I looked out to watch the beautiful sapphire colored water. Waves running to land thus crashing , tumbling water made their way to the shoreline. I layed inches away in pearl white sand, various shells laid amongst me. The salty waters scent made it's way to my nose, calming me as I drew circles in the sand . I heard footsteps behind me. The sound of crunched sand disrrupted my calm appearance. I looked over my cloth covered shoulder to see the grinning face of my older brother. His dark brown hair blew in the oceans wind. He made his way closer to me as I looked back to the peaceful scene. It was nearing nightime as I watched the sun inch closer and closer to the waters edge, disappearing in a couple of minutes. I came out here everyday just to watch nature take it's lead. Numerous colors of indigo, purple, red, orange, pink and yellow were being painted in the sky.
I felt sand cover my finger as I looked up from the breath taking sight to watch my brother plop down on the sandy ground, sand being shuffled around from my brothers movements. I watched as his dark emerald like eyes scanned the ocean view thus landing on me. A smile adorned his masculine features, a gift from our father. He then leaned forward , his long locks brushed my face, tickling me in the process. He laid a chaste kiss to my forehead then wrapping his arm around my fragile shoulder. His brotherly affection made an identical smile appear on my face. Seeing my smiling face brought yet another smile to his face. Almost like a mirror effect, we both looked back out to the ocean just in time to watch the sun lowering it self closer and closer to the line separating the sun and the water. Before we knew it, the sun vanished leaving onyx colored sky above our heads. Another hobby I enjoyed doing. My father taught me constellations, 'pictures in the sky', he would tell me. Faint sparkles could be seen in the sky. My eyes landed on a fairly large star that was situated on the right side of where I was sitting, the other stars around it couldn't even compare to stunning night object. My father brought it upon himself to make it 'my star' and named it after me when I was around the age of five years old. I felt proud of myself that I had something so beautiful belong to me. I wasn't a selfish girl I just admired the simple gifts that were given to me. Around my tenth birthday my fathers strategist, Nara Shikaku, informed my father that the 'Sakura star', was really Venus. A warm tingle in my stomach grew as I stared once again at my star.
" Father told me that him and mother are leaving tonight. There taking a journey to the Fire Country to meet with Emperor and Empress Uchiha." I looked over at my brother in bewilderment at the news. Why didnt father tell me instead of having to here from my brother? I was about to ask-
" He didn't want you to find out, it was to be kept a secret. He took Shikaku and his son with them. It must have been something very important." The new information sinking into as I looked back up at the night sky. Still pondering of why I was the last to know. With knowing the way gossip is spilled about our abode , the maids probably knew it before I even did. My fists clenched the light blue silk of my kimono in my lap, torturing the poor material. My knuckles turning more white then the sand we were sitting upon. " I'm surprised that mother didn't inform you. It must be really kept a secret."
Minutes passed and silence filled the area of my brother and I. It seemed that my brother didn't take a liking to the silence, he always was a talker, the sistuation of the matter being included. He stood up brushing the specs of sand that stuck to the back side of his dark forest green and crimson colored yukata. Once satisfied by his work, he reached out his hand to me, his promise ring sparkling in the moonlight. His large hand hand engulfed my own , the rough surface of his hand from long day training rubbed against my soft delicate ones. Girls in my family are only to be used as trophies, displayed to the public, nothing more. I was lucky enough to be able to to allow my father to let me study medicine. My sensei , Tsundae, was a legendary sannin that I've known since I was born. She was my mother's midwife for my brother and my births. She is also the best medic known through out the Five Great Nations, she was my role model, my own second mother if you will. I remeber the the fascination I got from watching her bring things back to life, healing, and beating her perverted teamate to a bloody pulp. I asked her one day when she was coming back from a long visit to the Fire Country, helping with their medical field and teach rookie medics-to-be. She was more than gladly to accept. I was about the age of seven when I asked, the perfect age to start learning such skill, her words not mine. I had to learn basic ninja skills , nen-justu, ta-ijustu, gen-justu. Years passed and my family and even foreign ninja , not to mention other Kages of different nations believed that I would one day surpass Tsundae. They praised my excellent chakra control, having the ability to break powerful gen-justus, and of course the crazy strength that was passed down from Tsundae.
When I turned 17, Tsundae left me to do my own thing. We both still got the chance of healing side by side together also traveling with her to various countries. She gave me some of her old textbooks that were very high-tec and only experienced medic-nins could understand. My father was very against the whole idea, but some persuasion from mother and Tsundae, and a little 'pretty please' from me got me to where I am today.
