Hello Readers! I know...some of you are wondering WTF you're writing another story and you haven't finished Becoming One! Yeah i know...but i found this story and when the Author said she was discontinuing and giving it away...i couldn't resist! I read it and fell in love. It's such a creative take on the general Mulan storyline that i just had to have it. So this is my tribute to 33LoLillie-Chan33. For those of you who have started reading her version...some things are the same and some are different. Anyways i hope you enjoy!
As for an update on Becoming One...I'm almost finished with the next chapter. Considering i'm busy with my Internship i'll probably be posting monthly updates. I know totally sucks considering i used to do weekly but i just don't have the time anymore :( But let me know what you think!
SMASH!
That was mama's favorite vase, Sakura realized as she cowered in a back room. She had to stay still…she had to stay quiet. Someone was coming to save her.
"Come out come out wherever you are..." a dark voice taunted her.
RIP!
And those were the blankets mama had embroidered herself. Whoever this man was they were trying to send a message…and succeeding.
"You can't hide forever little girl..."
CRASH!
He was getting closer. The fine tinkling of that sounded with the crash could only mean china. Probably the china tea set Sakura had bought for her mother.
"Now, tell me where your papa has hidden my things..." the voice growled menacingly.
What things?! Sakura could only bath in her own fear. She stared at this strange man's shadowy movements from behind the wooden panels, hoping the dark shadows would hide her existence. He was so close, and any minute he would be in the same room as her.
Must stay still, must stay quiet, she chanted to herself.
It had been mere minutes ago when Sakura returned home with her nursemaid Lao to prepare for bed. It was late and her mother and father were out discussing "things" with an old man with white hair.
And then her nursemaid screamed. On the floors past the main gates lay blood. And the headless body of a female. Sakura stared in shock and she didn't know what she was supposed to feel. But when Lao pushed her away, yelling at her to run, she only reacted and ran. In front of Lao's frail form stood three men with frightening smiles and that pushed Sakura to run as fast as she could. She ran as fast as her little six year old feet could take her. Passed the rooms with torn rice paper doors, passed a corridor that seemed overrun with a liquid that she didn't want to think about and passed the destroyed meeting room she had often sat in.
She ran till she reached her mom and dad's room. Her feet led her across the wooden floorboards until she reached the large wooden closet. The walls were extra tall so that mama would be able to hang her clothing inside without worrying about dust or the hassle of folding elaborate garments. It was at the end of the room and was similar to a wooden wall except that it had even vertical spaces. Her father's clothes hung here and since he didn't use as much of the space as her mother Sakura found it easy to crawl into the large nook at the back. But what Sakura forgot in her moment of panic was that her father used this nook to store their most precious heirlooms. Thinking on her feet the small girl surrounded herself with the precious artifacts hoping that the scary man would only see the trinkets and miss her completely.
He was in the room, walking towards the closet. Perhaps she would be safe back here in the corner? Would he be able to fit back here? The nook was as high as the room itself.
The burly man produced some sort of weapon larger than twice is head and it glinted in the subtle moonlight. With a heaving gasp, he smashed the now glowing weapon into edge wooden bars. A maniacal smile lit up his face when the walls on that side collapsed. He sniffed the air.
Aaah…the scent of a cowering young child. Better yet, it's female. He would enjoy his revenge on this Haruno as the payment for her father's debt. That pathetic man who stole his dear Kiyari. Who took the jewel scrolls he had inherited. Who had tried to kill him! He smirked, one side of his gruesome face showing more teeth than the other. Did she really think she could hide from him? Foolish child. Her frightened energy was as bright as the day light; he had merely been toying with her earlier.
Sakura could barely breathe as she watched him advance towards her. She thought she was safe, and that he would not notice her, until he crouched and smirked as their eyes met.
"Found you," He tore the wooden panels away with his bare fist.
Sakura looked up at him in terror. She didn't like this. Not one bit. This was the kind of man used in the tales mama had told her. Tales of men who preyed on little girls. Men who were never found and only known through the bodies of the blue lipped girls who were left in the woods with their skirts torn and blood on their legs. But she couldn't move. She just stared on helplessly as he grabbed a fist full of her brilliant pink hair and dragged her out of the room. She threw her little fists against him, trying to get free. She shrieked and yelled and prayed and begged to be let go and still he would not.
When she grabbed an ornamental dagger to stab him he merely swung his mace at her, forcing the dagger out of her hands and deep bloody gouges cut her delicate skin. Sakura just stared at her hands in shock. Not once had she ever been hurt. Not once had she seen her own blood. And then the pain came. Hot and sharp it travelled through her hands and wrist. For what seemed like eternity, the blood ran and she could only cry while holding her hands close to her chest. She didn't see where she was going, staying absent to the world until her hazy mind snapped to attention upon hearing another male voice.
"So the boss caught a cutie eh?"
