Peridot

by TigerLily6666

Summary:

Peridot, a green gemstone, symbolizes transformation, new beginnings, and good luck.

Sakura's gotten a patron deity, cementing that, once and for all, she is in an alternate universe completely. She's curious as to how this happened, but for now, she has bigger issues. 

Like her guardian, and surviving the academy again, and helping her brother find his Unmei no Ai or Hito.

Chapter 1: Prologue - The Celebration

The party is about to start. 

The guests slowly pass through the initial torii gate, climbing the temple entrance steps, arms loaded with birthday gifts and offerings for her guardian. 

Tables take up the entire inner compound, each overflowing with food, gifts, and offerings for Haruno Sakura and Fudō-myōō pour in from the Haruno clan members. 

His sculpture, polished and refurbished, stands in the center of the honden, carefully moved from the kondo for this occasion . Its mere presence is overwhelming. His neck, head, and arms are adorned with flower crowns. 

Haruno Kizashi and his cousins are already blitheringly drunk. 

A fine response to finding out that his daughter has been chosen by such a powerful entity when no one else had ever managed to garner his interest in their long history. 

--

Mebuki, who is currently leading their guests past the Komainu that reside atop pillars on both sides of the shamusho , can feel a vein throbbing on her forehead from the headache she is sure to walk in upon. Many of the guests coming today have never been past the shamusho , having needed specific permission to get past the fuinjutsu.

Many of the priests and miko they pass, bow to her and her company. Though she knows they are excited to lock up and make their way upstairs and to the party.

“Do you think Saku-chan will like our gift, Mebuki-ba-chan?” Naruto asks, holding hands with Sasuke. They are both a little winded.

She looks down at the two with a soft smile, “Of course she will, Naru-chan.”

Both little boys beam brightly before they are picked up by their mothers. 

Behind Kushina and Mikoto are Minato, Fugaku, and the Hyūga Patriarchs. Shisui and Itachi converse lightly with Hinata and Neji. Behind them are Sakumo, Tsunade, and their brood. Kakashi also walks with them, Obito and Rin by his sides. Behind them is another trail of clan heads and notable guests, escorted 

This is about to turn into an even grander celebration, Mebuki muses. 

She, like everyone else in the clan, was certain Sakura had somehow, someway, found her Unmei no Hito far earlier than anyone recorded in their history. The bond the group had was clear to see. Finding out that Sakura declared two ROOT children hers with no hesitation didn’t even shock the clan. 

If anything, they were shocked by the number of parts to her imprint. 

Naruto, Sasuke, Sai, Tenzō, and Kakashi… Mebuki shakes her head in amusement, eager to see the outcome of such a declaration. 

“Is Sakura-chan getting ready with Kaede-kun?” Mikoto asks. 

Mebuki nods, “She is. Sa-chan woke up maybe two hours ago and has been eating us out of house and home to replenish her energy.”

Kushina and Mikoto exchange worried glances, “Is that… normal?”

Mebuki barks a laugh, “Of course! Typical Haruno children have a small feast with their families for breakfast on July 3rd and join us in the main plaza for a large banquet. The energy consumption of the ceremony is no small amount. Being blessed also consumes a ton of chakra as well. Most children pass out as soon as they get home. Kaede was unconscious for seven hours after his ceremony!”

They make it to the top of the steps and are greeted by the sight of a large, glamorous torii gate, signifying the official entrance to the Haruno compound. The party will only be held in the initial pavilion and entrance. The gate guards bow at Mebuki and begin the process of verifying invitations. 

Out of the group Mebuki led, only Obito, Rin, Tenzō, Shin, and Sai are newcomers. They are provided with visitor passes. Though Mebuki suspects that five of the guests she brought will be permanently added to the wards before day's end.

(Soulmates are automatically registered with the barrier. Haruno grounds are sanctuaries for them. Anywhere they go, should they need assistance, they only have to place a hand on the gate and wait for the new gate to register who they are.)

As the group makes its way past many of the already overflowing tables, they see many Haruno children and teens running around in glee. Several adults are well past drunk at this point. The elders of the clan are all spread around and are in just as festive a mood. 

