NARUTO: Madasaku - Untitled WIP (Secret Royalty AU) [Part Sixteen]

[moor]

Summary: 
The Wild. Long ago, the power that ruled the earth and everything on it created order and meaning, cycles to preserve balance and harmony. The checks and balances put in place ensured that power would never be used beyond equivalent advantage. Over time, the Wild produced Sources, entities through which the Wild could be channelled in times of need. During a battle to defend their Kingdom, the leader of the Uchiha summoned the Wild. In doing so, another channelled and became bound by the Wild to balance his power. This is their story. 

Content Warning: A/B/O

Part One - The Senju and the Uchiha

Part Two - The Battle [first battle] | Part Three - The Battle [continued]

Part Four - The Secret [first secret] | Part Five - The Secret [continued] | Part Six - The Secret [continued] | Part Seven - The Secret [continued]

Part Eight - The Underground | Part Nine - The Underground [continued] | Part Ten - The Underground [continued] | Part Eleven - The Underground [continued] | Part Twelve - The Underground [continued] | Part Thirteen - The Underground [continued] | Part Fourteen - The Underground [continued] | Part Fifteen - The Underground [continued] | Part Sixteen - The Underground [continued]

• Gorgeous fanart by tumblr users sarcastic-mommy and sayurinomoe!

The Underground [continued]

That night, Madara heard a new knock on the spy passage into his room. When he opened the door, the tunnel was empty. He narrowed his eyes as he studied the empty corridor, turning back to his room—until an envelope at his feet caught his notice.

The moment he touched it, his eyes widened. He recognized the chakra that imbued the paper and ink.

Again he searched the dark spy tunnel, but there was no one there.

Closing the concealed entrance, he returned to his bed, lighting an extra lantern.

Then, his heart thrumming in his chest, he opened the letter with steady hands.

From the very first words, he was captivated. 

To my mate…

The air rushed from his lungs.

She acknowledged him.

The content was brief, but it was hours later before he set the letter down. An additional note, almost a postscript, was attached to the letter. The handwriting was different, and Madara assumed it to be that of Yamanaka. The combination of the two letters had Madara ready to tear out of his castle and track them down himself that very night but he held himself back. Yamanaka’s note had been very specific. He couldn’t change his behaviour now or lead anyone to Sakura and Yu until the matter with the poisoner was resolved. It was too dangerous to bring more attention to them.

When he finally closed his eyes that night, Madara reflected upon the notes. The confession and explanation from Sakura. The caution from Yamanaka. He burned with the need to see Sakura and Yu, to explain himself in return. The restlessness kept him awake for hours.

He would write them back tomorrow, he decided. 

And yet, in spite of the restlessness, a determined smile broke through his expression as he exhaled long and deep. Withdrawing the blue baby blanket that he’d saved under his pillow, Madara draped it over his face and let his imagination wander as the last remnants of the scents of Sakura and Yu lingered in the soft material.

Tsunade, Mikoto and Itachi had chosen well.

In a single day, Yamanaka had worked magic.

***

The next morning, Sakura looked up at Sasuke as he lay a missive on the breakfast table beside her seat. To Sakura’s right, Yu ate his breakfast… as best he could manage with his hands and spoon. On Yu’s other side, Kakashi occasionally ‘helped’ by wiping down the worst of the messes.

“What? Itachi leaves and you suddenly realise you can’t handle acting like a gentleman on your own?” asked Ino, sitting to the left of Sakura, away from Yu the Master of Disaster at the table.

Sasuke frowned at Ino and turned back to Sakura.

“It’s from my mother. She would like your assistance, but it will involve travel outside Konoha. The details are in the scroll,” explained Sasuke.

In the middle of reaching for the scroll, Sakura’s hand slowed. She looked up at Sasuke, her brows furrowed. 

“You’ll need to leave Yu here,” said Sasuke, reading the expression on Sakura’s face. “It will be at least a week.”

Sakura’s gaze fell on Yu, who was trying to offer some of his mashed banana slices to Kakashi (who politely pretended to eat them while hiding them behind his hand; this delighted Yu, who excitedly offered Kakashi more, much to Kakashi’s chagrin). 

Picking up the scroll, Sakura read through the instructions and reviewed the map carefully. 

“It’s from both your mother and Tsunade,” read Sakura. “We need to inspect the herbalist suppliers. She’s also sending a few of her own students out, but the more specialised ones she wants me to interview. It doesn’t look dangerous. Why can’t I bring Yu?”

“There’s a risk you could be followed,” said Ino gently, before Sasuke could reply. “And if you’re travelling with Yu, it puts both of you at risk. It also slows you down.”

