return to me Chapter 1: Unlucky Number Five, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: No ownership, one can only dream!

Murdered for discovering the truth, Sakura Haruno has three choices: accept death and ascend to heaven, become a ghost only to forever haunt the living, or seek vengeance on her killer and lose her soul for eternity. Sometimes life just isn't fair.

Chapter 1: Meet the new ME

Sakura Haruno was a normal twenty one year old girl trying to make an honest living. She worked as a journalist for Konoha Daily Beat and on the weekends volunteered at the hospital. It didn't take her long to reach to the top. Within two years her editor named her lead investigative reporter and was given the luxury of which stories to chase. Her latest investigation led her to a string of serial killings involving young girls brutally murdered. The one key detail left out of the papers was the fact that each victim was missing their hearts. Sakura stumbled on this information through her best friend and sometimes source Naruto Uzumaki. After a late night of drinking, the hyper active ninja accidentally revealed crucial crime scene facts, but Sakura would not betray a friend's trust to advance her career. A lifetime ago, they had been on the same three man team with Sasuke Uchiha, lead by the infamous copy-nin Kakashi Hatake. As time proceeded each member left to purse their own lifelong ambition leaving the pink-haired girl alone. She tried to flourish as a shinobi, but it was not the same without her original crew. Trying to put another disastrous mission behind her, Sakura decided it was time for a career change. Years later, each member walked back into her life, but she wasn't the same meek girl as before. Due to her new profession, Sakura had evolved into a stubborn strong willed young woman, who would not take crap from anyone. On a few occasions, Sasuke and the young reporter got into shouting matches about the hazards of her work.

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A slow news day had it draw backs, Sakura was trying her best not to collapse on top of her desk of mess, again. Lately she had spent more late nights meeting with a variety of sources regarding the "Heart Shaped Murders." Rumor had it that it was a satanic ritual or black market trading. Being the open-minded professional she followed up each and every lead. Unfortunately, the nocturnal hours were costing her valuable hours of proper rest.

"Haruno, get off your lazy over-priced ass," yelled a bearded grey hair man. "Word on the wire is they found another body. Head over to Konoha Park and take Kyoko for pictures."

"Hai, Kanzaki-san, I'm on my way," perked up Sakura as she gathered her notes, "I'll bring you your cover story, just be a little patient," as she bowed and hastily exited the room.

If there was one thing, Sakura hated it was working with amateurs. Kyoko couldn't shut up about his good fortunes being assigned a lead story. Sakura held in her laugh, because experience taught her that the young photographer would be losing his lunch at the scene. Hell, she vomited the first time she saw what was left of the victim, but five murders later Sakura had developed nerves of steel.

Using her connects with the ninjas at the scene; Sakura had a front line view of what was going on. She could hear Genma Shiranui describe the scene to Raido Namiashi. "My best guess is she was about twenty to twenty-five years old. Cause of death was the removal of her heart. What I can't believe is no one saw anything, just the aftereffect."

"Yea, that poor girl hanging off the tree like a puppet, when can we cut her down?" asked Raido, "It's sick to think someone cut her to look like a puppet."

Sakura didn't stick around for the rest of the conversation; she had heard it all before. It wouldn't be long before they had a positive identification, her sympathies went out to the girl's family. It was bad enough to out live a child, but to learn how she died would be truly devastating. What caught Sakura's attention the most was how the young female's feet swayed with the wind. Upon closer inspection, the young reporter made small notes about her appearance. She didn't look very old and was dressed in a simple knee length white dress with no shoes. Her dress was more red than white, but what creep her out was the fact her jet black hair and makeup was perfectly intact. This killer was insane; each body had been positioned to taunt the local authorities. She was about to yell at Kyoko to take pictures when she noticed him hunched over a bush heaving up all his stomach contents. Sakura shook her head is disapproval, and decided to take the pictures herself. She quickly hid the film in her bra, just in case it was taken away again, before talking to Genma about the crime scene.

"Care to comment about this recent homicide," inquired the former ninja, "Does the local leadership has any leads, suspects, or witnesses?" continued Sakura, but she knew she wasn't going to get any answers.

"Sakura, what the hell are you doing here?" fumed Genma, "This area is closed off to the public, only authorized personnel is suppose to be here!"