Tsunade and Sakumo walk up to Mebuki, Mikoto, and Kushina. 

Tsunade gestures at her newly adopted children and Shin, “Mebuki-chan, where can we send the kids?”

Mikoto and Kushina let down their sons once again, and the boys ran to grasp the legs of Kakashi. Though all three of them have their eyes on the children they met briefly down below. 

Tenzō, holding both Shin and Sai by the hand, looks at the other children and teens within their group.  

Mebuki doesn’t get to utter a word as all eyes turn in the direction furthest inside the compound. All eyes are on the shortest of the two figures. She holds her brother’s hand in a death grip, but her eyes, even from this far out, Mebuki can see the pure manic desperation in her daughter’s eyes. 

“Kakashi-kun, Tenzō-kun, please escort Naruto-chan, Sai-chan, and Sasuke-chan inside.”

Shin makes to say something, but is immediately stilled by the hand of his new father on his shoulder. 

His time in ROOT had given him some knowledge of the Haruno clan, but he wasn’t sure how much to chalk up to fantasy and reality.

But looking at his brother’s steadfast yet nervous face, he knows he has no choice but to let things proceed as they must.

Sakura has let go of her brother’s hand and has her hands outstretched with a beautiful smile on her face.

Naruto and Sasuke immediately rush to her, eager to be in her presence as always. Subconsciously, they drag Sai with them. Kakashi and Tenzō catch the children before they hit the ground, and the eruption that results from the instantaneous contact is blinding. The light being so blinding could only mean her Unmei no Hito mark is complete. In such a rare occurrence of all at once.

But through the blinding light, Sakura’s voice is clear and profound, “ Soshite sākuru ga kansei shimasu. ”

All around them, all the Haruno members - old and young, drunk and sober - drop to their knees and clasp their hands in prayer.

“And so the circle completes.” Mebuki chants alongside them.

Chapter 2: Chapter 1 - The Senju Clan

Summary:

The Senju clan elders have no fear

No matter what anyone says, Sakura remains adamant that she is an innocent baby who can do no wrong. 

Someone watched her punch a hole through someone’s knee?

Innocent.

She knows more about the inner workings of Konoha’s political and commercial climate than most clan heads?

Innocent.

She has a habit of making the founding clans and nobility indebted to her?

… Innocent.

She can grow trees without having been experimented on by a currently mad-in-the-head snake Sannin, thus disrupting all kekkai genkai theories?

INN. O. CENT.

So why, in the Hagoromo’s name, is she currently in the Hokage’s office, once again? Surrounded by founding clan elders (because when is she not?). Watching her parents contemplate murder (as per usual), as some entitled Senju elders try and take her away from her family?

Honestly, she’s surprised it took the Senju clan elders this long to come after her. 

Sakura leans back on the chair and sighs, letting the yells of her mama, Tsunade-sama, and the others fly above her. 

“She has mokuton ! Mebuki and her daughter clearly need to leave the Haruno compound and come back to the Senju compound. As is proper in such cases of dominant kekkai genkai. ” One Senju elder yells.

“No.” is the harsh but simple rebuttal of her mother. 

“Silence child,” Another scolds, sneer impressive. “Your father is definitely rolling over in his grave for all the disgrace and dishonor you continue to bring upon the clan. As direct descendants of Hashirama-sama himself, you have a duty to your clan.”

Sakura gapes as her eyes widen in absolute shock.

These old fools have no self-preservation, do they?!

“Your wayward mentality led to other members marrying out of the clan, renouncing the Senju name. Now your child presents with our long lost kekkai genkai, and you think that you can continue to be so disrespectful to our history?” one growls, clenching their walking cane harshly.

Sakura can only see her mother’s back, but even she can tell Haruno Mebuki’s short fuse is about to blow. 

Her issue with this entire situation, however, is the fact that these windbags are trying to steal her rights. All in the name of a dying clan, too rigid in their ways. 

Sakura sneers, And judging by their attitude, isolation and threat of dissolution have done nothing to damage their pride.

“What do you think, Sakura-chan?”

Minato’s question stops her musing and leads her to look at him in wide-eyed shock. 