“It won’t slow me down much. I’m used to working and training with him,” said Sakura. “When Itachi was training me, I always wore Yu on me in a sling or carrier.”

“Itachi was also very careful since he knew you had Yu on you,” said Sasuke.

At that, Sakura straightened and began squaring up to fight Sasuke. Sensing the oncoming battle, Ino slid in, gently breaking the line of sight between Sakura and Sasuke.

“You aren’t used to working and training with a toddler,” said Ino. “Yu hasn’t joined you for training in a few weeks. He doesn’t know how to sit still for that long anymore. Travelling with him won’t be fun. He already fusses now that he wants to walk. And he’s still swaddled. You would need to make frequent stops to change him, and find places to wash his soiled clothes. I’m not saying never again; but for this particular trip, it really is best that he stay here.”

Conflicted, Sakura looked up at Kakashi, her eyes pleading.

On either side of Sakura, Ino and Sasuke bore down meaningfully on Kakashi, too. The atmosphere turned oppressive for the silver-haired assassin.

“You haven’t had a day off in months,” hedged Kakashi. “You could look at this like a little vacation. You haven’t been able to travel since you arrived back in Konoha, have you?”

“How about if we make it a girls trip? There are a few really nice onsen out near this area,” suggested Ino, looking over the map and pointing to a more mountainous region.

“I have to go, too,” began Sasuke, but Ino pushed on.

“And there’s that really nice tea and dango shop over here. You could get something special for someone,” hinted Ino, her tone light and persuasive.

Sakura bit her bottom lip, looking at Kakashi and Yu, her heart torn.

“Dango shop?” asked Sasuke, suddenly leaning over Ino’s shoulder in interest to study the map.

“And if you really don’t want Sasuke to join us, I’m sure we could convince Mikoto that Itachi is a better fit for the job,” said Ino earnestly, casually elbowing Sasuke in the gut to get him to shut up. “I know you and Itachi share more in common.”

“I’m right here,” growled Sasuke, sucking air through grit teeth. His arms wrapped around his wounded middle.

“Naruto will be back this afternoon. He will stay here to help with Yu,” promised Kakashi. “There is nothing for you to worry about here. Do what you need to do, Sakura. You’re the only one who can, since Tsunade is watched too carefully to risk leaving Konoha again.”

Still Sakura wavered, her eyes falling on Yu.

“He won’t forget you,” promised Kakashi, leaning closer to Sakura and looking deep into her guilty eyes. “He’ll be here waiting for you as soon as you come home. He’ll be safe.”

“Don’t let him have any big milestones while I’m away. He’s going to walk on his own any day now, I know it,” insisted Sakura. 

Kakashi chuckled and swept his hand down Sakura’s cheek. A hint of pheromones leaked from his fingers, and Sakura’s eyes darkened, her lips parting on a silent exhale of relief. At his touch, Sakura immediately softened, calming.

“Not until you get back,” vowed Kakashi. “Which means you need to get ready as soon as you can and move as fast as you can while you’re away.”

Leaning into Kakashi’s touch, Sakura nodded, her smile gentle.

“Thank you, Kakashi.”

He chuckled, tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear, beneath her head wrap.

“The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be home again,” he murmured encouragingly, smiling at her in return from behind his mask.

“As soon as Naruto arrives this afternoon, we’ll head out,” agreed Sakura, turning to Ino and Sasuke in turn. “Could you let Itachi know, please?”

“I’m the one who—”

Behind Sakura, Ino made a ‘polishing her elbow’ gesture at Sasuke, glaring at him. 

“I’ll go see if he can. He’s working at the castle again. He may not be available,” said Sasuke tightly, obviously making excuses. He pushed in his seat and turned to the front entrance to leave.

“Then find someone like him,” said Ino, hands on her hips. “We need someone friendly or it’ll make this twice as hard and twice as long.”

Sakura, on her way to wipe Yu’s mouth, stiffened and turned back to Ino and Sasuke. Her eyes were wide with concern, her bottom lip pouting.

“So we’ll get a sweetheart like Itachi instead,” gushed Ino suddenly, smiling reassuringly at Sakura. She spun on her heel to glare at Sasuke. “Right?”

With a heavy sigh, Sasuke muttered something under his breath and left.

“Friendly! Personable! Polite!” yelled Ino after Sasuke, haranguing him all the way out the door. “Hot wouldn’t hurt either!”

Sakura shook her head as Ino continued yelling at Sasuke.

At the tender touch on her cheek, Sakura turned wide eyes back to Kakashi.

