterious "chakra fruit" anyway so I'll make time. I'm most eager to see how it affected the other patients at the hospital," said Madara enthusiastically.

"Just as well, we also confirmed Hashriama didn't authorize the assault on our territory but I suppose that only raises more questions." said Izuna frowning.

"I know Little Brother, it seemed out of character so it's nice to know... Still, this isn't over. It doesn't help that... bear may have made things worse. I should have known it was too good to be true."

"Building a home here indeed... I thought he was being metaphorical, not making a declaration of ownership. I get this land is valuable, the Moon Bears aren't wrong to want it... but we don't need another claimant."

"Don't get me wrong, better their trouble than ours, but Daiki choosing the Senju's side of the river for his "nap" caused a lot of damage. More than my fireballs did to the assailants.

Madara frowns at the thought. "At least the rouge invaders are all dead. Good riddance. They aren't worth the carbon in their miserable ashes." said Madara. All but spitting.

Curling into his warm futon, Izuna concurs. "Right, I still don't get it, Brother. It was kind of him to bring you back so fast but at the same time this Daiki's actions in Senju territory will surely bite us in the rear."

Handing his brother the large spoon, Madara is calm. "You let me worry about that. Just rest up. I know you weren't physically injured, but face it, last night left a toll on you. My baby brother needs to recover his innocent heart." He said. Madara's tone was teasing but not out of line.

Sipping the steaming hot rice porridge with caution, Izuna's red lips tense. "An "innocent heart" huh? Kagami implied the same, but I'm not sure I agree..." Izuna's words were uncertain.

"Last night I wanted nothing more than to bleed those Nara and Aburame alive. Look at me and tell me those are thoughts of an "innocent"."

His guilt for the dark urge is bothering him and Madara knows he can't allow it to stick.

Placing a firm hand on Izuna's shoulder, Madara speaks as soothingly as possible.

"I beg you, please don't be silly Izuna. Your heart is not at fault. It's understandable, our blood will ALWAYS call for justice. So long as you remember the context, even our worst impulses can be a source of salvation...

"Albeit a small one that shouldn't be relied on too heavily." His words are both stern yet ever so gentle on Izuna's ears.

"They attacked us here in our own home... (supposedly) rogue... Still by definition of "rogue" they were acting unlawfully and without authorization, I firmly believe any retribution on our end is more than deserved.

"So long as we make sure not to take it out on the undeserving, there is no such thing as "too far" Madara said matter-factly.

Although Madara's words were passionately spoken and exactly what his brother needed to hear, Izuna couldn't bring himself to respond. He only nodded in despondent silence.
~

~Oasis - the Children's Shelter ~

Wagamaru Uzumaki, age twenty-seven is seated with the children.

Technically speaking, now that his Uncle Kyou is going to be alright, Wagamaru knows he should be heading back to Uzushio soon. Putting it mildly, his month in Oasis has been... absurdly captivating.

What's more, he understands this month of continuous direct exposure to Sakuya's abundance of Yang chakra upon his person has been such an uplifting sensation he really isn't looking forward to leaving it behind.

' And all these years I was proud of my ability to heal others by letting them bite my chakra points...'

'This method through fruit is far more gracefull. Not to mention the physical effects of long term consumption are downright astounding.

' Really, I mean I saw the matron. Ten years or so of this and she looks nothing like "the Firebird" at her final aria...

' She was always glorious, but Ryoko has to be at least sixty years old, yet seeing her today... she looks perhaps thirty. And that's a generous overestimate!

' This Yang Chakra... It's energizing and grounding all at once... Almost like I could take on the world and have energy to spare. ' ~

~ Perhaps it's childish but he doesn't want any of this to end and thankfully Lady Sakuya has agreed to keep him occupied for the day.

Having managed not to make a complete fool of himself in front of "the" Lady Ryoko, a former opera juggernaught, now kind matron of the Oasis children's shelter. She agreed, allowing her favorite pupil Sakuya (a former resident of said children's home) to bring him around for the day.

At this moment, Wagamaru can see that within each child's small hand is a glass brimming with delicious chilled juice.

They are watching in gleeful, giggling excitement as their "Wellspring Maiden" performs her weekly aria just for them.

Currently, Sakuya's elaborate coloratura soprano trills and fluid, swaying, bird like movements are accompanied by a cheery, dynamic melody that has them all at the edge of their freshly cleaned cushions.