“Me?” She asks, pointing to herself, incredulous and slightly honored that he cared about her autonomy.

Her Hokage nods, smile gentle, “Of course. Technically, you belong to two clans; you get a say in how best to live your life in this situation.”

She blinks twice before looking to the right, where her family and Tsunade stand, defensive. They smile at her, strained due to their bloodlust, but no less supportive.

To the left, she sees four Senju elders older than life itself. They aren’t sneering, but the way they seem to be looking down their noses at her makes her hackles rise. Not a smile in place, just unearned pride and unwarranted privilege.

Sakura looks back at her Hokage and uncle. Ever since she completed her Hito mark, Minato and Kushina had taken to visiting more often. They and the Uchiha head family had just as many family dinners as her papa, Hizashi, Mikoto, and Sakumo. 

“I think it’s time for me to go back home. I haven’t finished my meditations for the day, and I still have scriptures to translate.” 

Sakura hops off the couch and out the door without looking back. The sputter of anger and shock follows her, but it is the loud guffawing laughter that has her smiling.

Chapter 3: Chapter 2 - The Academy

Summary:

Some things have changed for Sakura but so long as she still has her boys, she's cool with it.

Sakura’s first day at the academy is hectic and chaotic. But mostly shocking for her. 

Families were all gathered at the gate and entrance to the academy. Minato’s welcome speech was met with applause and cheers, as was usual for the man. She held Naruto and Sasuke’s hands tightly, already dreading the separation of classes. The way it would be until her fourth year in the academy.

But when they are called to go to their classrooms, Sakura doesn’t find her name under the rosters for classes four through six. 

Instead, she finds herself sitting in the classroom not for civilians or even the children of shinobi, like she expected.

No, Haruno Sakura’s first day of class starts in the shinobi clan children's classroom. The one meant for heirs and the main branch kids.

A fancy noble clan, Sakura might be from currently, but it was still civilian in nature. She certainly didn’t claim any Senju heritage on her application, considering their disastrous relationship. 

She has many theories on how this came to be. 

Nepotism, she didn’t ask for, being the prime one. 

So instead of complaining or looking the gift horse in the mouth, she begins to scritch out her notes for the day. 

Unnecessary for her, but extremely important for the walking case of ADHD bonded to her.

That reminds me…

“Naru-chan, play with this,” Sakura hands over a small device to Naruto. 

Sasuke leans over to look at it curiously, “Sakura-chan, what is it?”

Shaped like a three-pointed shuriken, the center has a mechanism that allows it to spin. There is a slight indent on the front and back of the device for proper gripping.

Immediately, Naruto starts spinning the toy on his left index finger. All the energy he had been subconsciously putting into his leg for bouncing disappears. 

“It’s a fidget spinner. I made it to help Naruto manage all his energy so he can focus in class. Do you like it, Naru-chan?” She asks, with her head tilted.

He’s far too young to be given coffee or medication. But the toy should curb his need to move. 

Sakura thinks about the desk in her bedroom. The drawer full of toys she made from mokuton so they’d be durable and painted colorful for Naruto. 

Rings, sensory cubes, clicker… I won’t let Naruto neurons be the reason he’s deemed incapable.

The blonde boy made of sunshine looks at the toy on his finger; there is something in his eyes that Sakura and Sasuke don’t recognize.

“Sa-chan…” He whispers, voice quiet, but thick.

Sakura smiles softly, “Hm?”

He looks up at her, his sky blue eyes watery but full of relief and calmness.

“Thank you.”

Sasuke nudges his shoulder teasingly, and Sakura smiles brightly at him. 

“Anything for you guys!”

Chapter 4: Chapter 3 - Bonding

Summary:

Sakura's new friend is easy to get along with.

When Sakura is not at the academy, she is helping around the temple. 

Not yet a full-fledged miko, she takes to cleaning the statues, organizing the finished batches of omamori, ofuda, and omikuji, or watching her elder cousins practice kagura. 

There is something new to her schedule, however, now that she has a guardian. 

She must spend 12 hours of her Saturday in a solitary prayer room within the kondo. 

Within this room, she reads scriptures dedicated to her patron deity. The end goal is to enter into a meditative state and connect with them.