Kakashi stood from his seat, leaning all the way over Yu, and pressed his clothed lips to Sakura’s brow. Her senses immediately re-arranged themselves at his touch, her chest releasing its tension. In that intimate instant Sakura felt a hundred times more ready and focused.

“Ino won’t let anything get in the way,” said Kakashi confidently and softly, cupping her cheek. He pulled away just far enough to hold Sakura’s gaze with his own. “You focus on what you need to do. Ino and whatever Uchiha goes with you will make sure you complete your trip in record time. Your job is to check the medicine lines. And you’re the best person to do it. Lead by example and I’ll—we’ll be waiting for you here when you return. We’re going to be fine.”

Cupping her hand around Kakashi’s at her cheek, Sakura smiled and squeezed Kakashi’s fingers.

“I’ll pack after breakfast,” breathed Sakura, still caught in Kakashi’s gaze.

“Ah,” he whispered.

Their fingers lingered in each other’s grasp, before they finally separated.

As they finished their breakfast, Ino returned soon after to eat her own and review the scroll Sakura left on the table. Together the women planned their itinerary. Ino did add the occasional onsen visit or shopping sidetrip, in spite of Sakura’s fretting. Kakashi took Yu to the bathroom to clean him up, then to the rear yard to play in the grass together so the women could work undisturbed.

“Hopefully Sasuke brings back someone with better social skills,” said Ino, shaking her head. “I don’t know how Mikoto lets him out of the house.”

“Up until you arrived, he was Itachi’s shadow,” said Sakura, adding a note to their itinerary with a few extra shopping items to get for the clinics she ran. “I think the intention was for him to learn from his older brother.”

“Well he needs to be returned to the nest before he goes solo,” said Ino.

The blond leaned over the shopping list, travel destinations, and expected routes that they had drafted on separate papers and laid out beside the scroll.

Ino’s silence caught Sakura’s attention after a few minutes.

“What are you thinking?” asked Sakura suspiciously, fidgeting.

“Nothing,” said Ino. “Just… an interesting choice of souvenirs to get. And where we’ll need to go to get them.”

A knowing grin hinted slyly at the corners of Ino’s lips. “You know, you can get those types of things here, too. You don’t need to travel that far—”

Sakura’s cheeks burned and she flipped the paper over.

“That’s not why I’m going there,” said Sakura quickly.

“Mmm, not at all,” agreed Ino, mischief lighting her eyes. “You know he’ll be aware of when you use it, right?”

Sakura paled so suddenly that Ino burst out laughing.

“OK, we’re heading there anyway, now, because you need to learn more about your bond, if only to protect yourself,” chuckled Ino, shaking her head. “I just don’t know why Tsunade didn’t teach you more.”

Sakura’s shoulders slumped.

“I wasn’t ready to listen,” she admitted quietly. “I thought I would have more time before it became an issue.”

Leaning back in her chair, Ino sighed before bending forward and propping her elbow on the table, resting her chin in her palm. She looked at Sakura, fond amusement shining in her azure eyes.

“Let’s clear up a few of those misunderstandings while we’re away,” offered Ino. “Because you could be having the time of your life right now if you were with your mate, Sakura. You're holding yourself back…” Ino shook her head gently, but in sympathy rather than reproach. “We’ll get you to embrace your nature yet. When you do, you’ll find yourself a hundred times happier.”

Her smile grateful, if uncomfortable, Sakura nodded at Ino.

Of course, a wicked glint entered Ino’s eyes when she added,

“And then you’re giving me the details of just how thoroughly the king fucking rawed you.”

“INO.”

“You could barely stand!” crowed Ino, smacking the table.

Hiding behind her hands, Sakura trembled and burned with embarrassment.

“Just… can we…. Pack…. Trip….” begged Sakura, trying to melt into the floor and disappear. 

Ino laughed harder.

***

That afternoon, inside the main entrance to Sakura’s mansion, Ino looked down at the messenger’s most recent note and frowned. She adjusted her pack on her shoulders and looked behind her. It was a disaster. Sakura was kissing Yu goodbye in Kakashi’s arms, trying not to be a blubbering mess and failing. It was embarrassing. You’d think Sakura was going off on a suicide mission rather than inspecting fields of medicinal plants and maybe a specialty shop or two. (Ino had plans for her best friend. For her best friend’s own good, of course, and not at all Ino’s personal entertainment. Really.)

For his part, Naruto had given Sakura a quick hug and wished her well before giving her money and a note to pick up something nice for his girlfriend, if she had time. He, at least, had the good sense not to linger and draw out the painful parting.

With a shake of her head, Ino cocked her hip and crossed her arms.

“Any time now,” Ino called to Sakura.