She stared, two other men were in the tea room. One with rust colored hair the other with brown. So the man who found her was the "boss". And then it sunk in. it wasn't just one man that would touch her…it would be more! She started screaming again trying to get free.
KA-THWACK!
She fell head first onto the floor. She tried to grasp her head to keep it from spinning soaking her hair in blood.
"Break her hands and feet. We don't want her getting away. And untie that thing of hers." The boss ordered pouring himself a drink.
She just stared up at the rust haired man in horror, No...he wouldn't…he wouldn't...he...no!
Her lips opened up in a silent scream. There was fire burning up her arms and legs, unrelenting and merciless. Without realizing it, her mind was forcing her body to push out chakra as a plea for help. And then she fainted, consumed by a black abyss that calmed her and took away her pain.
Sakura opened her eyes and took in the pure darkness around her. It was as if she was suspended in mid-air. The space seemed thin almost ethereal.
"Hello? Is anybody there?" Her voice echoed timidly in seemingly never ending dark.
Hey there ME!
Sakura reeled back in shock. A huge white…something that looked like her was right in front of her, only she was at least a few hundred times her size.
I am not! I just happened to be a bit bigger because I own this whole place duh!
Just who was this crazy person? Looking like her and talking NOT like her.
I am you! The being responded cheerily, hands on her hips.
Apparently, it could read minds as well.
The being sighed, you are in your own mind. I am you. Like…your split personality or something. Get it? Think of me as your conscience but in human form! Kinda like you're possessed, she added cheekily.
POSSESSED?!
Ouucchhh! The white figure like thing covered her ears. Don't talk so loud!
Er...sorry?
Much better. Now, I'll talk to you some other time. Meanwhile, you need to worry about keeping your clothes on, she said with a small hint of sympathy in her voice.
Huh? Wait... I still have questi-
Sakura slowly opened her eyes. What had happened? Was it some kind of odd dream-world phenomenon?
What? So she was in her head now? NOOO! She didn't want to be crazy!
Shut up! You aren't crazy. Maybe a little stupid…
Am not!
So the little girl has some sass eh?
What's that supposed to mean?
Nothing...I'm just glad you aren't a complete goody-do-good-whatever-you-say-mama and daddy's-girl.
I am NOT!
Hey! Noise level! What am I supposed to think? All you ever say is yes mom...of course dad...whatever you say mom...
Okay…I get it...so what are you anyway?
Funny how you get more out spoken when you talk with me eh?
Huh? I-I am not...I-I just...
Yeah, yeah…anyway, like I said…I am you. I'm just the part of you that actually admits that she hates wearing dresses!
B-but...I…
So stand up for yourself for once my Kami-sama! And say you don't like it…
I…
And since you're awake can you take care of that bastard who is taking of your clothes?
MY CLOTHES!
She broke out of the trance she had been in and realized that yes, her clothes were gone. All that was left was the under layers of her kimono and her underwear.
"So the little girl wakes up eh?"
That voice had come from behind her. His breath was hot against his ear followed by his tongue. She squirmed away from the disgusting feeling only to he held still by his hands…that were officially wandering in places that they shouldn't be.
She screamed, "LET ME GO! LET ME GO! STOP TOUCHING ME!"
"Oh I will do more than that little girl. Much more than that..." he purred and continued his defilement
"Iss pretteh 'mazing thad theh boss h'ain't tak'n 'er cloths arll off eh?" the brown haired man slurred.
"Get that tooth fixed up Kuzo. Can barely hear what you're saying," the rust haired thug growled.
"Ah said thad 'ah thogh't boss was gon'ta haf 'er wih, ya know wha t'aim sayenng?" He continued while making obscene gestures.
"Oh yes. He is well known for all those ahem, 'blue-lipped girls'," the other leered.
"Thas rait Thehgoji! Boss'es a plehtg'ofshile eh?"
"The names Fukoji you idiot, and it's pronounced. Pedophile…peh- dou- file!"
Sakura's eyes widened...she may be young, but she was quite known for loving the library. As such she knew exactly what that word meant and right now she wished she didn't.
"So the little sweetie knows who I am, eh?" His hands moved down south.
At this point she was so subdued by her nerves that she had already forgotten about her Inner Sakura who would probably have given her some good advice.
"You like it don't you? You do? Oh dear…I can't reach you well enough though...hmm…"
She just stayed still. He's stronger than you. Any movement will just make him hurt me worse.
"This should do it!" And he tore of her beautiful silk under layer, now she was completely exposed. His leer grew more sinister as his eyes roved over her soft porcelain skin. Sakura whimpered but continued to stay still. She felt so strange. It wasn't like when she dreamed of a monster coming to steal her soul. Or like that time when it had been dark and she thought she had seen a big black figure. This was unknown. So unknown and scary and she didn't know what to do.
