Riptide

(Originally Titled: “Renkinjutsu”)

Original Chapter Release: April 5, 2008

Edited: February 28, 2018

Setting: Naruto – events after the War in Naruto Shippuden / Fullmetal Alchemist –
manga-based, after meeting Father and the Promise Day.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist. All characters and settings
are owned by their respective owners (Masashi Kishimoto, Shounen JUMP, Hiromu
Arakawa, and Shounen Gangan)

“ * ” -- meaning of words and phrases will be at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Two: Exchange

He was clothed in black from head to foot with equally colored hair that had grown
considerably over time. He seemed much taller, broader, and held an air that she couldn't
quite describe. Sandals worn and the ends of his cloak tattered; these things implied he had
traveling in long and distant lands. However, one thing that was prominent upon his
features are his eyes, especially the one that hid behind the layers of his dark hair - and the
faint scent of iron that she grew increasingly familiar with over the years.

Blood.

It was splattered all over his clothing. Sakura could faintly see the stains. His very presence
almost made the room's atmosphere thicker and it made Sakura's heart beat faster. Her
very core had become a melting pot of emotions that, if it was stirred any more, everything
would come tumbling out. Truly, this was an unexpected event and her only reaction to him
was -

"What happened to you, Sasuke?”

This was definitely not the reunion she had envisioned in her mind. She was expecting to be
notified of his return. Sakura wanted to be in front of the gates, standing there and seeing
him walking towards her in the distance. She would tell him – welcome home.

The last thing she wanted to see was the Uchiha before her, stained in blood.

Iron.
The very scent brought her flashbacks from the war that was still fresh in her mind. Death,
fear, limbs being torn apart, the screams for help, and –

No. Sakura halted the twisted memories and kept her composure. Regardless of the
situation, she had to comply with Kakashi’s words. Sasuke had witnessed what occurred in
the small villages. He held the information she needed about the orphaned war children that
she so desperately wanted to help. Personal feelings did not matter in this time or place.

When her question was asked, the raven-haired Shinobi paused. His one eye then stared
sharply at her pools of green. With only one out of the pair shown, Sakura could sense the
strength that increased within him over time. Was he trying to read her?

“Sakura,” He spoke; his voice even and unwavering, “You are here about the children?”

“Of course. I was the one who asked for information about examining the orphaned
children.” She almost sounded annoyed.

“I see…”

There was another silence between them, which frustrated Sakura. However, she saw how
awkward he was. It seemed as if the long distance had forced them to start from square
one all over again. In all of this, Naruto and Kakashi waited with baited breath.

“What happened to the children?” She asked firmly again.

Sasuke’s mouth twitched into a thin line. Talking was never his strong point nor was telling
the information directly. The way Sakura was looking at him made it harder otherwise.
Having been in the same team as her for many years, Sasuke can read Sakura’s emotions
surprisingly well. He knew she was never the type to back down, especially if it was
something she was so passionate about.

His arm and posture visibly loosened and he took steps towards her. In response to him,
Sakura was startled. His closeness was considered unnerving, even to her. And yet…

She yearned for it.

“The children are being recruited.” He answered, his one eye first looking at her before
moving onto Kakashi and Naruto’s gazes.

“Recruited? By whom?” Naruto questioned, feeling uneasy about this ordeal.

“The eastern area where they are located had been devastated the most. Orphaned children
who lost their families or had their homes taken… they are the most vulnerable. This group
believed they could make some use of them.”

Sakura pulled her bottom lip in with anxiety. Children who had lost everything were
susceptible into becoming child mercenaries, outcasts, or worse – exploitation. In times like
that, children need adults to turn to and they are willing to trust someone who held some
sort of authority. She clenched her fists – she regretted returning to Konoha and only
working at the hospital sooner. She should have gone to other places and try to help.
“You didn’t answer the Naruto’s question.” Sakura gritted her teeth, her anger and
frustration evident. “Who is recruiting them and for what?”

“Its adult members are taking in the children.” Sasuke replied immediately. “As for their
reasons, I couldn’t grasp it clearly. My own speculations are: false religion to influence them
for an ominous purpose, labor, or trafficking.”

