Icewater

Chapter 20: Washed Clear

Disclaimer: Graduation in two and a half months, baby. Shannaro!

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Summary-thus-far:

Sakura, Princess of Oceanica, is an adventurous, curious young mermaid. Her Arctician Mother was killed when she was young. After her Father is murdered by what appears to be a servant of Orochimaru, she and Naruto, Prince of Atlantica, flee to the Outwaters, the dreary borderlands between underwater kingdoms. There, they come across the Ice Ridges. At night, Sakura sees exploding stars and, after surfacing to investigate, sees Sasuke, the human Prince of Konoha. She flees, but in the morning brings Naruto to see Sasuke's ship. The ship crashes in the Ice Ridges, and Sakura and Naruto help lead the sailors and the Prince back to land. Sakura discovers that she cannot speak above-water. She also realizes that her deceased Mother fell in love with a previous ruler of Konoha; mortified, she goes to the Sea Witch Chiyo, the last surviving Arctician, and trades her pink hair for legs in order to enact revenge. After spending time in Konoha, Sakura falls in love with the Prince, Sasuke. Chiyo warns Sakura not to trust a man named Madara. Meanwhile, Naruto also trades his fins for legs, and saves the Hyuuga Princess Hinata from bandits. Later, however, his Inner Demon takes over when he fights off the man who killed Sakura's father. During this battle, Hinata is wounded. Horrified by his Demon form, the Hyuuga chase him off into the ocean, and he is unsuccessful at bringing Sakura back. Gaara is killed by Orochimaru's forces in Pacifica, but Chiyo gives her life to restore his; she also extends Sakura's time as a human by four days, and redirects Sakura's lineage through her Atlantican side instead of her Arctician so she can gain a Siren voice (above-water voice). Queen Kushina of Atlantica prepares for battle against Orochimaru, who has taken control of Oceanica. Sakura discovers the King of Konoha is Madara, and that he is neither Sasuke's nor Itachi's real Father. The servant assigned to wait on Sakura, Ino, becomes aware of Sakura's true identity; together, she and Sakura learn that merfolk and humans share the same ancestors. Sakura is summoned to sign a document for King Madara, but Sakura does not know how to use paper and ink, and instead flings it to the ground in opposition. Still, Madara has guards placed on the tower opposite her room to keep watch over her. Sasuke also has a connection to Orochimaru, and an old acquaintance Karin claims he should return to "Taka." He later snoops around Sakura's room and discovers that she has been researching the Kyuubi. Furious that she is keeping secrets from him, Sasuke seeks her and Ino out in the library and brings them to the waterfall, where he reveals that Madara wishes to dispose of both of them. Sakura manages to keep her Siren voice and pink hair a secret, but Sasuke voices that he mistrusts her, and that he, too, has secrets. She is hurt by this revelation, but resolves to press forward nonetheless - just in time for Shikamaru to inform her and Ino that Princess Hinata has awakened. Below the ocean, past the Ice Ridges, King Minato is being held prisoner by Orochimaru. A mysterious message reveals that King Madara intends to destroy all merfolk civilizations, and Orochimaru tortures Minato for information. The snake man claims that Sakura and Naruto are the cause of the message, and tells Minato he will crush Atlantica and Queen Kushina. The clock is ticking; after tonight, Sakura will have only 2 days left before she reverts to her mermaid form. And with two worlds about to violently clash, Sakura's got her hands full. Will she keep her lips sealed, or can she use her newfound Siren voice to somehow bring about peace?

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The first thing Sakura noticed about her was that she was nervous.

And fidgety.

Princess Hinata stood, clinging tightly to her cousin's arm, in the middle of the Court. Even though she was still recovering - Sakura was horrified that she was on her feet, what with the damage that had been inflicted upon her - she was still stunning in a shimmering golden dress that fell like a waterfall about her, and sparkled like the Ice Ridges in sunlight. Her hair was decorated with rare pearls and glittering jewels ("Rubies," Ino had murmured in her ear before retreating to the walls to watch simently) and fell freely about her. Sakura felt a wave of envy, in spite of herself.

She's beautiful.

Her Inner snorted.

She's about to keel over! it replied. She's in no condition to be up and about yet.

That's why it's even more amazing! Sakura had to swallow a lump that began to rise in her throat and blink back tears. She's so committed to her duty...

Then she remembered her resolve to see things through. Madara sat in his throne, observing her with interest. His blue and golden robes were splayed about him, pooling at his feet and on either side of his throne. But his red eyes were trained on her form.

She clenched her fists. She would not show weakness.

