Chapter One: Back From The Past
Morning came.
The sun's rays kissed my porcelain skin, embracing me with its warmth. Although today seemed promising due to the clear blue skies and gorgeous summer weather, today was just another hopeless promise I knew I shouldn't have prayed upon. I sighed, resting my back against the cold windowsill, looking out at the peaceful village I knew so well.
"Another day has gone and you still haven't come back. Mom, dad, where are you?" I spoke to myself a lot; I do it constantly as if it has become my morning ritual before starting the new dawning. I guess I am one of those girls who reminisce on hopeless dreams I know will never come true. It's been 15 years since my parents departed for their mission; today is the anniversary of their leaving and they have yet to come home. I clinched my upper right arm by my shoulder and scratched the bandaged that hides my secret, knowing deep down what the truth was about my parents' fate, but the little candle of hope inside of me still burns strongly; (yearning) longing for the day when my parents walk through the main gates once again.
The spot where the bandage was began to burn. I clinched harder; trying to cease the pain I loathed my whole life. This burning sensation wasn't something new or from a previous burn, it is what the Elders of Konoha call, "Dark Chakra". Only selected races of people have this chakra; they are called Mudbloods. One out of hundreds of thousands of babies are born with this type of dark magic, cursing them with a fate many have taken their lives because of it.
I am one of the blessed ones to have been given this "glorious" chakra.
During the first Ninja War, it was said that the deadly flash of light, known as the Enlightenment of the Five Nations, was caused by Mudbloods. This 'Enlightenment' nearly wiped all of humanity. However, the non-Mudbloods, known as 'Purebloods' who make up everyone else on this Earth, turned their fingers to the Mudbloods and blaming them for the catastrophic conclusion. They enslaved us, raped us, and murdered us, nearly wiping the Mudblood existence. I am the last Mudblood known, or so I have been told. Although over 100 years have passed and Mudbloods have been given 'freedom', I am not treated like a human. Daggering glares of fellow villagers try to pierce my soul as if they are envisioning my death by their hands. I am unwanted here in the Five Great Nations, but the little candle inside of me still flickers and with the protection of Tsunade, the Hokage, I have been able to get back on my feet again, brushing away the glares, the spits and verbal and physical abuse, at least for the most part. I don't blame them for their scorns and mistreatment towards me; if I was them, I would do the same.
The burning wasn't subsiding.
"Damn it," I bit my lip; a tear drop of blood dripped down my chin. It was increasing; 'it' wanted to be released.
I grabbed a kunai from my pouch, letting it kiss my forearm to drain some of my blood.
The burning slowly ceased to exist as blood painted my arm and the chestnut floor board below me.
Harming myself is the only escape to stop the cursed chakra from releasing itself and emerging, like it had done years ago.
No one but Tsunade and the Elders of Konoha knows about the other side of the curse; her name is Hotaru. Hotaru is an identical clone of myself, looks and all, but she was crafted by the Mudblood chakra; an evil twin you might say. Its essence is similar to Naruto's kyuubi. To differentiate me from other Mudbloods is the dragon like tattoo on my upper right arm, where the bandages lie, signifying the evil twin within me. Most Mudblood's chakras did not craft such an evil; it's why, to this day, the ANBU Black Ops and the Elders try to experiment on me to see exactly why I have this identity inside of me; I wasn't part of the Tailed Beasts like Naruto is, so it's why they ponder over this phenomenon.
Hotaru, she thirsts for blood and murder and every once in a while she'll burn the dragon mark, until I bestow pain onto on myself; if I am hurt, so is she unless she is the one causing me pain, on purpose, than she is not effected. She does it for her amusement, so clearly hurting me is funny to her; I guess whatever makes her happy, even bestowing pain onto me, is better than letting her bloodlust consume me and endure in events I will be unable to control.
My cell phone vibrates; it's Tsunade.
"Hello?" I tried to hide my groaning, to make it seem that everything was okay and that I was not in pain. I put pressure on where I had torn my skin apart.
"Morning, Sakura", Tsunade spoke with glee, "have you gotten the new missions organized and ready for the newly graduated Genin?"
"No, Tsunade~Sama, I'll get them to you right away."
"Thank you," Tsunade then hung up. Flipping down my sky blue flip phone and placing it in my back pocket, I heaved myself up from the windowsill, wrapping my fresh wound up with an ace bandage and placing a light, navy blue zip up hoodie and proceeded to the 'File Room', which was just outside my bedroom in the Hokage's Tower. I lived here with the Elders of Konoha, Tsunade and Shizune and Ton-Ton; though I was unwelcomed by The Elders, Tsunade took me in after hearing about the 'Uchiha cataclysmic massacre fifteen years ago and since then she has been taking care of me, like a loving mother would do. My mother and Tsunade were best friends, so it's not shocking that she had taken me in. After the cataclysmic conclusion of the Uchiha incident, I was in critical condition; not only from using both of Hotaru's and my own chakra, Itachi tried to kill me by using his 'Tsukuyomi.