Sakura heard Naruto gasp and Kakashi visibly moved in his seat. As for herself, she could
feel her legs buckle. The thought of children being brainwashed by a group that could have
a sinister purpose – it scared her.

Naruto had noticed this and moved over to Sakura’s side. He soon placed an arm
reassuringly. His cerulean-blue irises conveyed his support and wanted her to stay strong.
Responding with a weakened nod, Sakura listened.

“From the report that you had sent earlier by your messenger hawk, you elaborated on a
symbol you had repeatedly saw around the area.” Kakashi said, shuffling the papers around
his desk and pulling out a black folder. “This symbol, though you had described it – do you
know anything else of its purpose? Is it the cult’s crest?”

Once Kakashi held out the paper with the drawing, Naruto and Sakura leaned their faces to
have a closer inspection. Befuddled, Naruto only shook his head whereas Sakura, being the
analytical one of the former Team Seven, took her time to recall if it was familiar to her.

Unexpectedly, the symbol wasn’t as complex as initially believed.

There was a large circle, which served as a surrounding border to contain the other shapes.
Within the large circle was a smaller one, which in turn had more geometric shapes. What
stuck out the most was the hexagonal object with each of its six points pressing on the edge
of the circle. Three corners of the hexagon had half circles facing the smallest core circle
that was upon the center.

Sakura wasn’t sure what to make of it as she reached to trace her fingers on the paper.
Scavenging her mind for any knowledge of what the circle was, she came out empty
handed. This baffled even Kakashi, who scratched his chin.

“Ne, is it some sort of summoning mark?” Naruto said, thoughtfully suggesting at what it
could represent.

For once, it was a rare time that Naruto had caught Sakura’s interest. No doubt that the
circular symbol shared similarities to a typical summoning inscription.

“This is the symbol that I had seen all over the cult’s campsite,” Sasuke said, taking the
report in his one hand, “It was also tattooed on several children and there was a larger one
that was being carved on the ground. For what reason, I was unable to examine closely.”

A pondering hum was heard from Kakashi’s lips as he took one last look at the symbol
before adding one more question.

“Over here,” He gestured, “There are scribbles that you had written within the edges. Was
there a message you weren’t able to copy?”
“Yes.”

“Why?”

“It was in a language I couldn’t understand nor recognize.”

This added the complication to an already problematic situation. Kakashi, Naruto, and
Sakura couldn’t come up with a straightforward conclusion of why this was happening thus
making it harder for all of them to grasp. Tension rose and Sakura pulled her bottom lip
again.

A cult.

A symbol.

Kidnapped children.

“We have to do something. Now.” Sakura demanded, slamming her hands onto her former
teacher’s table. It visibly shook and Kakashi could’ve sworn he heard a bending sound from
the legs.

“Sakura…”

“I can hold off my duties in the hospital!” Sakura gritted her teeth, “Ino and Shizune can
handle it. They are just as talented with my skills, even more so with Shizune because of
her experience.”

“But we still have to talk about…”

“There’s nothing to talk or review about! Sasuke’s report and everything else is enough to
tell us what action we need to take.”

She was desperate to help them. She remembered making a promise to herself and the
children that were in need that she would come back and help. It was something she had
vowed to do after seeing the horrors of war. If there was no one to lean on, Sakura knew
that possible dark future that could lie ahead with the children.

She didn’t want to think about it. Her eyes closed and fingers bent into her palms. Feeling
the burning scars of war engraved in her memories, she started shaking. The stress was
truly getting to her and if she didn’t control it now, her temper and her sadness would only
rise.

“She’s right.”

Ears perking at who had said that, Sakura glanced over her shoulder at Sasuke. This action
caught Kakashi and Naruto off guard.

“What happened with the children and the cult – I was there to witness it all,” He stated,
seriousness emphasized in his tone.
“If there are no immediate steps, then the problem will only fester until nothing is left.”

---

The meeting had ended with the results that Team Seven had been looking for.

Sasuke’s detailed report and findings as well as Sakura’s points were enough to convince
Kakashi the measures that needed to be taken. In an era where peace had finally been
accomplished, war was no longer of concern. Rebuilding and the people’s well-being,
including the children, were of the utmost importance. It was the solid vow they all had
made at the conclusion of a long and winding battle that nearly destroyed the entire world.