She had never known what had actually happened to the girls in the woods, or why they had blood on their legs and only their legs. She had always wondered what had happened because her mother never told her. She only knew it was bad. But now, she thought she was going to find out in the worst way possible.
By experiencing it herself.
His hands were caressing her bare thighs.
No…no this can't…this can't be happening. Mama! Papa!
Scream you idiot! Scream and kick and just do WHATEVER YOU CAN!
B-But…he…he's stronger…
JUST BLOODY MOVE ALREADY!
Inner's loud voice jolted her into action. She began screaming and kicking like a cat on bath day.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH! OTOU-SAAAAAAAAAAAAN! OKAA-SAAAAAAAAN!" She screamed as loudly as she could, her high-pitched voice causing the boss above her to wince.
"Shut the hell up!" He backhanded her, slamming her head against the wooden floor.
"NO!" She couldn't give up now, "LET ME GO!"
"You little bitch..." He growled and turned her around whilst pressing her face down onto the floor, scraping her now exposed sensitive skin. He grabbed a blade and pressed it threateningly against her back. "You still want to disobey me? Hmm?"
She stiffened. "Please don't...d-don't..."
"Pity…all this lovely skin…" He began etching patterns on her back, "You are going to scar quite nicely," he smirked.
Her back erupted into flame and she tried to wiggle away. But it was futile; he had her pinned to the ground. The cuts were long and shallow, not deep enough for her body to go into shock.
She tried to bear with it, biting her lips so he would stop chuckling at her discomfort. Then she felt the pain ebbing away.
Inner?
Hey sweetie. I'll be helping you out ok? Hang in there... It'll just take a minute…
Okay…
Seeing as she wasn't giving him much of a reaction anymore, he pursed his lips and stabbed her hard with the inch long blade, and dragged it slowly down the side of her back.
Sakura's eyes bulged but didn't scream or whimper. Unfortunately it didn't stop the tears from escaping her eyes. Strangely enough, she couldn't feel the pain…yet...
It seemed that she spoke too soon. This was worse than her broken limbs. Worse than the wounds on her hands. Worse than the backhand she had been given. She wouldn't be able to keep quiet. She only wanted scream and let the pain out.
Shush! Don't give him the satisfaction of hearing your pain.
The blade twisted.
She was still quiet…but only barely. Blood coated her lips from being bitten so hard. She could feel something warm coiling around, numbing the pain to keep the worst of it at bay.
Fire continued to course up and down and around her back. Then she felt it go lower…and lower…
And then everything stopped. The snickering of the two other men. The movements of the blade. A pregnant silence filled the room along with a burning hatred. The dense feeling made Sakura cringe wanting to flee from whatever furious being had entered the room.
"Step away from my daughter."
DADDY! She rejoiced inside her head.
"Well now, isn't this a surprise. The damn Haruno is back early," The boss intoned dryly.
"Dokiru! What are you doing? Why did you hurt her?!"
MAMA!
"My dear Kiyari," he stood smiling sweetly at the woman, "I remember when you used to call me Dokiru-kun. What a shame..."
"You were the one who tried to kill my father. You were the one who was dishonorable," her mother bit back.
"Yari-chan, stop conversing with filth. It is not becoming," her father ordered.
"Of course. Gomen Kyodu-kun..." Sakura could recognize the teasing lilt of her mother's voice.
"Enough talk…unless of course you want to prolong dear Sakura's suffering…" the boss, Dokiru, dropped his knife innocently scraping the soft flesh of Sakura's naked hip.
Everything happened incredibly fast. One moment the man had been taunting her father, which no man should ever be stupid enough to do considering he was the head of the ANBU. And then the next moment he and his two friends were against the wall of the house with steel wires around them.
"Hmmph! Barely a Chunin and he tries to fight with me," her father growled holding the two men tightly.
"Sakura-chan!" Her mother rushed over to her started healing her. Her mother was no medic-nin but she had a well enough control over her chakra to be able to separate it and partially heal her daughter. She had taken basic courses as a girl and luckily kept up with the practice.
Sakura just smiled. She was safe and her parents were here to protect her. Her body, after the traumatic experience, finally decided it could rest. The adrenaline left her body encouraging relaxation and sleep.
As peaceful darkness began to take over she made one final promise to herself, I will never be helpless again.
"One more…lap...just one…more…"
"Add ten to whatever you are doing Sakura."
"Ugh…Okay!" she shouted at her father.
"And once you are finished add another two stones to each of your limbs and start again," he ordered from the porch where he sat drinking tea.
"Argh…" she groaned. Her legs were getting tired, if she didn't get a break soon they were going to start to spasm.
It had been ten years since the incident and Sakura had blossomed into a beautiful, if not a rather brash young lady of sixteen. She disliked and no longer wore floor length kimonos and had a rather unhealthy dislike and fear for all things male.