I felt a soft tugg on my arm, I looked up , a concerned look on my brothers slightly tanned face. I forced myself in a stance, my brother helping me the most. I searched for my black leathre slippers, a simple gift given to me when my father went to Rock Country. I felt my brothers hand on the back on my kimono, brushing the sand that has also taken a liking to resting upon my clothes. I quickly found my slippers in a matter of seconds, black in a sea of white was easily spotted and found. I slipped them on, my brother already walking to our destination. I hurridely made my way to him, I linked my hand once again in his. The warmth bringing me a feeling of safety and protection. We soon came to a rocky slope , I had a history of scraped knees and cut hands from this bloody slope. Although it's a pain I still will take a scrape for a calming night watching the ocean.
I watched carefully as my brother took the first step. His long stride helping him get to the top alot quicker than mine. I was dragged behind hoping to not loose my balance, my left hand gripping every rock I had in reach. My clumsiness was not a good thing when climbing a structure that was nearly identicalto that of a straight wall. In a matter of seconds we were safetly on the leveled ground, I looked behind me getting a tad bit woozy at the sight of the height of the cliff.
I let go of my brothers hand and walked to a trail that would lead to the palace. It wasn't to far away from where we were standing know. What scared me the most was the night creature lurking about. The creatures are surely dangerous, even though it was early night. My brother had to experince it himself one night. My father and brother got into a despute about a small village on the western border of the Water Country. The village was attacked by a grouph of rouge ninja from the eastern side. The poor village was burned to nothing but ash. They took no prisioners, all the lives of the young and old died by their hands. There were no survivers who were able to escape, the rouge ninja were definately smart. My brother thought it would be wise to rebuild the destroyed village while my father thought it would be good to use it as a grain field, the ash supported new soil. Which of course my father thought that would be good for cropping and new wheat fields, since we are running low on that supply. Anyway, my brother ended up leaving during dinner and went for a very long walk past the palace boundries, it was past midnight and he still hadn't shown back up. It's already forbidden to stay past 10 'o clock in palace boundries. I asked the outside guards if anyone had seen him, but no one said that they had. After hours of worrying I sneaked out and went in search of him.
I took the same trail that lead to the beach hoping he might be there. On my way to the trail I heard heavy breathing and low moans a little off the trail. I pushed past tress and bushes and finally found him hunched over the ground, his hand holding onto his left side, which was bleeding huge amounts of blood. I quickly ran back to the palace, my brother on my back. Tsundae was quickly informed and at the the infirmory in a matter of minutes. We were able to heal the wound , no infection was made. All thats left is a faint pink scar located just a couple centimeters from his belly button. He never told us what ...or who attacked him, he didn't even know what attacked him.
Without noticing that we were already coming in close to the palace front gates. Night guards sprinted over to us, the red and white that adorned their armor made them look like pink flashes. All of them stopped infront of us, they formed a half circle around us. The head guard bowed down on one knee.
"Lord and Lady Haruno, your parents have been very worried. We will inform them that you have returned unharmed. Lady Sakura, your mother wishes to see you in her chambers as soon as you can. Reasnons unknown." the head guard then rose . His salty colored beard was weaved into a braidm I couldn't help to giggle at the hairstyle.
" Thank you. Inform my mother that I will meet her as soon as I can."With that said the guards and I left quickly walked to the entrance door of the palace leaving my brother and another half of the guards behind us. I looked behind to see the same head guard talking to him, he then nodded his head. What could they have possibly said to him?Knowing him , he'll probably tell me later. We never keep secrets from each other.
After taking a quick pit stop at my chambers , refreshing myself, I quickly walked down the dark hallways lit only by paper lanterns. The flames flickering every so often, giving the halls a haunted look. Picture of my ancestors adorned the door cherry walls. One caught my attention. It was a picture of my granfather on my dads side. He was my longets living grandparent, he lived to be 106 years old, quite a high number with my families genteics. He had warm green eyes, kind and loving. His black and silver hair was slicked back while his long beard gave me wonderful child years of beard kisses. He played and talked with me when I was first born all the way to when I turned 15, which was only 2 and a half years ago. He favored me more than my brother, although my brother didn't care that much , he was more of a mother/granmother type of boy.
It was only a couple days after my birthday that I got word that my grandfather was falling ill. I stayed with him all day , missing my training sessions and eating times with my family. He told me to go and have fun, to not worry about him. I said no on every suggestion. It was until that very morning that I lost all hope. I was awoken by loud shouts and butstling equiptment moved about the room. Tsundae had her hands atop my grandfathers bare chest, the light green glow of chakra shining brightly aganist his pale skin. I stood frozen the whole time, not being able to move a muscle or even talk. Tsundaes chakra was fading slowly, her head dropped, the room grew silent. I was confused, did she run out of chakra? NO! I quickly ran to his side, shaking him hoping for him to wake up...but he didn't . I felt myself silently crumble to the ground. Tears escaped my eyes as heavy sobs filled the room. I felt a warm pair of arms encirle me, long blond hair fell on my shoulders. I looked up to see Tsundaes honey brown eyes. She whispered sweet words of comfort as I fell asleep in her arms.