I too, am part of the Uchiha Clan. My father, Dennis, is an Uchiha while my mother, Alyssa is part of the Haruno Clan. Only Tsunade knows about my Uchiha blood, and of course, so does Sasuke and Itachi; not even the Elders know of my true identity. Ashamed of being part of a forgotten Clan, I took my mother's maiden name, to honor her family; I no longer wanted to associate myself with the Clan I once praised and loved. Though, it's not the Clan's liability for my change in identity.
"Let's see here," I rummaged through the dusty files of missions in the room I was sent to. This room really needs to be organized and cleaned. Seeing rotting cockroaches and spiders wasn't very inviting, if I do say so myself. Finally finding the new missions Tsunade wished for, I carried the pile to her office that was only one flight of stairs downwards.
"Kakashi, you know I can't do that," Tsunade's voice echoed through the sturdy chestnut wooden door that had led to her office. I pressed my ear against the door.
"You know it would be best for her, Tsunade-Hime. I don't want to cause trepidation, especially after what had happened the other night between you and Sakura." There was silence in the room after Kakashi's voice softened, hoping no one was hearing the conversation.
What is he talking about? What happened the other night? Wait- he doesn't mean…
I uncontended with knocking on the door; it was as though I was trying to face a fear I was unprepared and unwilling to face at this very moment. Sweat began to roll down from my temples.
I proceeded to knock after a few meditational inhales and exhales.
"Good morning, Tsunade~sama, I have the missions you asked for. Oh, good morning, Kakashi~Sensei, it's been awhile since we've seen each other!" I acted oblivious to the conversation I overheard just moments ago.
"Good morning, Sakura." Both said with voices barely protruding from their lips. Forcing a smile upon my face and trying not to make direct eye contact with my former Genin teacher, I handed the pile off to Tsunade; she seemed pleased, as if the conversation with Kakashi right now didn't happen. Kakashi let out a sigh.
"I request a day off today. I'm still frail from my last mission." With Tsunade's approval, Kakashi took one last glance at me before proceeding out the door; he knew.
Tsunade's eyes couldn't meet mine, it was as if an invisible brick wall was bestowed before us, preventing us from seeing or hearing each other's words of thought.
I knew exactly what was going on.
"I'm worried about you, Sakura, and so is Kakashi." Tsunade confessed, placing the piles of missions down upon her cluttered desk of finished missions she had to sign off.
"I know." I muttered as I exhaled, hoping she and I wouldn't need the 'talk' again. Tsunade hoisted herself up from her leather chair and peered out her window. Konoha was a peaceful village, and with the summer's embrace and sun-kissed hues painting the village, it was breath-taking. As the great-granddaughter of the First Hokage, Tsunade was passionate about her village. She had her heart and soul craved into the core of this village, just as her great-grandfather had done; she would do anything for this village. Shizune, entering with Ton-Ton in hand and a cup of jasmine tea in her left hand, Tsunade's favorite.
"Good morning, Tsunade~Sama, Sakura~Chan!" Shizune was always cheerful and filled with elation; nothing seemed to break that flawless glow she had; I admired her for her optimistic aura.
"Good morning," Tsunade and I said in sync. Shizune smiled and handed the jasmine tea to Tsunade. She then placed Ton-Ton down on an eggplant colored velvet pillow that rested besides Tsunade's desk. Taking the cup and placing her red stain lips against the china to embrace the sweet nectar of honey she thirsted for each morning and every night. That was her morning routine before proceeding throughout the day, Tsunade (lost in her own enigmatic guarded mind very few have entered.
"Tsunade~Sama," Shizune was reluctant to interrupt Tsunade while she reminisced of forsaken memories she wished she could experience once again; surely, she was missing Dan and her younger brother, Nawaki. "Your tea is getting cold."
"So it seems," Tsunade escaped from her past and re-awoken to the present. Placing two sugar cubes into her drink, Tsunade took one more sip before proceeding with her daily mission assigning.
A smile emerged from her face.
"They're coming home today." Her smile seemed to grow wider to the very thought of it.
"Who is, Tsunade~Sama?" I was perplexed to what she meant by "they're coming home."
Could it be My parents? No, could it be…
The door creaked open with a fast swing.
It was Naruto.
My eyes widened to the site of a figure who left as a boy and came back as a man. His eyes enlightened the room as his presence made this stuffy room arouse in a fresh aroma of his warmth. His hair was slightly longer and body more built up and firm. A new jumpsuit was sewed for him, suiting his (newly structured / built) new body. He was gorgeous.