Contrary to her mother's speculation of her dislike of skirts, it wasn't entirely because she had the experience of it being ripped off. Something she was obviously not eager to experience again. But Sakura could not train in kimonos and found them to be a hassle. But she could not be bothered to tell her mother that. Besides she was a good daughter and wore them when needed.
And as to her dislike for males…well she knew them a selfish, pig-headed lot that only wanted three things in life: money, power, and sex. Almost becoming a blue-lipped girl when she was young was not much help either. Her experiences as a child definitely reshaped her view of men. The only one she trusted was her father.
But she had found out about two years back that she could tolerate chatting with the occasional man. If her parents hosted a dinner she would be polite and lady-like, much to her mother's pleasure. But the moment an interested male tried to approach her with even a hint of mischievous intent, she would immediately put them in their place…she would erase the memory of such encounter with a high level medical jutsu and no one was the wiser. It wasn't that she did that to every man she encountered. In reality she has only used that jutsu twice and both times in private. Most men and young men she met were respectful but that was to be expected with their noble birth. To be caught acting disgraceful with a woman would shame them and their families which of course would not be tolerated. But if an anxious young man tried to come onto her in the streets she never hesitated to send that unfortunate soul sailing through the air and out of the village. The male population definitely learned quickly to not be deceived by the petite pink haired lady's exotic beauty and to never get on her bad side.
And with being a young woman of sixteen Sakura started noticing some differences in her behavior that she, on a good day tolerated and on a bad day cursed herself in the most colorful language that never left her lips. She actually started finding men attractive. What a betrayal to her ideals! Men were nothing but pigs but she, on more than one occasion, happened to be present when some of the young men were training…shirtless…and she could help but ogle. Would she ever admit it out loud…never. But even she couldn't hide it from herself that she definitely wasn't immune to their impressive physiques. Training for the shinobi corps definitely brought out the best of them physically.
As for women, she did have one good friend, which she cherished and defended whenever propriety allowed. She wasn't going to go on disgracing her friends and have their families take it out on them. No her volatile behavior was reserved just for her. But in all reality, most of the noble women were far too concentrated on powdering their faces and marrying a Hyuuga or an Uchiha or one of those other males in the high ranking clans anyway. This practice Sakura always inwardly and occasionally outwardly scoffed at. Those women were weak and easy to take advantage of. A position that Sakura would never find herself in as long as she lived. And she'd be damned if she let her future husband ever push her around.
Ugh…I need to stop thinking about this before I vomit.
What? You know it's going to happen soon anyway.
Exactly why I don't want to think about it. I don't want to know what sort of ugly, demeaning, stubborn, and utterly prideful man I may end up getting stuck with.
You're just in a bad mood. Once you've calmed down I believe we can have a rational conversation on the subject.
…Maybe…
"Finished!" Sakura called out immediately bending over trying to catch her breath.
"Go and do five hundred sets of lifting that rock," Kyodu ordered not even looking up.
Sakura's jade eyes widened and her jaw went slack looking at her next obstacle, "It's twice my height father!"
"The problem?" he looked up at her expectant.
"Nothing…" she sighed before slowly trudging up to her next object. She knew he meant it in the best way.
Her father had taken a severe blow to his leg and became crippled in an attack about a month after the incident. The doctors, and her mentor Lady Tsunade, said he was lucky to keep his leg but his life as a shinobi was over. He retired honorably, and now only attended to his duties as a noble in the Hokage's court. While her family was not a member of the honorable clans such as the Hyuuga or Uchiha, they were wealthy, and a mix of civilian nobles and shinobi. And Kyodu had no qualms with teaching Sakura the ways of the shinobi when she had asked him to. The blue-lipped incident ten years ago was more than enough reason for him to train his daughter.
And if there was one thing that she absolutely admired about her father, he was not intent on marrying her off or telling her to watch her mouth and stay in her place. She loved that about him. He let her be free to speak her mind and in turn it helped her learn and grasp concepts that might have been impossible were it not for his influence. He was however, adamant that she train until she couldn't move anymore.
They had started off small; a rock that weighed no more than five pounds and weights for each of her limbs about three pounds each. She was to run forty laps a day and do a hundred push-ups and then after that they would spend the next half a day learning different styles of taijutsu. Although her father could not leap and jump as he used to, he could still smack her arms with his cane if they were too low or high and would, quite literally, smack her into position. She improved fast not wanting to feel the cane's sting and then listen to her mother scold her father about the violent training. As a woman who was now of age to be married she had to look her best at all times; something Sakura always rolled her eyes at…in private of course. She would never disrespect her mother in that way. She knew she only meant well considering the society they lived in. Noble daughters were married away and on a rare occassion the man a woman would marry would come to love her and she him. But usually noble marriages only bred mutual respect and never love.