“And mommy loves you very much, and you be good for Kakashi and Naruto, and eat all your vegetables, and—”

Rolling her eyes, Ino marched over to Sakura and grabbed her by the back of her collar.

“Kiss the baby!” ordered Ino, shoving Sakura at Yu. Sakura just barely finished her last kiss before Ino jerked her back.

“Kiss the boyfriend!” ordered Ino next, shoving Sakura at Kakashi.

Kakashi and Sakura froze.

Ino shook Sakura’s collar menacingly and Sakura blushed.
But Kakashi just chuckled, running his nose along Sakura’s cheek before leaning down and kissing her sweetly on the neck. When Sakura felt his lips on her throat rather than the soft material of his mask, she swallowed a small gasp, her knees going weak. Instinctively she grabbed for his shirt to support herself, her fingers digging into the soft cotton.

“Be safe,” whispered Kakashi against the sensitive shell of her ear. Then he drew back to smile at her softly. His mask dragged achingly slowly along the soft skin of her cheek, leaving his scent on her intentionally.

Wide-eyed, Sakura just nodded.

“Kiss this house goodbye, we need to go get our rental Uchiha,” ordered Ino, yanking Sakura away from Kakashi and shoving her toward the door.

Behind them, Sakura just barely had time to wave as Kakashi grinned at them and waved goodbye with Yu in his arms.

As soon as the women were outside, Ino hustled Sakura along as quickly as they dared without drawing attention.

“Why are we rushing?” asked Sakura, easily keeping pace with Ino. They both carried heavy packs. Fortunately, both had maintained their training and had balanced their supplies carefully to avoid fatigue.

“We’re meeting someone new,” said Ino. “Sasuke did talk to his mother, thankfully. I’m just not as familiar with this particular Uchiha. I want to get a good look at him before we engage.”
“Is he part of the Underground?” asked Sakura, mindful of the volume of her voice. She glanced around them but no one paid them any mind.

Still, neither was overly comfortable remaining visible in public. 

“He’s not part of the Underground but he is part of the Royal Family,” said Ino. “He often partners up with Itachi. They’re known for being a very effective team.”

Ino huffed lightly in amusement. “I think Mikoto chose him based on the qualities I yelled at Sasuke when he fled this morning,” admitted Ino, irony on her tongue.

“So Sasuke’s not coming with us this time?” asked Sakura.

Ino shook her head.

“No. He’s too much of a liability. He’s too full of himself and looks down on those around him. It would have been a disaster if we had to rely on him to get information from people. Unless it involved sleeping with them, which, even then, who knows how good he would be,” said Ino with a shrug. 

Sakura swallowed, her brows furrowed.

“Mikoto really did raise an heir and a spare,” said Ino. “And the quality varied.”

“Do… can you get in trouble for saying that about him?” asked Sakura curiously. She had made it a point not to speak disparagingly about others in the Underground. In her role, she never knew when she would need to heal or spy on someone herself.

Ino shook her head. “I wouldn’t say it around his mother but Sasuke knows I don’t think much of him. And after a talk Kakashi had with him, he also knows that I’m more skilled than he is.”

“Kakashi spoke to Sasuke?” asked Sakura as she and Ino ducked into a storefront that doubled as an entrance to the Underground tunnels. Sakura nodded to the shopkeep and left a few coins for her as she passed. 

Ino nodded at Sakura’s question.

“Remember me mentioning how Sasuke thought he was better than everyone else?” said Ino.

“Mmmm.” Sakura nodded.

Ino turned a serene smile on Sakura, her tongue touching the top of her lip.

“Well… Let’s just say that Kakashi had an enlightening conversation with him. All over the back yard, from what I heard.”

Sakura’s right eye twitched in irritation but she just sighed. The fight mustn’t have been too bad, if they kept quiet about it. Sakura shook her head and shook out her limbs to clear her mind. She was restless that morning.

“What did Itachi do?” asked Sakura. This fight was news to her. She rolled her shoulders; they had probably kept the argument from her so she wouldn’t worry about them.

“He let them be. If Kakashi made a move out of line, he would have stepped in but Itachi and Kakashi used to work together. They know each other pretty well,” said Ino.

Sakura nodded, following Ino’s lead through the tunnels. Half an hour later, after climbing up the tunnels near the castle foundation, Ino slowed their pace. Sakura, however, wanted to press on. 

“Whoa. We’re going to meet him in the tunnels,” said Ino, clutching Sakura’s sleeve. She turned to face Sakura directly, her eyes serious in the semi-darkness. “You are not to go above ground in this area. It’s too close to the castle.”

