(Age 7)
Sakura Haruno sat in the middle of the den in her house. She was hunched over crayons and somewhat wrinkled paper and drawings of flowers, ninja, and her academy friends. Since it was mostly Ino scribbles and plants like cosmos and cheery blossoms she thought of giving them as a present for Ino's upcoming birthday.
Her parents stepped into the room, alerting her of the presence of them. She looked up smiling, but confused. Earlier they had said they had important business to attend. Her mother smiled back.
"Sakura," She began in her gentle voice. "These are your godparents. Uncle Nagato and Aunt Konan."
Sakura adorned a shy smile on her face, a light blush seeping onto her cheeks.
"Nice to meet you," She said politely, bowing her head and standing up.
Aunt Konan smiled back at her, face aglow with pride. She stepped up and shook hands with Sakura.
"Nice to meet you too, Sakura."
Konan turned to look at the man, Uncle Nagato. He didn't even spare a glance in Sakura's direction. Konan elbowed him in the ribs and whispered something with a smile.
"…Hello, Sakura…" Nagato said with a frown, but something in his shown eye change. Sakura now stared at it in awe. It was grey and orange with six rings.
"You have nice eyes, Uncle Nagato," Sakura grinned sheepishly for staring. Her mother smiled and turned to Konan.
"Let's go make tea for lunch."
(Age 12)
Sakura stepped through her front door, bruised and tired. She wanted to sleep and forget all about the invasion. Orochimaru and his Sound troops left Konoha awhile ago, but the village just didn't feel right.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home," She called out into the silence. The pinkette paused for a moment, then shrugged. The civilians where still be lead back to there homes, so perhaps her parents weren't back yet.
Walking up the stairs, she resolved to check all the rooms to clean up and make sure nothing valuable to them was broken. After a few minutes, she stood in front of their door.
Frowning, she killed the suspenseful feeling and flung open the door.
She screamed.
- -
"Konoha was attacked by Orochimaru a few hours ago." A male, stoic voice said. There a a moment of silence, then a younger voice piped up.
"Many died, un."
Pein, the leader of Akatsuki was silent.
"Pein?" The female next to him asked him in a uncompleted question.
"Yes," He nodded," Konan, you are to go to Sakura and take care of her until she matures."
"Sakura?" The first voice asked.
"Sakura Haruno of Konoha, my goddaughter."
(Age 15)
Sakura sat in her kitchen table, frowning like there was no tomorrow. Konan was leaving today.
"Where do you plan on going," Sakura asked quietly. The two women had gotten quite close these past years and Sakura would really miss her.
"Away."
Although that did not answer her question, Sakura took it with a nod. Konan was vague.
"For how long?"
"Awhile," Konan gave a small smile, "I do hope I see you soon enough, though."
- -
"Konan, welcome back," Pein's disembodied voice rang out. Konan smiled slightly, nodding.
"Thank you."
There was a silence, where both occupants of the room stared out the arch to see the rain pouring down. Pein opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Finally, a few minutes later, he turned.
"How is she?" He asked in a quiet voice.
"She grown well, she looks a lot like her mother," Konan looked down, biting her tongue. She continued, "She is the apprentice of the Fifth, quite strong, and great with medical techniques…."
"… I see."
"Pein…" She paused. Pein blinked, urging her to continue. "Sakura has a mission tomorrow."
"About what?"
"Retrieving the First-tailed container."
At those words, Pein's eyes widened, yet he said nothing.
- -
"Sakura killed Sasori," Konan voiced out after a moment of silence in Pein's office. Pein turned his head towards her.
"Alone?" He asked, voice full of surprise.
"No," She shook her head, "With one other. I think her name was Chiyo, from Suna."
"Soon," Pein said with disdain in his voice. He turned to her open mouth, knowing that she was going to ask that question.
- -
Sakura stepped slowly through the village streets, taking in the peaceful scenery. It was twilight and the clouds were losing the pinkish sunset color. Her teammates just parted with her since getting back to the village. Her mind was reeling with thoughts.
'Aunt Konan, where are you? I finally killed an Akatsuki, and I want you to be proud of me,' She looked around, snapping out of her thoughts. Her house was in view and all she knew was that the moment she got in her room, she was going to get a long deserved sleep.