She bit back her envy and instead put a deceptive smile on her face, put on an air of vapid giddiness. She batted her eyelashes flirtatiously at the Princess' cousin, felt satisfaction well up within her when he turned the lightest shade of pink, suppressed her feelings, and approached them. Ino, seeing this, also came to stand beside Sakura, head bowed low to show respect.

Sakura herself curtsied as low as she could, then waited until given permission to look up.

"P-Please, rise," said a melodious voice. It reminded her of the chimes she'd heard when she and Sasuke had entered the bakery on the tour of Konoha - soft, beautiful sounds that floated through the air, settled beautifully into ones ears.

Sakura thought it was oddly fitting, for such a beautiful Princess to possess such a melodious voice.

Green eyes met pearl. Princess Hinata smiled tenderly, shyly, and Sakura smiled politely back. The Hyuuga girl's eyes glittered in the light filtering through the windows, casting an ethereal glow about her. Sakura wondered whether the painter Sai would be able to capture such a beauty, such an amazing essence, despite his skill as an artist.

But he was painting away, leaning against a pillar, eyes glancing up at her and Princess Hinata, then down again at his work. His many brushes and quills and - she wasn't sure of the name of these - jars littered the floor around him, a rainbow of artwork sitting in the middle of the sunlight.

He could probably never capture Princess Hinata's vibrance, but Sakura had no doubt that he could get close.

"May I introduce myself?" After Hinata's nod, Ino continued. "My name is Yamanaka Ino, a long-time servant and grounds keeper of Konoha and it's royalty." She turned her head to Sakura, who bowed her head quickly. "This is my charge. You've no doubt heard about the young woman rescued from a shipwreck who the King introduced to the court." Ino grinned at Sakura. "This is her."

Princess Hinata's smile made Sakura return one of equal kind.

"How do you do, Lady Ino, Lady...?" The Princess trailed off.

Inwardly, Sakura's heart leapt.

I'd forgotten nobody knew my name, Sakura thought. Now what?

Ino can handle it,assured her Inner. She's a smooth liar, remember?

Lying for me. Sakura felt a twinge of guilt, but knowing Madara was watching her made her repress it.

She could have no regrets, and she could make no mistakes.

Not now.

"Lady Momoiro," said Ino.

"Lady Momoiro," repeated Princess Hinata. "It is an honor and pleasure to meet the both of you." She turned her attention to her cousin. "Lord Neji, if you would."

Her cousin nodded.

"I am Lord Hyuuga Neji, the Princess Hinata's first cousin." He met Sakura's eyes for the briefest of moments before looking away again. "It is my sincerest joy to meet such-" he again glanced at Sakura before looking away, much to her amusement, with a light blush "-lovely maidens as yourselves."

Ino cooed frivolously, and Sakura allowed herself a genuine grin of amusement.

Does he like me? she wondered. Then, No, of course not. Politics. It's all an act. Red eyes flashes in her mind. And my mask's the best.

Our net is empty, added her Inner.

Indeed it is, Sakura replied. But not for much longer.

They made small talk for some time. Or, rather, Ino did all the talking; Sakura was still pretending she could not speak. Just because Madara knew the truth did not mean the entire Court needed to know - Sakura had enough to deal with.

A smooth, low voice interrupted the flow of conversation.

"Princess Hinata, your Father is searching for you."

All eyes fell on Lord Itachi.

"Ah." Hinata's squeak was no less melodious than her speaking voice. She met her cousin's eyes before curtsying to Sakura and Ino while Neji bowed. "It was a pleasure speaking with the two of you." Her grin was sincere. "I must take my leave now."

Sakura and Ino curtsied low to the Princess as she and her cousin headed towards the other side of the Court.

"Lord Itachi!" Ino said, pulling out of her curtsy. Sakura followed suit. "How do you do?"

"Well," he replied simply. He looked down at Sakura. "I trust that both of you ladies are in good health?"

Ino replied that they were.

Itachi nodded.

"Excellent." He turned and began walking towards the nearest window, and without allowing for even a second of hesitation, Sakura followed him.

"A lovely evening," Itachi said softly, peering outside. The glow of the sunset was golden, spiraling like powder through the glass windows and onto the hard floor. "An ideal time for sailing."

Sakura stiffened.

How-?!

His eyes met hers and flashed red.

And, taken unawares, Sakura hardly registered Ino reaching out to steady her.

Images swirled in her mind.

Of blood spattered across the ground, a crown toppled sideways beside a body, of dark laughter she'd heard before.

She saw a young boy laughing freely, little legs pumping furiously, running ahead into the forest, heading towards the waterfall.