(Mind you… These scriptures are so old and untouched by man; the paper itself is brittle, and the ink made from something ancient. She is probably the first person outside the founders of her clan to touch and read them. And now they will be available to the people.)

Usually, most patrons wait until their chosen has properly memorized their text and shown proper respect via several offerings before opening the spiritual realm to connect.

Fudō-myōō, as it turns out, is not like most patron deities.

She memorized all his scripture, never before been read - let alone opened - in six hours, the very first Saturday after her celebration. What followed was another five hours of careful scribing. 

(She’s been reborn, but her doctor's handwriting is still awful.)

The first chapter done, she intended to spend the last hour meditating. Maybe mentally go over the katas for executioner.

When she closed her eyes, she opened them again because a summer breeze blew past her.

Sitting before her was a man about the same size as the Raikage with golden skin, wavy oil black hair, and amber eyes.

“You are tinier than expected, little one. I expected your spiritual body to resemble your former appearance.”

Sakura blinks, sighs, and then kowtows.

“It is my honour to stand before my patron deity, The Immovable One. I am thy vessel, thy sword, and thy shield. May thy divine influence preserve righteousness within the world.”

“Your vow is received and sanctified. May you be immersed in the radiance of my fortune and be steadfast in upholding the sanctity of my dignity,” Fudō-myōō accepts. “You may rise and take your place before me.”

Sakura sits up and takes in the scenery around them. A decident shrine surrounds them, golden pillars hold the ceiling up, and colorful silken curtains blow in that familiar summer breeze. Through the small gaps caused by the wind, she can make out a vast expanse of clouds. 

He sits directly in front of her, draped in royal blue silk and the night sky, looking bemused.

“I am a child now,” Sakura answers to his previous observation. “I accepted that fully when this,” she juts her thumb to her back, “Appeared.”

“Hmmmm..” He hums. “Very well! I see you offered confections for your first session?”

Sakura grins up at him with a slight blush, “Yes, dango. I wanted to share some of my favorite foods with you.”

Sakura watches as the offering table she decorated in a variety of handmade dango floats toward him. 

“You pick up the full stick and bite of each dumpling, one at a time,” She advises.

The large, intimidating, golden deity takes the daintiest bite Sakura has ever seen before his eyes quite literally glow.

--

That is why now, instead of reading scriptures and translating them into text for the general populace to read and appreciate, she is playing shogi with said deity. 

Today she has brought anmitsu for their tea party, and he took to it like a fish to water.

With one large tub of shaved ice and several Tupperware containers full of toppings, Sakura entered his domain ready to rock his world.

“This shaved ice and fruits… a wonderful combination.” He compliments, the fifth bowl decimated.

Not that Sakura is judging- she had two before coming (to make sure she could make it right) and two more here.

Sakura hums and sighs contentedly.

Another peaceful day…

Chapter 5: Chapter 4 - Here we go again…

Summary:

Kaede accompanies Sakura and her boys to get ramen. The boy is depressed that he hasn’t found his Unmei no Hito, now that his Ai imprint seed has begun to open.

At this point, Sakura is certain that fate is fucking with her. 

Her previous Neji is definitely laughing at her in the Pure Lands at her thoughts.

At 16 years old, Haruno Kaede, heir to the Haruno clan, has taken after his father in more ways than one. 

His hair has darkened, but nowhere near as dark as Kizashi’s.

His ocean reef blue eyes are lighter than the man’s deep sea blue.

His height is staggering, his shoulders broad, his voice deep, and his jawline squared by the kami. 

But Kizashi’s terrible luck in finding his Hito or Ai has also been passed down.

It is her seventh birthday, and Sakura cannot tolerate the sad look in her brother’s eyes anymore. 

Puberty was certainly being kind to him in a way it hadn’t been to Sakura in her first life.

(Not that her stupid diets did her any favors.)

Thankfully, he doesn’t shape his hair like their father, but he does let it rest in a low ponytail that cascades down his back. 

I haven’t seen a boy with such pretty hair since Neji…

“Nii-chan!” Sakura squeals in glee at the sight of her brother. 

(Kaede often picked her up from the academy.)

