Hello readers! The story gets more action packed and juicy as you keep reading, please stick with it! I plan to make it into a long and adventurous story. It will expand way past the little town of Konoha and into the world of our beloved Akatsuki with lots of twists and turns (and romance sprinkled around here and there)! Stay tuned!
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The pale moon stood bright in the lonely night sky. The busy town of Konohagakure was finally settling down on a late winters night...
Wrapped in a thick maroon overcoat with a white scarf, a pink haired girl comfortably treaded through the dark streets. As it could be noted, Haruno Sakura had never been afraid of being in alone the dark. Alone and cold now seemed to be a constant theme in her life.
It had been two years since reuniting with that damn boy and the tiniest details of that meeting haunt her all too often. Running through Orochimaru's tunnels, chasing Sai. Looking up and catching the eye of none other than Uchiha Sasuke. It was hard for her to see how much he had changed without her. She had no other option but to change as well.
Sakura forced herself to focus on her own legacy all the time now. He had her slips when she would yearn for him, but would quickly mask it with tasks and research to keep her busy. It wasn't like he was effected by their separation. Logically, she shouldn't be either.
Her role was now that of an important member of Konoha. Her research to Konoha's medical advancement has given her lots to do, and especially as the apprentice to the Hokage, she was highly regarded. She held an important seat as the supervisory specialist for medical research at Konoha Hospital. It was a very busy position that required heavy loads of researching at all times, perfect to keep her mind preoccupied.
After hours of tedious medical research, her brain would admitingly begin to hover her towards the forbidden Uchiha scrolls in the library. Her long nights in the forbidden section lead her to longer hunts for ancient relics and more scrolls across the land. Honestly, her fascination with study did turn her into a somewhat of recluse along the years. She would still partake in missions here and there, but not alongside her usual friends from the academy.
Her best friend now was the librarian Miki, along with her brother Sageki. Once in a while Naruto would return to Konoha from his training with Jiraya. Ino was busy with her flower shop. Sakura would get lonely but felt comfortable to continue her studies with simply Miki and Sageki along side her. She accepted that she would probably be a lone wolf until the day she died, but she at least hoped to pass on a legacy that could change the world.
Her legacy was currently fixated on finding an ancient Pearl. It was said to unlock unlimited healing and regeneration, but most importantly- it was rumored to have the ability to bring back the dead! Resurrection had struck deep with Sakura her after the fight against the Akatsuki member Sasori. The sad loss of Chiyo in exchange for the revival of Gaara brought Sakura a deep woe. When she got home, her attempts at searching for ancient techniques began. If Chiyo had been taught this technique for reviving the dead, and kept it a secret for so long, there had to be other ways- long forgotten. From this epiphany, Sakura dedicated herself to important research for Konoha's medical teams. She would submit her research to the counsel for approval, creating missions to gather further information.
In her most recent mission, Sakura built up years of information about the pearl. She sent off Sageki to lead this important research. Sageki was a young shinobi who worked as a glass maker for the Konoha weapons department. He was still a low ranking shinobi, which made Sakura the subject of ridicule for placing him as the lead ninja in her mission...even she had her doubts. She knew him well and saw how badly he wanted to prove himself. She knew him too well to forgo the rare opportunity to be sent out on a high ranking mission. More importantly, he was Sakura's dear friend and Miki's little brother, she cared for him.
Sakura sighed and looked up at the night sky, pleading to the lonely moon for his return soon.
On her long walk through the town, Sakura finally turned the corner to enter a small street lined with old houses. She slowly approached the little two story house at the end of the street. The lights were on inside. Sakura's stomach churned to knots. She sighed as she stood outside the foot of the house. Reaching into her maroon coat, she drew out a small gift box with a card attached to it. She stared at it for a long while, contemplating how much trouble she would get in if she just turned around and just went home. She was here to try to fix bad blood, but considered if it was really worth it. In that moment of hesitation- the door swung open and there stood the silhouette of an older man.
Sakura flashed an uncomfortable smile, unsure as to how long he had been standing behind the door watching her.
"Sakura chan!" hollered the big pink haired man at the door frame as he caringly reached out to hug her.
"Hello dad! I am sorry for being so late" she walked over to reciprocate the hug and entered the house she once called home. Her mother greeted her warmly as she removed her coat and shoes at the entranceway, tucking the present back into her coat. Sakura was wearing her favorite baggy green sweater that exposes her collarbones and her tight white jeans that reached to her calves. Her hair was noticeably disheveled. With no makeup on, the bags of sleepless nights are apparent on her face. She was a sight to see.
"Sakura! You look a mess! Where have you been?" announced her mother, helping Sakura enter the house.
"I'm sorry mother, I was working late at the clinic with Tsunade-sama over this strange-" she was interrupted by a knock on the door behind her.
Sakura stood still and confused for a moment. She counted her parents and herself, everyone was present. Another rap on the door alerted her again. She watched the eyes of her parents as she walked to the door and slowly opened it.