But every day she would train in the morning and would spend the afternoon learning how to separate her chakra from her life-force.
"Sakura, breathe in and out. Focus on your energy, feel it move within you. Now, give me a water-dragon!"
She breathed in, listening to the energy that coursed through her like music flowing in the wind. She felt her chakra leave her life-force and instantly react to the environment. The more chakra a shinobi could separate from your life force…the more power, control, and large ninjutsu's a shinobi could perform.
"And don't you dare say its name!"
Sakura had showed a high potential in the control of her chakra just like her father. Being able to completely separate it from her life force on her first try and was able to send it to all parts of her body on the second try. It was a well-known fact that the best of the shinobi had no need to speak out their techniques, although they tended to use overly-exaggerated movements or at times would use a hand sign. Sakura had control that was good enough that she had no need for any of the three. If she willed it to happen then it did. Even the most disciplined ANBU and the legendary medic Tsunade didn't have chakra control that was that refined. But Sakura wasn't one to boast…at least not to her friends or male company. Her power was her own secret kept strictly between her and her family.
She was quite adept at almost all the elements. The only element that needed a hand sign was fire. This was because in order to make fire, one needed to have control both the inside and outside energies then push it together and create a hot friction that would spark fire. In the beginning, she had needed to be in a snake stance, a foot in front and one stretched to the back holding equal weight and her hands would be in the tiger sign, and could only do a fire ball through the mouth. Now she able to hold a hand sign on one hand and create a fireball with the other. She would concentrate her chakra into her words while imagining the tiger sign and then waving both hands in a ridiculous motion to create fire. And even then she had needed to be in a snake stance which aggravated her greatly. But she had come far since all she needed was a single handed sign or a murmur of the words. Fire was a stubborn element, no wonder the Uchiha's specialize in fire considering they were the most prideful, bullheaded not to mention an honorable clan in Konoha…as well as high ranking members of the Hokage's court.
She had started her shinobi training a month after the incident and had started the training of her chakras at the age of eight. Now it was merely refining the way to fight while using the elements; which is why it frustrate her that she still needed the snake stance. Of course, she could do other things like running up a tree for hours, standing upside down with only her fingers, and sparing with her father's chakra string controlled puppet on water. You know the easy stuff. And we're not even going to talk about genjutsu…with her chakra control it was almost a joke, although she had yet to test her skill against an Uchiha sharingan. And that was not going to happen anytime soon considering that she would never get the opportunity to ever train with one.
"Sakura, I only told you to stop the bleeding," her father admonished.
"Sorry...I couldn't help it. I just wanted to try out this technique," she started to explain her hand over her arm.
"Where did you even get it from? All I ever taught you was how to stop bleeding and how to regenerate the skin, not how to regrow a bone and nerves and every other miniscule thing in there. How did you even know how?"
"It was a scroll that Tsunade-sama gave me."
"The matchmaker?"
"She is also a renowned healer..." she reminded him it a slight glower.
A soft hissing sound interrupted their talk as a purple skinned diamond back snake poked his head out of Sakura's sleeve. He slithered down her arms towards where she was healing the cut on her arm. His tongue shot out tasting the air around her bloodied arm.
"I thought I told you to keep that snake away from your training," her father admonished glaring at the purple fiend. He didn't really mind that she kept it as long as it didn't interfere with her training or terrorize her mother.
The snake was one of her favorite pets. She had healed her snake a few years ago when she was just learning how to heal skin. It hadn't been easy and she hadn't told her father but she had tried to duplicate its cells. And she had failed resulting in a ridiculously long snake that also had her chakra in it, and believe it or not, the snake could make itself bigger or smaller. Its typical size was about half her height and it was often wrapped around her upper arm or back. It had stuck with her since she healed it and she had named him Kigechu.
Often, just to shock her mother, her snake would jump out during dinner, grab a bite of fish, and jump back in. This often resulted in her mother looking very annoyed, but she said nothing as the snake's venom, she had found out once while bathing with Sakura, was very good for the skin. But then she realized that this only applied to her and that was probably due to the chakra bond. One poor maid who had tried getting the venom from the water for herself had gotten a few alarming rashes and had nearly suffocated from foaming at the mouth.
Her only other favorite pet was a lovely stallion that had more muscle than a tiger and a coat of fur so dark he blended into the night. Strangely enough, his snout was white as snow and had a few black lines on it. His mane was the same colors as his midnight coat and would shimmer beautifully under the light of a full moon. Sakura's favorite rides were the ones at midnight where she could fully admire the beauty of her stallion. She had taken to calling him Yoru. He had a dislike of snakes too, and had nearly trampled on dear Kigechu when they first met. They were sort of best friends now in an odd animal companionship sort of way. She didn't even try to understand it.
But they were her best friends and the bond the three of them shared could never be broken. This was evident by the fact that Kigechu never left her body and Yoru would never let anyone else ride him.