Then the little boy, shocked, kneeling beside the body, hand clenched around the wrist, as if hoping to feel a sign of life, tears streaming down his face. She thought she felt tears graze her own cheeks, but before she could reach up to feel them with her palms, she was out by the ocean, and the moon was high and orange and eery, and the night was so dark, and someone was talking to her in hushed tones, promising rebellion, rebellion, if only she would join their ranks...

Then she was in the gardens, the sun high, as Madara - not Madara, though, he was too familiar, too much like family - an uncle, much worse than a Father - strolled down a red carpet, heading towards a religious leader with a tall hat in whose palms rested the crown. It was clean now, and shining brilliantly in the light, but she knew better. The blood had crusted and been scraped off, but she glanced to her side and saw Sasuke's face reflecting her - his, Sakura realized; these were not her memories -his own inner emotion of fury, barely contained horror and anger. That was not his crown. Not his, never had been, and he would be damned before he took the throne after the blood had been spilt. In a fit of rage, he stomped out after the coronation, relinquished his princeship, and turned away. The betrayal on Sasuke's face nearly made him stop - but no, this had to be done. He had to leave Konoha, and his only way out of the castle was like this.

He went off in search of the man who had promised him revenge. Pein.

But then, of course it had been a trap. It always was. He was caught again in a web. And this time, Sasuke had been trapped in it. Orochimaru licked his lips, broke away from the underground "rebellion" Pein was organizing, and then he took Sasuke with him, corrupted him, stole him for two years, took him into the ocean, trained him. It was all Itachi could do, to quietly steal away Pein's influence in Akatsuki, in the rebellion, and send him into the sea after Orochimaru. Itachi had decided on revenge, and he would have it.

Then, Sakura saw a different image: Sasuke, drenched in ocean water, tossing his sword aside, walking carefully into his brother's outstretched arms. He had returned, but he had changed. She saw glimpses of him - of his newfound sparring prowess, a colder, steelier attitude, but just as hot-blooded, just as quick-thinking as he always had been.

But his fire was not warm anymore. It was black. Black and cold, like the deepest reaches of the ocean. If he let it run rampant, it could consume everything.

"Why did you come back?" They were sitting by the waterfall. Sasuke did not turn to look at his brother, just continued to watch the water crash down.

"He wanted me to become like HIM."

Itachi knew "Him" was not Orochimaru.

And then, the Court. Sasuke being called to talk to their Uncle, the King, talking in hushed tones. Itachi watched with concern, shook his head, but seemed finally to agree.

And then- watching from the rooftop, as the morning brought Sasuke home on a piece of driftwood led by pink and yellow. His brother, smirking - at a mermaid? - pushing the pink-haired creature under the water, interacting willingly, and Itachi saw something he had thought was gone forever: Sasuke, not of now, but from before everything had gone wrong. Innocent, simple, childish behavior, and something infinitely more: Happiness, and purity, and reprieve.

The girl in the gypsy outfit had the same effect.

He despised her at first. She brought out in Sasuke something Itachi once had been able to, but now never would. He was jealous. But hopeful. She could change him, bring his little brother back.

Then he'd rescued her from his Uncle's fog, opened the doors to the Court to find her bathed in golden light, struggling, fighting back, even while her world spun with his Uncle's red eyes.

He helped her, and saw her for the first time. Really saw her.

Green eyes.

Green eyes, and in the sunlight... Pink hair.

The girl in the gypsy outfit was the mermaid.

And everything had fallen into place.

And suddenly, Sakura was wrenched from the images, from the nostalgic memories Itachi had somehow shared with her, and reality was back. Ino was holding her tightly, desperately, eyes wide and blue, full of concern and fright.

"Are you okay?" she whispered.

Sakura nodded, and the world stopped reeling.

Itachi leaned in close to her, his breath tickling her neck, and spoke softly to her.

"You never did tell me your name."

"S-Sakura," she breathed, just as Ino said, "Momoiro."

Itachi's lips twitched upwards, as if he might smile, but he didn't. He bowed to her after Ino had relinquished hold of her.

"I trust you, Lady Momoiro," he said after rising. He nodded to Ino. "Lady Ino." And then he bid them farewell, and turned back into the Court.

Sakura slowly turned around to face the throne.

How had she not seen it before?

She had her suspicions, of course, but now that she knew, it was almost painfully obvious...

"I think it's time to retire, my Lady." Ino's words were short, clipped, and Sakura heard the stress behind them. She was wracked with guilt again, but repressed it. She nodded to the blonde girl, and they exited the Court.

Just as they left, Sakura glanced back at the throne.

The King was wearing the crown he'd stolen from his brother, the brother he'd murdered.

