Where Loyalty lies
Sunrise…Sunset. That is how the days past for the last three years. Time had taken a toll on the ways the world worked and the nights were now spent in paranoia and peace. Or at least she assumed that was how it was now in Konoha. The suspense was probably tightening as they slept…Eating away at their dreams and somewhere softly in their prayers for peace. Somehow in and odd way that made her smile…Not from spite or from the bitter memories…but from some deep desire to dwell on the lighter meaning of that city.
She sat upon the window seal, gazing out to the falling sun. It melted away, spilling its vibrant shades of yellow and orange into the blue line of the horizon. Small patches of violet and blue began to fade in; the moon thickening into sight in the pale sky, and the stars slowly beginning burn. The breeze was soft, chilled in just a way to make her rub her arms for warmth. Truly the wind was that of the fall seasons.
She lifted her head, upward now, toward the sky closing her eyes as if trying to take in the last bit of sun. Her skin pale and smooth, radiant as it shinned lowly in the sun. Her head drawn back as her features were curved in a small smile, allowing her smooth light pink hair to hang neatly above her shoulders. She opened her eyes…Light jade, soft with sadness gleamed out to the open scenery; slowly the sun was faded, hidden somewhere beyond the horizon. She sighed, lifting her self up to the mountain breeze.
She looked back, into the wide open room. It was empty abandoned, but clean and tidy with a mirror hanging like a scroll in the back wall of the room. From where she sat she could see herself, her reflection that mirrored the Sakura Haruno of the now. She sat upon the window seal of the far side of the room. Her body now that of a woman with curves more defined in detail; her hair the same…Short, as a reminder of her vow, and light pink like that of a cherry blossom. Her face more framed and narrow showing she had indeed aged. Her eyes were still the same soft green shade; however they were darker …deep with some unknown sorrow and some hope of happiness.
Her skin was smooth and pale…It told she had not seen the sun in some time. Maybe she had hid herself away from the light in spite, but none the less she was a maiden of the night, proud and tall with features that would make any bloomed rose envy her composure.
Her attire only worked in her favor. Wearing all black brought out all of these features all too well. She wore a sleeveless vest like top that zipped up into a turtle neck and it was short showing her mid section slightly. She also wore shorts; tight hugging her legs for more movement with a sash that was slit open from the sides. A belt hung on her waste holding various items; kunai, shuriken, senbons, and a scroll.
Sakura was now growing impatient…Times were tough now…Sakura had never meant to leave Konoha. It was more forced. Just some months earlier, while training in the mountains, she was attacked. The bitter sweet irony was enough to make her sick. Thinking of her attacker made her clench her fist in anger. Who else but the notorious Orochimaru had come back just to be rid of her…Saying to blame Sasuke for her misfortune. After a time of torture…He sent her off the mountain side and into the ravine.
Sakura's memory was blurred…Who has time to think when they are falling off to their death? The next vision that rose in her mind was being brought here. The door suddenly slid open. A large mist ninja whos features where close to that of a shark had stepped in rubbing his neck in frustration. Sakura recognized him a Kisame and greeted him with a nod.
"You ready?" he asked in a slightly annoying voice
Sakura sighed and let her smile fade from her lips. "As I'll ever be." She said standing now.
"Good. Here is what we need to do…" Kisame knelt down and laid out a scroll. The scroll contained a layout of her beloved city, Konoha. The layout was all too familiar to her; the ramen shops, in which Naruto had dragged her off to multiple times. The flower shop Ino's mother owned, and the academy which was near the monument of the now 5 hokages. However the map of the city lay out had broke off, and another part of Konoha that she had not seen was palinly visible. Unmarked and unknown. She looked with interest.
"This is the upper side of the city. Located way on the other side, across from the main gate." Kisame explained as Sakura followed his finger on the paper, reconizing the roads and path ways. "This space here..." he siad placing his hand on the unmarked territory. "...Is where we need to be. This was the Uchiha province before the incident." he said bluntly.
Sakura was fully aware of what happened there. The complete and total slaughter of the Uchiha clan and she knew who was fully responsible for it. Sakura leaned against the wall and looked down to the paper. "Alright...So whats there that we need to find...What does he want?" Sakura asked.
Kisame smiled and rolled the scroll back up. "Hehe. I have no clue...You know Itachi...He's so secretive." Kisame said in a playful manner, stading to face Sakura. "All he said was that we need to head to the main house and look for a silver box marked with the Uchiha ensigmia. He wouldnt say anything other than that." he breathed.
"I know the feeling." she said lowly. Sasukes face suddenly appeared in her mind. Cool and calm just as she remembered , curved with a small smug smile, concealing his inner most secrets. Sakura couldnt help but connect the similarities between the two brothers. For the past 6 months Sakura had the pleasure of getting to know Itachi...Strange as it was, Itachi had been the one who had pulled her limp body from the river...Or at least that was what Kisame had said. He had brought her here, to this small house on the outskirts of Konoha. From what she understood, it was a safe house for the Akatsuki. Itachi and Kisame were sent once more to keep close to Naruto. Sakura wasnt disapointed, it fit his style, his personalty.
Since her awakening 6 months before, Itachi had always been very secretive in his intentions. Even she when she asked o be trained by him, his eyes where hidden with a shroud of secrecy. But he had accepted her proposal...and since then Sakura remained there...Here...in the safe house, training day in and day out from dawn to dusk with Itachi and Kisame. Sakura held her arm, shifting slightly as she could hear her bone crack where it had broke. She shuttered.
"I bet you do." Kisame uttered stretching his arms. "We have to go..." he said lowly "Suit up kid." he said tossing her a black Akatsuki cloak.
Sakura sighed and placed the coat over her shoulders. The night had finally come...The last light of the gifted sun had faded into blue, and the moon was now fully visible in the sky. The stars burned with white fury and the violet silk streaks had marked the sky as far as the eye could see. Sakura looked back to the window seal. She reached over and lifted her headband and tied it proudly around her forehead. She placed the hat on her head and turned to Kisame. "Im ready." she said bluntly. Kisame smiled and the two headed out for the famed village of Konoha.