She peeked her head out shyly. There stood a tall and broad shouldered man in a thick black army coat and black gloves. His hair was combed over thick with gel and face sported a black goatee. He stood rigidly with a glee smile for a couple seconds. Sakura stood there in awkward silence awaiting a greeting or general rationale for knocking.
"Can I help you? Are you lost?" Sakura asked timidly after moments of silence.
Sakura's mother rushed to further open door, noticing the long pause.
"Sakura! Where are your manners?!" She reached a hand out and greeted the man. "Please come in! Such perfect timing, Sakura just arrived not a moment ago! Come in! Come in!" chirped Sakura's mother. Immediately Sakura stepped out of the hall and made eye contact with her father who stood there in equal surprise and confusion. The man bowed and removed his shoes, holding a large gift bag at the entrance.
"Sakura, this is Michiha Kotsuya. He is the son of my good friend Mariko! The one I met at game night at the community center. Im sure I've told you about her, we won the MaJong tournament last month" her mother chuckled a laugh then a sly grin.
Sakura knew that particular grin her mother used, a fake and mischievous grin, it always made her stomach turn. Michiha bowed down again and gave his formal introduction to the group in the hallway. He was stiff and akward. Sakura looked up at her father with a look of disgust as Michiha was bowing. Sakura's father rolled his eyes to Sakura and gave a helpless shrug. Sakura's mother politely invited the young man to join them in the dinning room, as dinner had already been set.
Sakura turned to the man as her parents began to lead them into the dinning room, "so sad your mother couldn't make our family dinner tonight, I wonder what happened- it must be very drastic, seeing as how my mother and her are such gooood friends." Sakura remarked to the man with a sarcastic tone. Michiha gave a playful smile at Sakura as she faced him. She gave a disturbed pause as she watched him look her up and down for moment before commenting. The back of her hairs curled for a moment in disgust as she caught his eyes undress her- her parents had their backs turned to them as they continued into the dinning room.
"Well, she came down with some food poisoning, unfortunately. She sends her regards! Oh! and a Happy Birthday to your mother. I brought a gift on our behalf!" he turned to give Sakura's mother as they entered the dinning room. He held out the large gift bag he had been holding to her mother as she turned to him. Sakura's mother was smitten, cooing that he shouldn't have and pretending to feel embarrassed. Both Sakura and her father were fairly annoyed by the mans presence and march to quietly to their usual spots on the table. Michiha and Sakura's mother followed in pursuit and they all sat down.
"Wow! This looks amazing did you cook this all by yourself? It looks done professionally" Michiha praised Sakura's mother at the large quantity of food set on the table. Sakura's mother laughed and directed his seat on the table, which happened to be right next to Sakura. Irritated by the seat arrangement, Sakura shifted closer towards her father.
Sakura's mother and Mimiha continued to exchange compliments back and forth while Sakura rolled her eyes at her father.
"If you're lucky you'll only leave here with food poisoning like your mother", Sakura mumbled aloud to herself within earshot for Mimiha to catch. Sakura's mother heard as well and glared an entire lecture at her in an instant from across the table. Michiha smiled nervously.
"I'm so sorry for Sakura's behavior-Kotsuya san, she has just been a bit depressed after finding out one of her boyfriends was" and she whispered the rest of the sentence as though no one else could hear," an international criminal. You know how girls are…" commented Sakura's mother with a smug smile and a giggle as she began to set her plate with food. Sakura sat absolutely terrified at her mothers brazen comment.
Sakura's father also gawked with his mouth open before he quickly tried to change the subject of the conversation. His goal was to be able to at least finish the roast lamb before someone exploded and the scene turned into chaos, much like the other nights Sakura would visit.
"Who are you to be telling people my life?!" Sakura blurted out in disbelief.
"So Kotsuya what do you do for work?" interjected Sakura's dad, trying to prevent a scene.
"I'm a bounty hunter for an agency across town" he said with a matter-of-fact tone. A smile swept across Mimiha's face as he gazed the nervous looks of everyone across the table. "Don't worry! Your secrets safe with me!" he chuckled with his hands up."You've already passed all the background checks money could buy! I trust a cute little thing like yourself isn't harboring any wanted criminals" Mimiha said with a smile as he tried to lighten the tension in the room.
Sakura's eyes were as wide as an owls at the moment. Words wouldn't escape her open mouth...shock had paralyzed her. She now had a stalker, great.
Everyone in the room felt the air get more tense. Sakura wasn't sure which comment was more offensive, Sakura's boyfriend being an international criminal or the stalker to end all stalkers next her. She peered over at her father, her eyes wide open to confirm wether he had also heard what had just been said. Her father paused and mouthed the word 'birthday' to Sakura. He cut a large piece of roast lamb and quickly began shoveling it down his mouth. She inhaled deeply before letting out a big sigh. She should also try to keep the peace she reminded herself. Sakura began to serve herself food, attempting to excuse herself from the ongoing delightful conversation taking place about her between Mimiha and her mother.