As Sakuya pitches her voice down a touch, transitioning to a warmer but still soft and impressively dramatic soprano, it occurs to Wagamaru how fortunate he is to be witnessing this moment.

Looking in Sakuya's silver eyes, her doe-like expressions hold no deceit.

The delicate pink petals born of Wood Release cascade mischievously around her ethereal, delicate form, and Wagamaru knows he could watch the sight of Sakuya with these children forever and not get bored.

' She wasn't kidding. This morning at the manor, when Sakuya said her life belonged to the children of this village, I thought she was being mellow-dramatic. Or at least performative.

' No one could be so selfless, just another wealthy brat putting on airs of generosity...

' Surely it was said to make a good impression on Lord Kyou.'

' That's what I thought, but here, I see it in her soul clear as day. She truly wants to be for them what this Lord Raizen was to her, Shiro and Reiji. Their adoptive father must have been an impressive soul indeed.'

' I watched as she scrubbed her hands raw helping them clean this place, cellar to surface without complaint, clearly exhausted yet still having enough patience to go all out like this. It's impressive. My job is exhausting enough, I can't imagine doing all this too.'

"I'll softly trace the shape of your heart, Now I've learned, I'll never part. Forever you hold my heart."

' Uncle Kyou should be here. Shiro too, but he had business with a representative from Wind's capital. Until the remaining brother Reiji returns I assume he'll be extra busy. I still wonder what he meant by "Village of Clouds".

The letter Reiji's Sand Cat summon delivered this morning... it said something about "their budding forces" not representing a sufficient threat to Oasis because they quote: "can't even kidnap little girls without embarrassing failure".

' Surely a weird metric to judge a probable enemy faction by, but what do I know? thought Wagamaru. Thus far his confusion and curiosity have been un-indulged by Lord Shiro.

'He said it was enough I be allowed to read it... Perhaps it's a code? I can understand it's not my business but come on! Keeping me hanging is just rude.

' What is especially certain here is that Lord Reiji's message means something important and I- Oh wow that's really pretty. What a marvelous sound. '

His attention returning to the little stage, Sakuya's song reaches its final verses.

"In the silence of the night, I wished, hands held out, to the moon I prayed. A mysterious dream, bathed in moonlight's gentlest cascade,

"A sweet, sincere emotion was carved upon my soul. My hands held out, to the moon I prayed... the fates smiled down, Awakening to the silence of night, my deepest wish bestowed."

"Dreams eternally entwined, forever blessed... Here is my heart!"

' That final note...' Wagamaru couldn't resist counting... Just as he did all those years before at Lady Ryoko's final performance.

'Wow, the delayed momentum paid off in full! Seventeen seconds sustained plus an incredible octave jump... More of a leap really, but the rhythm... I get it now, so beautiful.'

' I'd be tempted to say she's showing off those exquisitely developed lungs, but Sakuya made it look so very easy. Not even an inconvenience on her energy.

' And I see how the children so clearly adore it all.

They almost seem to expect it. I suppose all this spectacle and finesse is normal for them.' reflected Wagamaru to himself.

He claps every bit as enthusiastically as the gathered children.

~
Just as Wagamaru believes their time at the Children's shelter is at an end, a little boy approaches Sakuya. She greets him with a fond grin.

Noting the well cared for tambourine in his hand Wagamaru has an inkling of what the kid desires. He settles himself back in to continue observing.

He can't hear the entire conversation, but from what snippets Wagamaru picked up, the boy is named Keito.

A fairly recent arrival to the shelter and due to his young age Sakuya is especially indulgent towards him. "Alright Little One, for you," said Sakuya brightly.

Planting a chaste kiss on Keito's forehead she accepts the offered instrument and heads back toward the shelter little stage.

Holding the boy's hand, Sakuya said just loud enough for Wagamaru to overhear, "It would be my privilege to borrow your mother's tambourine Keito."

Wagamaru notes her waning energy, but with that determined expression on Sakuya's face, he keeps silent. 'Best not to interfere.'

As the man called Rasa plays a lively, radiant melody the surrounding children clap to the beat. Sakuya glides through an impressive technical variation. A dance involving complex pointe work and highly precise arm coordination.

She strides boldly across the flooring in rhythmic turns, with charm and finesse Sakuya claps the tambourine at various points of her body.