My heart began to race and pound against my chest, causing uneasiness within my body; I felt faint.
"Granny, Uzumaki Naruto is back!" Naruto gave her thumbs up, as though he knew his entrance brought contentment to her. He approached Tsunade, without looking at me; it's as though he didn't recognize me. Behind him was Jiraiya, his (silver) platinum white hair flowed like a wave as he walked into the room; he seemed as though he just woke up. Letting out a yawn, he greeted Tsunade with a gentle wave.
Tsunade's grin grew wider, showing her pearl white teeth, and embracing Naruto with a hug.
"Welcome home, Naruto." She was happy to see him again; her skin seemed brighter seeing the man Naruto had become. Returning the hug, Naruto thanked her.
"Remember her, Naruto," Tsunade released the hug and stared directly at me. Naruto followed, staring at me with his exquisite icy blue eyes.
Then, it hit him.
"Sakura!" He leaped towards me, pummeling us to the floorboard below; his body was on top of mine, our lips nearly touching; his breath danced against my skin as he released his words of disbelief that it was me. He leaned up, staring down at me.
"You're as beautiful as ever," those words just seemed to eluded from his lips; his face flushed up and quickly tried to throw other words out as though he was trying to cover up what he just said; but it was too late. I chuckled with a delightful bliss. I was happy he came back, it's been too long.
Lifting himself back onto his feet, Naruto helped me up and began to rub the back of his head and smiled with embarrassment, "it's great to see you, Sakura~Chan."
I agreed with a nod.
"So," he struggled with his words. He couldn't seem to speak the words he wished to be spoken, I guess you can say he was tongue-tide.
"You seem well," I tried to help him along, smiling at him, hoping he sees the true happiness I am bearing with him.
"So do you, Sakura~Chan. It's been three years, you seem different; a good different, not a bad different hehe." He stuttered.
I chuckled, I felt at peace; I was happy.
"Erm," Tsunade interrupted, "not to intrude on your reunion, but there is some business I need to discuss with the two of you about." Her grin faded and a sterner look (appeared) emerged. At attention, Naruto and I stood before her desk as she placed herself down and taking another sip of her tea. "As you know, for three years, your group has disbanded into separate paths, though one will not be reunited, at least for now. However, all shinobis need to have a minimum of three members." Clearly referring to Sasuke practically abandoning his village, becoming an outlaw in the eyes of the Elders and the citizens of Konoha, it would seem Tsunade has something she is unwilling to tell, but has no choice. "I have assigned you a new member to your group. He is a recruitment of the ANBU. A fine shinobi with great marksmanship in summoning beasts through his work of art. He is sharp minded like the ANBU, so he can detect nearby enemies for miles and can read the inner most thoughts of others; a skill very few ANBU are capable of." She seemed to be praising him now.
"A new member," Naruto lashed out; I jumped to his howl. "No, Sasuke, Sakura and I are all a team; he will come-back. Why are you giving up on him so easily? Isn't this the reason why I went with Jiraiya, to learn new ways to grow stronger to bring Sasuke back and to benefit for myself?" Naruto was screaming now, his voice shook the room, enticing his rage even more. His hands became fists and his teeth gritted against each other.
"Let me finish. Don't just to conclusions so quickly, Naruto." Tsunade hollered back, hoping Naruto would listen before lashing out like he used to do. "He will only be a temporary fix before you all go and retrieve Sasuke. For now, he will be a good substitute for the time being." She cleared her throat. "His name is Sai, at any moment now, you two will be greeted by him and your substitute Sensei, Yamato. Kakashi is on temporary leave to recover from a previous mission."
Naruto seemed to calm down a bit, however, now I was aggravated to the fact that we had to go and bring Sasuke back; doesn't she know that's putting the village into danger?
The door behind us opened and two men walked through the door; a man about Naruto and I's age whose expression showed irritation and the other about Mid-Thirties, he too was irritable, also seemed to have just awakened; messy brown hair and headband crooked.
"Ah, here they are now." Tsunade stood up, introducing us. Neither of us spoke at the young man named Sai; the silence was building up anger and more irritation throughout our bodies, easily lingering into our pores and flowing steadily through our veins. Sai smiled, however, and we forced ourselves to do the same.
Tsunade cleared her throat, "alright, now for the mission. We will all discuss the procedures tomorrow and manage a thoroughly thought out plan that will hopefully keep you all out of a danger no one should face. For now, depart and we'll meet again in the morning."
Without hesitation, Naruto, Sai, Yamato and I departed from her offices and went our separate ways to rest for the troublesome journey in the morning.