It took weeks for me to recover , I layed soundlessly in my room doing nothing but crying my eyes out. Tsundae and my family would come and sooth me and help me cope with the lost. All I really wanted was my grandfather, my amazing, warm, funny , loving grandfather.
The door of my parents chambers came into view. Two guard were on opposite sides of eachother. They were both huge, muscles adroned their every body part. They can probably snap my very own head like a tooth pick. These two in particular always were with my mom. My brother told me one day that father hire them for mothers protection, he was always protective of her. Then again every Haruno man was protective of his lover and children. .
The two of them saw me at the same time. opening the doors in sync as I walked into the huge room. I saw my mother by her vanity,combing her long ruby red locks. She caught my reflection in the mirror and stood up dropping the brush she had in her hand. her arms brought me into a tight embrace whispering in my ear. " I'm so glad your okay. You had me worrying sick." She then cupped my face in her hands and kissed my forehead, just like my brother had down an a hour or two ago. " I need to tell you something," she took a hold of my hand and brought me over to my parents bed. Her face held this mix of emothions... concerned, worried,caring. I remebered about my brother telling me about her and father were leaving tonight to go to the Fire Country. I scanned the dimmly lit room and saw 5 large leathre trunk suitcases by the door. So, my brother was right, I then felt a tight grip on my heart, how could nobody tell me about this. My father didn't want to tell me , my brother had to go behind our fathers back just to tell me. My mother didn't even tell me , but I had this wierd feeling that this is what she called me for.
" Sakura, " my mothers soft voice caught my attention as I felt her hand rest upon my right shoulder. I looked back over to her. The confusion on my face was all an act so that she wouldn't feel bad, we never kept secrets away from eachother. Two old gossiping women, although we didn't gossip all that much, more of just random converstaions about nothing. Thats why it hurt so much that she didn't inform me about their departure as soon as father told her. I gave her a quick nod to start talking, she got my message and I watched her inhale deeply before she started.
" Your father and I are leaving in about 20 minutes to make our way over the Fire Country, " she finally said as she looked deep into my eyes. Her dark brown eyes not moving one centimeter. It looked as if she pulled a deathly leech of her chest and was now brething for sweet air.
Being naive and confused was the game I was going to play tonight.
" Why?" The words rolled off my tongue. I saw her yet again take another deep breathe.
" Your becoming of age that would be the appropite time for you to start searching for a ...," she didn't finish the rest of her sentence as we heard a hard knock on the door. Without a single word said, the doors opened to reveal my father in the very flesh and blood. His dark brown locks, same like my brothers touched his shoulder in soft waves. His pale skin contrasted nicely with his emerald like eyes. A dark brown yukata with a beautiful pattern of green and gold vibes were sewn onto the soft cloth. He had a brown cloak on, espically made with the Haruno Clan symbol that rested on his breast pocket. There was an even bigger symbol of the symbol on the back of the cloak, I had an identical one of his. .The Haruno Clan symbol was a circle, the edges being a brilliant white. The white symbolised purity, the history of my generations never commited one sin, from poverty all the way to royalty. While the circle was a way of warm arms circling the center meaning that we will be loyal to whatever needed our help or just wanted to be friendly allies. This was symbol that was sewn on to every piece of clothing I owned, I was proud to where the Haruno Clan symbol. I hope that when it comes time to marry that I will marry someone of a lower status so they will where my symbol and I not having to where another clans symbol. I dont' mean to be cocky it's just the way i was raised. ' Be proed of the Haruno symbol. Wear it with poise and grace' , my father would tell me every so often.
" Syuki we have to get going." My father rough voice breaking the silence in the room. A diffrent set of guards came in, taking the luggage with them as they left. I felt the bed shift as I watched my mother walk over to my father, they shared a chaste kiss. Mother then left with quick 'good bye' and left the room, leaving only my father and me behind. I looked back over to my father as I saw him walk closer, thus stopping only a few feet infront of me. The candles eluminated hie face. I could see small sparks of gold in his eyes, the same thing happens to mine when light shines off my eyes.