He's not Madara, she thought. He isn't Fugaku, either.

Uchiha Madara had been the first King of Konoha.

Uchiha Fugaku had been Itachi's and Sasuke's Father.

But Uchiha Obito was neither of these men.

With that thought, Sakura wheeled around and followed Ino back to her room.

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"You're kidding."

Sakura shook her head.

"No," she replied, yanking the window open. She glared into the setting sunlight streaming through her window, days of white and orange and good that hindered her vision. She squinted. Green orbs trained on the tower, where - just as she had suspected - guards were in place to watch. She bit her lip and flung the curtains closed again.

"I never thought..." Ino was sitting on Sakura's bed, apparently overwhelmed by what Itachi had revealed to Sakura. Her blue eyes were wide, and her legs had trembled as she'd sunk onto Sakura's plush mattress. There she stayed as Sakura had related the truth to her; now, she seemed to be recovering, gaining animation as she probed and questioned Sakura for more details and explanations. "It makes sense, but I had never suspected..." She frowned thoughtfully. "Then again, though, I hadn't really been involved at the time. None of us were." She shook her head. "We were all so young, and our parents never spoke about it. Not when we were within earshot, I guess. And we were kept at a distance from the royalty, anyway. We barely ever played with Sasuke and Itachi before then, but after, we only saw them when we attended them at dinners and other events..." The blonde frowned. "That was probably intentional, then, huh?"

Sakura nodded.

"Especially since this 'King' seems so concerned about 'commoners' and 'gypsies.' Pfah!" Sakura flopped onto the cushiony mattress, face-first, burying her head into the fresh linens and plush comforter. "Human politics are just as twisted as merfolk politics!"

Ino laughed, despite the somewhat heavy air that clung to them like heavy weights.

"They're related, after all," she said, "If the Kyuubi legend is real."

"Yeah..."

Ino cleared her throat and continued rambling. "So, when Sasuke left to study in another kingdom... He really left? As in, abandoned us to learn from the guy who killed your Dad?"

Sakura nodded into the sheets.

"Not a guy. A SNAKE."

"Okay." Ino accepted this and moved on. "All this time, we've been in the dark. We've... We've just been pawns. Even Prince Sasuke. And Duke Itachi."

"Everyone," Sakura agreed.

"Everyone," Ino murmured.

Sakura raised her head, green eyes serious.

"You know we have to go tonight."

Ino hesitated, then sighed, sinking further into Sakura's bed.

"I need more time."

"We don't HAVE any." Sakura's Siren voice was sharp and shrill. So different from her underwater voice. "Whatever he needed me for, he's not going to stop. If I don't leave tonight, he'll get what he wants and then kill me. Kill US."

Ino huffed, running an agitated hand through her blonde locks.

"I know," she said finally after a pause stretched between them. "But we can't take his ship alone. Sakura, I don't even know if I'll get seasick, I've never been on a boat, and-"

Creak.

"Sakura, huh?"

As one, the girls stiffened and swiveled, wide doe eyes meeting solid, half-lidded brown.

"What a drag."

"Sh-Shikamaru!" squeaked the blonde, blue eyes flickering with something Sakura couldn't give a name off the top of her head, mouth agape, an expression of horrified surprise gracing her face. "You... You EAVESDROPPER!"

"Ugh," he groaned in reply, closing the door behind him. Hands shoved in his trouser pockets, he shuffled towards them, eyes taking over them both. "I think that's the least of your worries right now."

Before Ino could react with a retort of some sort, Sakura snapped upright, and in three quick strides stood directly in front of the young man with the spiky ponytail. He was much taller than her, but she squared her shoulders and looked fearlessly up at him.

"You wouldn't have come in if you didn't have your own two pearls to share," she said.

There was a moment of silence, and Sakura saw in the boy's eyes that he was considering her words.

"Pearls of wisdom, two cents, huh?" he mumbled. The latter expression was foreign to Sakura, but she made no sign to indicate so. She continued to look at Shikamaru expectantly as he continued mulling her words over. "Yeah, I guess," he responded finally.

"Then spit it out," Ino quipped.

Shikamaru sighed, muttered something about it being 'troublesome,' and then met Sakura's apple green eyes.

"I can help you."

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A/N: Lol, well, at least they mentioned the boat this time. But why? Find out next time! *gets hit by pitchforks*

Stars for reviewers. I'm serious. Review, and you'll see what I mean. And if you don't care much for twinkling suns, then follow or fave! I appreciate those, too! :)

Wow, you guys. I'm graduating soon. This is it. I'm... It's so unreal. Good luck to other seniors in the same boat as me!