Disclaimer: I will say this once for the entire story. I own nothing, only my own ideas- none of the characters.
A/N: Hello! Welcome to my new story, The Hollow. I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!
The Hollow- Prologue
The wind blew cold at her back as she gazed upon the stone before her. Slowly, she raised her fingers to trace the letters of two names that made her heart break.
She had been gone for two days. Two whole days, and her world had been turned completely upside down.
Her parents were gone. Gone. And she was all alone now.
Her teammates, the two people who were supposed to always be there for her had abandoned her, left her to become stronger, cursing her to forever be left in their shadows.
And she couldn't take it. Without a support system how was she supposed to survive like this? Her family was gone, her best friends were gone- and she was all alone.
"Sakura?" The voice was quiet. "We have some things to discuss, your parent's things along with your inheritance."
The pink haired ninja turned slowly, and gazed into the eyes of her Hokage. Tsunade's face was stern, but soft as she looked upon the small form of the girl before her. Sakura was only fifteen years old, barely old enough to be able to take care of herself.
Being only a genin she couldn't take on well-paying missions, couldn't afford to keep the payments on her parent's home. How was someone so young going to fare on her own in the world?
"O-okay." She said emerald eyes sullen and downcast as she followed behind the leader of her village.
The trek to the Hokage tower was swift, the crowds having dispersed upon the notion of rain. Dark clouds were broiling above.
Once the long trek up the stairs was made, and the door to Tsunade's office opened, the Hokage motioned to the chair before her desk. Sakura sat down, refusing to meet her eyes as she dabbed at them with a damp tissue.
Tsunade cleared her throat and began shuffling through some papers. To be honest, her parents hadn't left her with much in the way of money, or estate. It seemed as though her family was a normal, hardworking civilian family.
"I'm not going to make it, am I?" Sakura whispered- the realization crushing her chest as more tears slipped past her closed eyes.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. This girl was broken, yes, who wouldn't be after such terrible news? But to give up completely? How could she sit here and watch such a promising young woman just give up?
"Stop it." Tsunade snapped her amber eyes full of anger.
Sakura jumped, her tear filled eyes meeting those of her Hokage. Sakura opened her mouth to protest, trying to defend her sadness but Tsunade interrupted her.
"You have too much promise to wallow around in your pity, Sakura." The Hokage said, adverting her gaze to the window that overlooked the village.
"But, what can I do?" The pink haired woman sighed, dropping her gaze to the floor. "I'm not strong. I have no talents…"
Tsunade's eyes snapped to the face of the pale woman before her.
"Stop it. I'll talk you as my apprentice. Show you how to become strong, how to find what your weaknesses and strengths are. I…I'll help you become the ninja I know you should be." Tsunade said, her eyes growing soft as she took in the look of shock on Sakura's face.
"R-Really?" She asked.
Tsunade nodded once.