Never again.

However, this was a major setback from the goals that they want to accomplish. Children
were considered the hope for a better change and a happier future. If they continue to be
affected by distrust, lies, and manipulation – then the circle of darkness will start all over
again. Brave shinobis had offered their services were killed for the cause. The ones who
survived will never forget the devastation.

It can’t happen again.

Not if I have something to say about it.

This was the final thought that Sakura had when she had left the Hokage’s office with a
batch of new papers that explained the mission.

She had been assigned to uncover the cult’s secrets and retrieve the captured children in
the eastern area.

And she wasn’t alone.

Sasuke exited alongside her; his eyes looking intently over the same paperwork that was
given to her.

It was going to be just the two of them.

Much to their dismay, Naruto will not be accompanying them. His presence was needed
elsewhere due to the amount of people that wanted his assistance. His status as being the
revered hero of the village and among other nations – he had his hands already full with
other commitments. However, his concern for the children’s predicament was evident when
he had begged Kakashi to also let him go. He wanted to be reunited in a mission with the
team he had grown with.

Frustrated, Naruto slammed the door behind him and joined Sasuke and Sakura in the
hallway.

“The one time that you decided to bring your ass back to the village is the one time I can’t
accompany you.” Naruto whined in displeasure.
As usual, his former rival and longtime teammate didn’t respond to him. Sasuke’s attention
was more on the mission assignment. Naruto gave him a face before turning towards
Sakura, who he noticed had felt tenser after the gathering.

Since the conclusion of the war, Naruto had seen the lasting effects on Sakura. His
childhood crush and now trusted comrade had fallen deeper and deeper into her workaholic
tendencies. He had tried to coax her out of that state, even going so far as to confront
Shizune, Ino, and her parents to talk to her. Naruto had always been protective of Sakura,
especially with her well-being. Knowing this mission involved something Sakura was vocal
and passionate about, he worried it could take the turn for the worst.

And he didn’t really believe in leaving Sakura with Sasuke’s company at the moment.

Nonetheless, she didn’t argue with Kakashi about the team-up and ultimately, Kakashi
didn’t voice his concerns.

Sakura was stubborn and dedicated. She was able to overcome her own stress and
complications – she wasn’t twelve-years-old that had a love-struck obsession on the last
surviving Uchiha. Things were different now – hopefully.

“Sakura-chan,”

Sakura’s attention switched over to Naruto, whom was giving her bright a smile with
whiskered cheeks.

“I…” He paused, actually considering the right words to say to the medic. Being with Hinata,
Naruto was beginning to showcase that he could think before saying anything. Sakura
noticed this and patiently waited for his reply.

“I… I know you can save those kids. I just wish I can come with you.”

Eyes softening, Sakura nodded wordlessly as Naruto grinned.

“Till then, promise that we will actually go and get ramen at Ichiraku’s together! No buts,
ifs, ands, or backing out! You’re stuck with me!”

The corners of her lips twitched and then, it parted to let out a small laugh. Naruto and
ramen were inseparable but it was his only way to show how much he cared and wanted to
try his best for other. There was nothing ever wrong with sharing a hot, warm delicious
ramen with friends and family. Plus, it gave Sakura the time to reflect on the various times
that she and Naruto shared deep conversations whilst eating and sitting at the Ichiraku
shop.

“Next time, I promise I will go with you.”

Her words were all that Naruto needed to hear. Nodding to her, he shot one last glance to
the raven-haired male next to her.

“Sasuke.”
When he finally looked towards the blonde, he was greeted by narrowed blue-eyes.

In a wordless stare that lasted all but three seconds, Sasuke’s camaraderie with Naruto
helped him understand what he was silently trying to tell him.

You hurt her and you won’t hear the end of it.

Sasuke’s features and expression didn’t change but Naruto knew he had gotten his point
across before sticking a tongue out at him. If one were to look closely, Sasuke may have
twitched faintly.

“Come back alive and with the children, both of you, okay?”

With those final words, Naruto waved a hand before leaving the Hokage building.

Now, it was only the two of them left.