" I'm guessing your brother already told you of our soon departure." I gave a quick nod, his eyes rolled in sync as he accompied me on the bed, sitting in the same spot my mother did only seconds ago. " I hope he dosen't have a slippery tongue when he becomes Kage," his voice held a tired feeling in it. Had he gotten no sleep today? Most trips we make at night , my family and I sleep during the day , so we wouldn't be worn out if there was an ambush or other dangerous matters. I then took a hold of his aging hand rubbing it with the pad of my thumb. " He'll make a great Kage, maybe even better than you," I hoped my comforting words did something. A small smile was placed on his face as a small chuckle echoed through the room. I looked down at our entertwined hands, my small soft petite one in his big one. His knuckles were giving my thumb something to do as I brushed my thumb over his knuckles. I caught a glimpse of his right hand move to my chin, raising it so I would look in our twin like eyes.
" You will always be my baby girl," he said. He's told me that many times , but he said it as if I was never going to see him again. His sweet words and moms un-finished sentence were starting to worry me, not to mention the trip him and mother were taking tonight. Not to ruin the moment with unwanted questions, I lifted my right hand and cupped his right cheeck, his stuble tickling the palm of my hand.
"And you will always be my daddy." With those last words said a soft kiss was given to my both my cheeks lastly my forehead.
" Sleep good my little hime." I felt a wave of exhaustion come over to me as I layed back onto the soft matress of my parents bed. A soft glow then dissapeared, so did my father. The sound of tumbling waves of the ocean being my own unique lullaby.
A week already passed since my parents brother and I were the only family in the palace, other family members were in other countries or living their normal lives. I started to get worried by the third day, my mother would usually send a letter of some sort, even if it was telling mw that her and my father were safe. I couldn't help but to wait at the front gates watching as the messanger came and went, no letter from my parents was given.
It was just another dinner in the dining room. I sipped silently on the wonton soup placed in front of me. My brother reading a scroll. He usually dosen't bring reading materials to the dinner table, even if mother and father are absent or not. His eyes never left the material, his dinner was going to get cold if he kept this up. I was about to give him a piece of my mind when I heard the dining room doors open, a cute blond servant scurried in, he arms behind her back as she came up to my brother bowing softly then handing him a rectangular shaped piece of paper that looked oddlt familiar to that of... a envelope! I stood up , nearly dropping the chair on it's back as I made way to the other side of the long dining table. The servant looked from my brother to me, she then looked down to her hands where another identical letter was in her hands. Hoping not to scare the girl by my sudden enthusiasim in what she was holding.
I snatched the letter out of the poor girls hand without any noise as I walked back over to my chair ripping the envelope to shreds. I opened the folded piece of paper reading my mothers words.
Dear my Daughter,
I'm sorry for not writting you as soon as we arrived in the Uchiha palace. I hope you weren't worried about us. It seems as though my first letter I had originally sent was to be looke over my messenger officials, pretty big security they got here. I then had to write this letter giving it to a guard so that when the messenger comes, the guard can give it to him without the officials seeing.
It;s so beautiful over here in the Fire Country, the cherry blossoms are in bloom about this time of the year. Our room as a view of the garden, so that every time I wake up I'm met with flowers that remind me even more of you. I hope you are also doing well. No staying out past midnight with you brother walking on that ridiculous trail of your that you and him found. I don't want another creature attacking my two little sweetheart. Your father misses you also. Emperor Uchiha and him have done nothing nothing but known stop meetings and discussions including Shikaku with him in mosst of the meetings not to mention the Uchiha's stratigist, Hiashi Hyugga.
I have yet to seen the two heirs of the Emperor, I here they are quite the lookers, gossip I hear from servants known and then.
Well, I'm sorry to keep this short but I can only have this letter so big. See you really soon...
Love, mommy
I felt a wave of relief wash over me at reading the letter. Now I only hope that they will make a safe return back. We could then live our normals lives like before, or so I thought.
Sakuras brother pov
I made my way out of the didning room leaving Sakura behind. She seemed to hold onto the letter like it was her life line. I had a scroll that I've have been reading over the last days, father had given me several to look over when him and mother left to Fire Country. They were old documents from past Kages all the way to ones the my father written and signed.
I reached into my back pocket of my traingin pants as i broughtt out a letter that the servant girl gave to me only mintues ago. I saw my name written in the front of the letter , my fathers hand writting following with it. I put my index finger under the tab lifting it up, the sound of ripping paper filled my ears. I turned the envelope up side down watching a folded piece of paper drop down on my hand. I opened it with ease unlike my sister who nearly ripped it in two. I scanned over it contents, the information settling in as felt a smile nudge it's way onto my face.
" Empress Sakura Uchiha, Has a nice ring to it, " was all that said as I could just feel the change in my sisters future.