"Oh! oh! Is your office in the big agency near the downtown area a few blocks down from the hospital?" Sakura's mother asked in an excited tone. "Because, you know,Sakura works at the hospital right? on the fifth floor! Only the big wigs get to the fifth floor, right Sakura dear?" Sakura's mother chirped in. Sakura dropped her utensils in exasperation. Sakura ran her hand throught her pink hair- what kind of alcohol was she going to need to get through tonight? Was this relationship between her mother really worth saving? Her father was really the only one she wanted to see, and currently she was worried he was going to choke himself to death on lamb. Maybe it was a good idea, imminent death through asphyxiation was probably his only salvation at this point. She shook her head as she looked at him, he was so wise.
"No, I didn't know she did stay on the fifth floor. What type of high wig job do you do Sakura? You a secretary?" asked Michiha facing Sakura.
Sakura ate in silence and offered her dad some water before he left her to suffer the table conversation alone. Sakura's mother intercepted the question due to her lack of commentary.
"Well, Sakura is actuallyan esteemed doctor at the hospital! She is training under the Hokage at the moment!" Sakura's mother proudly stated.
"Funny, your background checks didn't pop that up. Must not be that thorough, huh?" Sakura added slyly before Mimiha could reply. He took in her quick wit with a shake of the head.
"Brains and beauty. You must be so proud, Mr. and Mrs. Haruno! I can see where she gets it from" Mimiha chirped with a big smile as he began to pick at his plate full of food.
Sakura's could feel her stomach was starting to turn from all the brown-nosing. She would never let her mother hear the end of this once it had ended. She was unsure if it would ever end at this time point, it felt like she had been here an eternity already.
The end of the straw came quick once Michiha placed his hand on Sakura's thigh underneath the table, he looked at her to praise her, "such a noble cause to dedicate your lifes' work to healing the sick and-"
Sakura didn't hesitate to stab Mimiha's hand using the fork sitting on his plate. She smiled as he gave out a loud screech in pain. He shot up with the fork lodged in his hand.
"What did your intel tell you about a ninja trained to kill?" She bend her head and smiled at his screams,"don't take me lightly, if I heal- it is only to live to kill another day" she snapped at him.
Sakura's mother screamed with exacerbation while Sakura's father ran over to try to remove the fork from Mimiha's hand. He pulled the napkin out from underneath the plate in front of Mimiha, spilling all the food on his chest and lap. Sakura stood up with contempt as she looked over at her mothers disapproving eyes.
"This is exactly why you will never get a husband Sakura! Why do you have to say things like that in front of a good man like Kotsuya? He came all the way here to meet you tonight and you couldn't even keep your mouth shut for one night! Not even for me, on my birthday!" wailed Sakura's mother.
"I don't want a husband! Just let me die alone, mother! Stop trying to live my life for me already, our goals are very different." Sakura barked at her mother.
"OHH shut up! You haven't been the same since that stupid massacred orphan left the goddamn village. All my hopes and dreams for grandchild are crushed by your selfish actions!" Sakura's mother screamed intensely leaning halfway over the table to spit the words in Sakura's face in retaliation. Sakura's eyes glared at her mothers words. She pursed her lips and slammed her fist on the table-effectively cracking the table down the middle. Sakura's mother screeched in horror. "My grandmothers table!" she yelled as she held her held in disbelief.
Sakura's father sighed as he stood next to the alarmed man covered in food and bleeding through the napkin wrapped around his hand. This was indeed the dinner he had pictured in his mind earlier today. Something broken, someone bleeding and screams for the neighbors to talk about for weeks.
"You've ruined everything!" belched out Sakura's mother.
Sakura's father held a deep pity for Sakura, he knew what it effort it took for her to come. He placed a hand on Sakura's should and gave her a reassuring nod as he signaled for her to leave. He already predicted what Sakura would do, for the hundredth time. "Sakura, why don't you go in the kitchen and get yourself a cupcake on top of the stove?" she softly spoke to her with kindness and understanding. Her eyes, filled with shame, slowly looked up to meet his.
Sakura shot her eyes back at her mother as she began crying dramatically.
"lovely dinner.. wasn't even ten minutes in" commented Mimiha in shock as he held his bleeding hand. Sakura glared at Mimiha as she walked past him in silence.
"So..call me maybe?" he asked before Sakura disappeared into the hallway.
Sakura could hear her mothers cries continues. She began rambling on the many flaws of Sakura, through her sobs and tears.
Leaving the dining room and turning to the hallway entrance, Sakura grabbed her coat, shoes and scarf then she continued to the kitchen. She removed the present that was tucked into her coat and placed it next to the cupcakes on the stove. She looked at the card attached to the top of the present that spelled 'Happy Birthday Mommy!' with delicately cut paper.
She was wasn't expecting too much from tonight, but certainly better than this...she contemplated staying and apologizing for a split second. She promised herself she was going to try to make an effort. Just then, her mothers words replayed in her head- bad mouthing Sasuke. Sakura huffed in anger and didn't hesitate to turn to the kitchen window and jump out.
Being that it was within the top ten of the fastest family disaster dinners she has had in a while, Sakura to treat herself to some ichiraku ramen. She wanted to meet up with her old friend, who she knew had come back into town earlier that day.
He would surely be there.