"Sakura stop rolling up your hakama!" Her mother shouted, "And put your hippori back on! I don't care how hot you feel!"
The one thing Sakura never liked to do, and abhorred with every fiber of her being, was to expose a single part of her body. Perhaps it was because of the incident or perhaps it was merely because women were not supposed to expose any part of their body anyway. But in public the only skin anyone would ever see exposed on her was her face and hands.
Sakura's training attire consisted of a pair of steel ended bindings that made for easy access at least to her. Not for her mother. A meshed lined short sleeved steel top shirt went over her bindings. The hakama she wore was an adaptation. There were steel ends on the sides and the ties ended up somewhere at her waist. The pant legs were a narrow cut and had ties threaded in at the bottom for when she trained and decided to tie it up on the occasion that she actually got hot, of course, her father yelled at her for this because she was exposing herself. She never understood that complaint…she was in her own backyard training where only her family would even see her. On top of this she wore a cropped hippori that had a thick tie that went in the opposite way at the bottom and had narrow sleeves.
At home, when she was not training, she kept her mesh top and bindings on along with the hakama. But over it, she wore a thin connected sleeved kimono that had slits up the sides of it. However, unlike the typical kimono, it tied the way a traditional hippori would. The hakama was a shade of true black and her kimono was a dark green while the band on it to tie was a flowery black and gold pattern.
When she went out, she would be forced to tie portions of her long pink hair into little braids and patterns and she found it thoroughly annoying. She also had to wear a, what was in her opinion flashy light peach and gold ko-uchigi on top of it that she found horribly troublesome. Not to mention hot under the Konoha sun.
"The dinner that you made tonight was very well done Sakura. As is the Kosode and Samue that you have sewn together. However, your weaving skills require some work, and so do your embroidery skills."
"Mom..." Sakura softly sighed. She hated this side of herself…she would much rather train.
Sakura had a busy childhood. While training in the shinobi art, she had also been learning the ways of a woman. What frustrated her mother to no end though was the fact that she had calloused hands and scars on her body. Not to mention the fact that she had also deemed any nobleman her mother had tried to set her up with as a, "chauvinistic, power-hungry, and so bloody full of air it's amazing they can live on the same land!" Oh that line infuriated her mother to no end when she first spoke them; hence why her colorful language was now kept to herself.
Her mother wished she knew where Sakura had gotten words like these. She also wished she knew why Sakura did not enjoy being in the company of the other more refined girls. Even if she didn't enjoy their company per se, it would be beneficial to always have those connections in court. She recalled Sakura saying once when talking about making connections, "The Yamanaka girl is forever sticking her chest out against the Watanabe, Genji, or Mushi just to compare. They forever primp in front of an ornate mirror they can barely hold, and all they ever talk about are which men to marry! Oh I want an Uchiha, oh I want a Hyuuga, or oh I'll take a Sarutobi or even Namikaze. How boring of a life is that?!" Kiyara only sighed and shook her head as her daughter's stubbornness.
And Sakura disliked being a noble herself, or at least the concept of it. The only thing she appreciated about it was she didn't have to clean the house and the fact that she did not need to put her clothing on by herself. It was still her duty to make food for her father and mother, and when she had a husband it would most likely be her duty to prepare food for her family as well. So how did the straightforward brash darling survive? Her mother had always had the duty of cleaning the main family rooms, serving food for honored guests and picking out the clothing for her main family as well so Sakura had little to no practice. Not to mention her father took her side far too often in matters like this and she usually got out of any practice her mother tried to put her through in favor of training. Those arguments were increasing recently though considering she was now of age and had no training in being a proper house wife. And she would obviously need the training. While her family was wealthy they were not as high on the noble list ergo her marrying into the upper families like the Uchiha and Hyuuga were slim to none. Not that she cared, as long as Tsunade matched her up with someone who could respect her she probably wouldn't care if he turned out to be a humble farmer. She could picture herself with someone who would mind her boundaries and Tsunade did know of her past…she would be kind with whoever she would pick for Sakura.
With that in mind Sakura finished the dishes then turned in for the night.
The next morning Sakura found herself wandering to the house of the only friend that she liked, Hyuuga Hinata. Hinata was the only woman her age that Sakura felt comfortable with discussing the opposite sex. The main reason was she knew the Hyuuga heiress was never one to gossip. Sakura admired her shy and bashful nature, probably because Hinata was so different from her. It was almost like a breath of fresh air being in her presence. Hinata also wasn't one of those women who judged Sakura as competition, both women being natural and exotic beauties found common ground in their dislike for excessive primping and powdering. As such, she would often sit with Hinata and discuss the blonde Namikaze prankster who the navy haired heiress always had a secret crush on. And on a really good day both women would happily stare at any and all young men who walked in their line of vision…especially if they just happened to sit where they had the absolute perfect view of the training grounds.