"You forget, I'm a former ninja and with people scrambling about it was easy to get this far!" playfully insulted Sakura, "Besides, this is a public threat, and it is my job to report the correct facts. So Genma, how about that comment; I promised to put your picture on the front page."

Genma began to massage his temples, another headache was coming. "Hey Raido, escort Miss Haruno and her friend off the premise with the promise next time you cross into a restricted zone you will face charges for trespassing."

Sakura groaned and rolled her eyes, "Whatever loverboy, I got my story; but I do regret the fact that you might look a tad incompetent in my article. I mean your people didn't secure the scene, and anyone could have come in and ruined all this lovely evidence."

Raido snickered under his breath, this girl was good. She knew that his superior had a massive ego, and played to it. "What do you want, Haruno?" remarked Genma.

"Just a statement, like who made the call or victim's name;" smiled Sakura as she pulled out her notepad to take notes.

Genma left out a small sigh before beginning, "Her name is Mina Osawa, twenty-two years old, and artist. That is all we know, same pattern murdered and just like the other before her."

Sakura nodded as she swiftly wrote his statement exactly, "Off the record, you don't have a clue who is committing these horrible crimes or why." The silent gave Sakura her answer, "Thanks Genma, I promise the article will be done tastefully and accurately. "

"Whatever Haruno get off my crime scene and take your sick friend with you," replied Genma.

Sakura was on her way back to the office to file her report; her mind was reeling with all the nasty details about the latest victim. She out scooped the competition, by to scoring crime scene photos, and statements from the lead investigators. Her thoughts were only interrupted by the whining sounds of her photographer and his lame attempts at apologizing for his lack of professionalism, "I don't what came over be me, I guess she reminded me of my sister or something. Hey Sakura, how could someone inflict that much pain on another human being?" Kyoko replied as he washed his face and mouth with a bottle of water. "Next time, I think you should get another photographer."

Trying to assure her partner he did nothing wrong, she rubbed his back in a calm relaxed pattern. "Don't worry; Kyoko-kun it happens to the best of us. Trust me, it's doesn't get any worse than that."

Kyoko tried to produce a small smile, but settled for a nod of acceptance, "Sakura, I don't think I am cut out for this type of work. I can't see how you're still composed after all that we have seen."

"I just am," Sakura looked up at the stars answering coldly, "Come on, after we finish our work; I'll buy you a drink."

"I'll take a rain check, tell the chief I went home sick," replied Kyoko. "See you tomorrow."

Sakura didn't response, from the way things went tonight Kyoko would be turning his resignation early in the morning. Looking at the backside of her former partner, she didn't notice the other presence until something was snaked around her waist. The pink haired girl gave a slight jump, "Haven't I told you to mind your surroundings, SAKURA," whispered the shadow in a sultry tone.

"Why bother when I have the almighty Sasuke Uchiha to protect me from the creatures of the night," teasingly remarked Sakura as she spun around to look her captor in the eyes. She lend in to give the Uchiha a kiss, but he slightly turned his head, "What were you doing at the park?"

"My job of course, and if you're here to lecture me on the dangers of my work; then save your breathe." Sakura sighed annoyed at the fact that Sasuke had outright denied her.

"I was under the impression we agreed you would pass the story to another one of your coworker."

"There was no we, you told me to stop pursing this matter. Sasuke, I don't tell you what missions to accept or decline. So please, trust my judgment just like I trust yours." As she lifted up her arm and traced it across his chest. To keep this argument from getting out of hand, Sasuke brushed the stray hairs from her face and gave his girlfriend a gentle kiss on the lips, "You know I trust you, but your eyes shouldn't be exposed to such wickedness."

Sakura smiled, Sasuke was the sweetest boyfriend a girl could ask for. "How about you walk me back to the office and then we'll finish the rest of the night at my place."

The stoic ninja gave his trademark smirk, and allowed Sakura to pull him in the direction of her choice. "Hey Sasuke, how did you know I was at the park," asked Sakura briefly stopping to hear his answer.

"You're not the type give up," replied Sasuke, "Just be careful, there is no pattern; Ibiki believes the victims are all chosen at random."

Sakura said nothing, and continued back to the office.

AN: I added a little more to the end, helps set up the next couple of chapters.

So, this story will be pretty short, maybe five chapters. So review and let me know how the pacing is going.