Never missing a beat, to the tips of her outstretched toes, her shoulders, hips, and knees. Even through the heels of her feet and elbows, the tap of the tambourine keeps in thrilling rhythm.

Through repetition, her ballet-esque movements continue on for a few short moments before finally ending in a fascinating pose.

Again it dawns on Wagamaru that Sakuya has gone through it all without deploying so much as a speck of her chakra upon her body.

"I think I get it, she has it "rooted" to Oasis soil. Maintaining this green can't be easy on her reserves... Her efficiency is superb but I can hardly blame her for using what little she has left sparingly." deduced Wagamaru.

Despite exerted strain along with the fact she must surely want to collapse, Sakuya maintains her beaming smile. Visibly charmed and delighted to know she has offered this orphaned child a captivating glimpse of his deceased mother's cherished art.

"I'm happy to see you're so pleased Keito" Sakuya said to the boy. Ruffling his hair, her affection radiates off her entire being for all to see.

' Even with my Chakra augmenting my stamina I could never do all of this' Wagmaru realized. 'It's too much. The fatigue would be utterly unbearable. '

'It's great this Keito is so happy and I'm all for seeing a child smile, but just watching that final display makes me want to go to bed.'

~

Placing down her glass, half full of sweet, yellow apple juice, Sakuya is uncertain whether she heard Wagamaru correctly.

"Pardon?" she asked Wagamaru carefully.

"Oh, I said congratulations. That what you did for Keito was beautiful, a touching gesture that surely honored his parents. Just be aware that in the process you may very well have "ruined" the boy for life."

The bluntness of her father's protege caught Sakuya thoroughly off guard. 'What does he mean by that?'

"How do you mean Wagamaru? Keito is an incredibly sweet, gentle boy, I'm sure in time-"

"See that's what I mean Sakuya." Wagamaru's skeptical tone isn't patronizing per se, and Sakuya truly doesn't understand what he is getting at.

"I say this with all due respect Sakuya, but in Little Keito's eyes, you have officially established an impossibly high bar.

A "precedent" that no "ordinary" girl his age can begin to achieve. In going so far above and beyond "just for him", you set a standard that will be... difficult for the boy to set aside."

"We're talking romance now? Wagamaru that's just preposterous, he is barely seven. I assure you, sweet Keito hasn't a romantic inclination in his entire body." Sakuya said assuringly.

Sakuya's companion shakes his head at her pityingly.

"You are naive Sakuya. Im not looking down on you, it's understandable. You lack life experience... As do I, but trust me here.

"I mean sure, I concede that right NOW Keito isn't thinking about such things.

"But make no mistake, at the back of his cute little head, you left an impression.

" A direct bar that will serve as the very foundation of what he comes to expect in his future romantic partner."

"Like I said, congratulations Lady Sakuya, you've set him on a path that will lead him to develop unrealistic expectations. And those "expectations" will present an unfair burden on anyone eventually interested in him."

"Not everyone can be so self-sacrificing. Certainly not with such a kind smile."

Though Wagamaru's words disturb her, a part of Sakuya isn't so sure she agrees.

"So what was I to do? Let him rot in pain? Keito is a child. A precious little one who needed comfort.

"Comfort I was both willing and capable of offering him. I hardly singled him out, I do the same for them all.

"His beautiful smile along with the other children's... that makes it all worth it. I won't regret my choice."

Stretching her shoulders, she takes another quiet sip of the revitalizing apple juice.

It's after a moment of reflection, Sakuya realizes part of her does actually concede Wagamaru's point. If only a little.

"You have a point... Cousin.

"Yes, I am very tired and yes it was extremely taxing to indulge him so unexpectedly...

Call it "self-sacrifice" if you must, but even so, after receiving such an uplifting reward... A memory I'll always treasure, I just can't bring myself to regret it."

"You misunderstand, I am not saying you should regret it. More suggesting that in the future you could stand to be more mindful of your actions.

" Not just for my uncle's sake Sakuya, but your own.

"Your father once told me, to remember that even good intentions leave an impact and they can't always be positive.

"Like it or not, we can't control how others perceive our actions. All we can do is live with the consequences. No matter what they may entail."

At his vaguely ominous words, Sakuya's lips bend down in a frown.

Swallowing down the rest of her juice, she knows Wagamaru likely means well, but his... shall we say, "unique" brand of forewarning has given her much to contemplate.