His arms open to gather her effortlessly despite her heavy tackle. 

“Sa-chan, haha-ue is making a feast of sweets for your birthday.” He greets as he taps her nose.

Her nose scrunches up, and she leans back in his arms, not liking the general vibe he emits.

As happy as he is that she has completed her Hito circle, she’s seen him caress his navel enough times to know he wants with a thousand passions.

Naruto, Sai, and Sasuke clearly feel the same way

“Kaede-nii! Come get ramen with us!” Naruto exclaims. 

He has his arms crossed, and his tone leaves no room for argument.

Sasuke stands beside him, scowl imperial, almost daring the older Haruno to reject their invitation (demand).

Sai tilts his head to the side, staring at Kaede with silent disapproval for his aura.

Sakura grasps her brother’s hand, leaving him no chance to escape, as she drags him toward Ichiraku.

They all talk around Kaede as they walk to Naruto’s favorite place.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had Ichiraku, Naru-chan.” Kaede hums in serious consideration.

GASP

Everyone looks at the blonde, and Sakura giggles.

The Uzumaki clutches the area above his chest in shock. Sakura is almost certain that hypertension has come for him as a child instead of as an old man.

Suddenly, Naruto is dragging Kaede toward the ramen stand. Both are running like the flames of hell are licking their heels.

“I cannot let you live another day without trying Teuchi-jii’s ramen!” Naruto yells, “That would be a crime.”

By the time Sai, Sakura, and Sasuke have caught up with them, Naruto is sitting on his usual stool, swinging his legs excitedly.

Sasuke and Sai huff in amusement, and Sakura rolls her eyes as she sits beside her brother.

They all wait in companionable silence, knowing Naruto informed Teuchi that they were coming and he was already working on their usual orders.

“Two orders of a dozen pork gyoza!” Ayame pops up from thin air, two plates of piping hot pan-fried gyoza balanced in her hands.

Sakura sits up straighter, determined to inhale the juicy dumplings when she hears her brother gasp.

“Oh…”

Kaede’s chakra begins to churn and burst erratically, and Sakura snaps her head to look at him.

“Oh.”

Eyes darting between her brother and Ayame rapidly, Sakura’s jaw drops at what is unfolding before her very eyes.

CRASH

The plates of gyoza shatter as they drop from Ayame's trembling hands, and Sakura isn’t even mad.

Her lips slowly grow into a wide grin as she watches the two teenagers' hands drift toward each other. 

(She can make out Teuchi’s shocked face behind his daughter, mouth open to no doubt ask what’s wrong, but stopped in obvious shock.)

Kaede, who had stood up hesitantly, let his right hand graze Ayame’s palm softly.

The exhale they both release leads him to clasp their hands together and tug her over the counter and into his arms.

Ayame has stagnant civilian chakra. But even that seems vibrant and full of life when tangled with Kaede’s autumn-natured chakra. 

Her brother holds Ayame’s hand and has his left hand resting on her waist. His dusty pink hair has since burst from his low ponytail and dances in the breeze with Ayame’s hazelnut brown locks.

“Ayame,” Ayame whispers softly as she blushes.

Kaede grins at her with boyish charm, “Haruno Kaede.”

And then the two disappear with a shunshin, leaving nothing but residual chakra trails.

Sai puckers his lips in consideration, looking at where the new couple once stood, and turns around to lean over the counter where their gyoza lay on the ground.

Naruto is on the verge of tears- Sakura can’t tell if they’re happy or sad- and Sasuke has already counted out the ryo for the bill despite not having gotten any food. 

Sakura sighs and grabs Sai as Sasuke grabs Naruto, both eager to avoid the crowd about to storm Teuchi’s shop.

“Good for Kaede-nii.”

“Mmhmm.”

I should convince Mama to make tonight's party about Kaede... Sakura hums as she quickly ducks around civilians.

Notes:

I chose Ayame as his partner cause she is an under utilized character.

I chose thyme for his plant because it's often used for cooking (at least in Jamaican culture). The flowers of the herb are beautiful lilac colored candles.

Plant - Thyme (activity, courage, strength)

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of The Color of Her Eyes