One of the perks of visiting Hinata at her home was that it was a popular place for high ranking clan members to train, namely Hyuuga Neji who would spar with Uchiha Sasuke and Sakura would happily stare at their sweaty and muscled bodies discretely. Poor Hinata also turned as red as a tomato but would not take her eyes away from the entrancing scene. Sakura knew she found them as beautiful as she did, especially their taijutsu spars, or when Sasuke practiced kenjutsu…mmmm…very graceful. And once, she had met the eldest son of the Uchiha clan. She had been rather surprised that she was not annoyed by him at all. Nothing about him spoke of arrogance or cockiness. Instead, he merely seemed confident and had ignored all the simpering females of the Hyuuga house with an ease she found she liked. He was definitely interesting which, in Sakura's book, was a giant red flag. Every male…and she meant every…always pissed her off in some form or another. Either they ogled at her body, which automatically put any male on her shit-list, or treated her like any other meek, brainless female, which of course she had to fix as soon as possible. It was rare to find any man that treated her equally without even knowing her. And that was dangerous since she didn't know how to treat him.
When her mother questioned her frequent visits Sakura easily explained that she enjoyed Hinata's company as well as the company of those high ranking younger boys. She could still vividly recall her mother grinning like a maniac and never hesitated to make sure Sakura spent quality time with the Hyuuga girl in hopes of her catching some clan boy's eye. And she also made sure Sakura did not disgrace herself in front of such influential people. Sakura readily agreed…she certainly wasn't going to jeopardize her nice view or the pleasant friendship with Hinata.
Knocking politely on the clan gate, Sakura was instantly let in after informing the guard that she was there to see Hinata. By now they knew to expect her visit, every Wednesday Hinata and Sakura would meet for brunch and chat. She was led through the wide hallways she calculated to be at least five feet wider than her own and reaching a height of ten feet tall. The walls were expertly decorated in traditional Japanese mixed with the clan crest and colors. Her journey though was not long as Hinata was expecting her and had set up tea on the veranda as was their tradition. It was a beautiful and spacious location that both women admired. Sure the male view was great but it also had a stunning view of the award winning Hyuuga gardens. The wood deck was lined with tall white columns and greenery grew in a circular motion up the pillars. In spring the bees would pollenate the variety of flowers making the area richly fragrant. This was definitely their spot.
"Ohayo Hinata-sama," Sakura stopped at the edge of the table offering the heiress a small bow of respect. She had definitely earned Sakura's respect and was the only woman, besides her mother, she would willingly die for.
"You are very welcome and please call me Hinata-san."
Sakura smirked lightly as the woman who extended her hand indicating for Sakura to sit with her.
"You know I have to be formal at first Hinata-san," Sakura gently smoothed her formal yukata properly while Hinata began to pour the tea.
"I know," she smiled shyly, "And if I could have it my way I would drop off all honorifics between us."
Sakura hummed in agreement, "As would I but alas…"
Hinata smiled in understanding, "But alas."
Setting the tea pot down Hinata easily refit the sleeve of her kimono into the proper place. Sakura pitied the poor girl for the reason that she was always forced into wearing a kimono whereas Sakura was lucky enough not to wear one when she didn't want to. But she did always look her best when visiting considering the one time Sakura took tea with Hinata after training and the Hyuuga Lord walked by and eyed her clothing with distaste. He then made a very insulting comment to Hinata that she should keep better company. Needless to say Sakura didn't want to lose her one friend over something as petty as appearance.
Lifting her tea cup delicately to her lips Sakura let the warmth waft up into her face before taking a small sip. Jasmine…her favorite…with two small scoops of sugar. Setting the cup back on the small plate Sakura took a deep breath letting the fragrant flowers fill her senses.
"So…" Sakura turned cheekily to Hinata, "What kind of show can we expect today?"
As expected Hinata blushed, "Neji-san and Sasuke-san will be training today."
"What you mean your little Namikaze eye candy won't be here challenge the little Uchiha?"
Hinata covered her mouth to hide her embarrassed gasp, "N-No," she whispered, "Naruto-san won't be here today. At least that's what I heard Neji-san say yesterday evening."
"Pity for you then," Sakura sighed taking another sip, "I guess all the ogling goes to me then."
"You misunderstand me Sakura-san. I never said I would not be taking any pleasure in our…blatant viewing of the opposite sex."
And that was the spunk that Hinata rarely showed but Sakura absolutely adored, "My apologies Hinata-san. Let us enjoy the lovely view together shall we?"
Hinata giggled at Sakura's cheeky smile, "We shall."
