Give Back The Day
Sasuke saw a woman standing casually against the bridge watching him. There was something off about her. Her aura was powerful yet not all of it seemed there. For a moment it seemed like he saw wings on her back but he shook it off as his imagination.
"Hello Sasuke," she said softly.
"Do I know you?"
"No, exactly, but I know you."
Sasuke snorted before turning away from the bridge to head for the cherry blossom grove for some training.
"I wouldn't suggest training there Sasuke."
"Why's that?" he asked as he stopped.
"Let's just say someone bought your life with their own."
Sasuke was clearly confused.
"What are you talking about?"
"It won't be to long now when you'll face Itachi and you'll loose."
"I won't loose."
"Are you so sure little one?" she asked softly. "Its precious to give up ones own life for someone else."
Sasuke would never admit to fear even to himself.
"Come on kid follow me."
"Why should I trust you?"
"At this point in life you don't have much choice."
The woman pushed off the railing and moved forward towards the grove. Sasuke saw Sakura sitting in one of the trees watching the star light. The petals danced around her as if she was made of the said petals. The wind tossed her hair softly back and forth.
"Why have you shown me this?" he asked.
"You take so much for granted Uchiha Sasuke that you don't see what's happening."
"I don't see anything."
"Then you're blind. Go home then Uchiha and forget that you know anything, and remember she's one of the few that can look you in the eye when their red."
Sasuke looked at Sakura once more before turning to walk away.
"You'll regret this for the rest of your life Sasuke."
Sasuke heard her and a whoosh of air shooting past him. Whipping around the woman was gone. A swirl of cherry blossoms whirled around him. Turning back to look for Sakura she was still leaning against the trunk of the tree. Something was off her chakara signature wasn't registering with his senses. No matter how good her abilities to hide it she never did from him. Unless she was trying to hide her tears from him and that never worked.
"Sakura?" he called up feeling stupid.
He stood underneath the tree looking up. She hadn't moved an inch. Something wet dropped down on his arm. Then a few more drops. He figured it was tears until the scent of copper filled the air. Leaping up on the same branch as her he took the girl in his arms. Her shirt that was white he remembered before was red and getting darker.
"Sakura?"
He felt her pulse and there wasn't the steady beating of her heart. Picking her up he noticed that her throat had been slit. In her hands was a familiar head band. It was a leaf band but with a line going through the leaf. Bowing his head he knew what had happened. It was Itachi's way of getting to him through her. Pain like he had never felt before washed over him as he stood with the girl in his arms. With slow care he returned to the village to give Tsunade the bad news. The next day they buried her. Sasuke hid in the shadows watching.
A familiar figure stood among the crowd. No one seemed to notice her as she moved among. The woman looked up strait at him. She shook her head in sadness. Sasuke waited for everyone to leave before approaching the woman. The woman's eyes were filled with sadness. The woman placed a blood red rose on the grave. Then the flutter of feathers made him start. Black feathered wings were mantled over the grave.
"What are you?"
The woman sighed as she rose and vanished.
"It's your choice Sasuke. It always was and always will be. I will give you back the day and use what you know to do right even if it means that you'll have to deal with her for the rest of your life. Make the right one."
Sasuke stood there wondering what the new day would bring.