Sakura looked down the tunnel, where sunlight filtered in through the cracks of no doubt a hidden doorway or possibly a false sewer grate. She licked her bottom lip, a strange hunger building in her. She could make it that far, surely?

“I need air,” said Sakura, edging closer to the light. She lifted her face, the urge to breathe in the fresh air growing stronger in her. The fine hairs on her arms rose, sensing… something. Something she needed. “I can just stand under that grate while you wait for him.”

Swallowing, Sakura rubbed her damp palms against her cloak.

She needed to get closer to the sunlight, the fresh air. The air smelled so sweet, so wonderful, so enticing. There was something about it that she just had to breathe into herself.

Ino’s grip on Sakura’s arm tightened.

“No,” said Ino firmly, digging in her heels. She shifted, placing herself between Sakura and the grate. “You’re staying here.”

“It’s not far. You’ll be able to see me,” laughed Sakura, unconsciously pushing forward. “These tunnels are so stuffy today.”

When Sakura began rubbing at her throat, Ino’s brow furrowed.

“You’re not getting any closer,” said Ino. She made a frustrated noise in her throat, looking around the tunnel. 

Their contact wasn’t there yet. Ino was sure this was the right spot, but what if they had taken a wrong turn? What if he had? If they didn’t meet in time, their timeline to make their rendezvous with the Underground’s paid gatekeeper, the only one who would let them out of Konoha without official papers, would be compromised.

Of all the times for Sakura’s omega instincts to go haywire, it had to be when they were without any of her usual guards, trapped in the Underground tunnels, thought Ino. Any alpha in range would be able to smell Sakura and track her, below ground. If they left the tunnels, though, it risked gaining His attention, which would paint an even bigger target on Sakura’s back.

When Sakura began squeezing and massaging the juncture between her shoulder and throat, Ino’s concern deepened.

Of course He would use these tunnels, realised Ino too late. They were right outside the castle walls and they were on their way to His closest kin. He probably walked this very route. Sakura must have been reacting to His scent that lingered in the air.

“We’re going to keep moving,” said Ino, scanning the tunnels around them. There was a junction further down. Hopefully the crosswinds there would clear Sakura’s head. “This way.”

Dragging Sakura behind her, Ino headed for the tunnel split further away. They were almost there when Sakura suddenly stilled, digging in her heels.

“Come on—” began Ino, exasperated, but then she heard it, too.

Footsteps, coming closer. Footsteps that were trying to be very quiet, to hide their numbers.

Shit.

Beside Ino, Sakura’s eyes had widened, her breath coming in and out in shallow pants. Ino looked from her friend back to the tunnel junction.

“Ino,” whispered Sakura.

Her back straightening under her heavy pack, Sakura took a fighting stance, facing the junction.

Straining her ears, Ino heard what Sakura likely had, too. More footsteps coming from the opposite end of the tunnel. They were trapped.

Between the two pinchpoints, the light shone down through the sewer grate.

Following Ino’s line of sight, Sakura looked back at Ino and nodded.

Together they raced back to the grate, tearing off their packs.

“You first,” ordered Ino quietly, her eyes flicking from one side of the tunnel to the other. 

Sakura nodded, setting aside the fight for later. She stepped immediately onto Ino’s folded hands and, with a flare of chakra to her palms, broke through the grate above them. Immediately she reached down to Ino, who tossed her both packs. 

“Hey, stop right there!” called an angry male voice from the darkest part of the tunnel.

“Hand!” ordered Sakura, reaching down one more time for her friend.

Lightning quick, Ino leapt up, bypassing Sakura’s hand. They kicked the grate down again. Ino tossed a few balls into the tunnels which promptly exploded, filling them with smoke. Grabbing a heavy board that leaned against a nearby storage shed, Sakura and Ino lay it across the grate, blocking the light from getting through and slowing down their pursuers.

“This way,” said Ino, grabbing Sakura’s hand.

They shouldered their packs again and hurried through the streets, sticking close to the ornate buildings. Fortunately the peddlers and merchants were thriving in the street market, which provided them cover. 

“Whose side were they on?” asked Sakura. 

“Neither Senju nor Uchiha,” said Ino tightly. “Our masters were supposed to clear that tunnel for us.”

“Someone knew we were coming,” said Sakura, and Ino nodded grimly.

Sakura sighed and straightened her pack on her shoulders. It was time for Plan B.
“To Auntie’s house we go,” said Sakura, resigned.

Ino smirked at Sakura.

“Make sure you call her ‘Sister’, and not ‘Auntie’,” advised Ino. “After all… You did trample all over her baby brother’s tender heart.”

Sakura paled.

TBC