They continued their chat while helping themselves to small sandwiches and desserts that Hinata had delivered to their table. Their tea pot was never empty. And as promised Sakura and Hinata were both graced with the opportunity to watch as both males stripped themselves to bare chests and began their training. It really was beautiful Sakura admitted to herself, especially the way the second Uchiha son wielded his katana. He had a flourish and an elegance that only one born to wield that kind of weapon could possess. When she turned her attention to Neji, who flowed easily through his katas while deflecting blows from the Uchiha, it was mesmerizing. Of course watching two of the most powerful bloodlines going head to head was always something interesting to watch. After about a couple hours they called for a short break and made their way up to the veranda. Sakura and Hinata stopped their chatting waiting for the two men to pass.
While the young men made their way towards the women Sakura instantly reminded herself that while those men might look delicious…they were definitely not worth her attention. They were a part of the conceited group who thought all women were brainless trophies. And they always chose to walk pass them and mutter degrading things such as, "why do they watch? Not like they can learn anything," or "weak females," it irritated her to no end.
Then today they did something she did not expect…they stopped at the table.
"Don't you women have something better to do?" Neji asked with a slight frown marring his naturally striking features.
Sakura didn't answer but she returned his mild glare with a darker and more sinister version. Sasuke said nothing and only looked down his nose at the glaring Sakura and meek Hinata. The Hyuuga heiress rarely made eye contact with anyone she felt even remotely intimidated by so Sakura took it upon herself to make sure she was glaring enough for the both of them.
Seeing that he was losing a small battle of wills against the pinkette Neji turned his attention to his cousin and scoffed, "Can't even master the gentle fist when she should be grateful she is allowed to try." He turned on his heel and continued to walk away, Sasuke following a few steps behind him.
When Sakura finished seething at their retreating backs she turned her attention back to Hinata and found tears quietly escaping her eyes, "Hinata don't you take what that arrogant bastard said to heart. He doesn't know what he's talking about."
"B-But it's true," she forced out, "I-I can't even g-get past the basics." Her delicate fingers grabbed her napkin so she could blot her eyes.
"Hinata how many hours a day to you actually get time to practice?"
She sniffed, "About two hours on a good day."
"Exactly! And how many hours do those men get to practice. Almost all damn day. Do not compare yourself to them especially if you are not even given the time to train properly yourself."
"You speak with such confidence Sakura-san more than I feel."
Sakura smirked, "That's because I know that one day women will be equal with men. There will be kunoichi among Konoha's shinobi ranks…and I have a feeling that that time is coming soon."
Hinata finished cleaning her face then looked up at her friend, "And if I know you my friend, you will be the one to lead this new generation of kunoichis."
Sakura's grin turned absolutely victorious making Hinata's smile brighten, "You better believe it."
Her brunch with Hinata ended shortly afterward and Sakura found herself on her way home. While walking she pondered what her friend had said about training. It really wasn't anything too surprising considering it was tradition that the noble clan head's children, be it sons or daughters, learned how to fight. The biggest difference that she noticed was the time spent training for the men and women. Obviously the women were taught more as a courtesy or tradition rather than practical use like the men were. Sakura's family was only of the civilian noble blood. There were hardly any known people in the family tree that had learned of the ways to separate and control their chakra.
Her father was technically an anomaly. He had displayed great taijustu prowess and superior chakra control at an early age causing his parents to enroll him in shinobi training. Few men were at his level. Then he was accepted into ANBU because of his ability to go above and beyond with his taijutsu and use of chakra. A feat that was surprising considering his civilian background.
Typically all shinobi could utilize chakra and mold it. But ANBU was by invitation only and required a variety of ninjutsu, accurate and deadly taijutsu, and quick thinking. It was a great honor to her family when her father received the invitation. And if she were speaking traditionally…she really shouldn't be training at all. Technically as a civilian noble woman her time should only be spent learning how to run a household. But due to her history, her father felt it was clearly beneficial to teach his daughter ninjutsu over housekeeping.
Her father had often told her that she should have been born a boy. If she would have been a boy she would be a Jounin by now. She would have been enrolled at the Academy with the rest of the male population to study the ways of shinobi and other scholarly disciplines. What a pity that Sakura was a girl...
She arrived at the gate to her home and opened it easily. While she was a noble woman Sakura's family wasn't high up on the list, they only had a few servants and they mostly helped clean the house and prepare meals. They couldn't afford to hire guards for their estate like the Hyuuga could. Any animals they had were tended to by herself and her father. But that was definitely a chore that she didn't mind.
"Sakura is that you?" he mother's voice echoed and Sakura removed her shoes at the door.
"Hai Okaa-san, I've just returned from the Hyuuga home."
"It's time to get ready! Hurry up and change your clothing!"
Sakura snapped up from her position, "What? Why?"
Her mother came around the corner and smirked at her, "Don't tell me you've forgotten about your appointment…" Sakura's eyes widened as her mother crossed her arms delicately. "With your matchmaker…"
Oh no... Sakura's face paled, The matchmaker…
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