All of Konoha gathered in the streets for the huge announcement Tsunade was making.
She stood on top of the Hokage Tower, looking grim. "I have some terrible news. Due to the war, our trades have been cut off with everyone but Suna."
Everyone gasped in horror.
"The only ones who still have connections, is Oto."
People began to whisper.
"It won't be long until we run out of food and luxuries."
Some women wept.
"However, Oto has made an announcement," Tsunade continued. "They are willing to give us back all our trades, if we compete in what they are calling, the Hunger Games."
"What's that?" Some people whispered and chatted.
"Two ninja, from the age of twelve to eighteen, will be put into an arena and fight to the death against the other village tributes."
Gasps.
"Only two people can be named a winner. Those two will bring their village/s back their trades and they'll be saved from the hunger games until next year when the trades are cut again."
"This won't be easy. The conditions are you have to be either a Genin or Chunin with no bloodline limit or from a clan. If you volunteer, you can take their place."
"Good god."
"Unfortunately, the names have to be picked tomorrow. Apparently, you don't have a choice in the matter, according to Orochimaru. I'm sorry," Tsunade murmured.
"There will be a representative from Oto who will come here to take the two back to their village. All names who qualify will be put into the draw and the names will be chosen tomorrow morning," Anko ended.
Sakura sat with the girls.
"Well, my name won't be in it," Ino sighed in relief.
"Same," Tenten sighed. "Thank god I made Jounin last week."
"Girls," Hinata said.
Tenten and Ino looked at Hinata and then to Sakura who had her head down.
"Oh my god, Sakura, you're going to be in it!" Ino gasped in horror.
Sakura nodded. "I hope I don't get called out."
"Why? You have a good chance at winning it," Tenten stated.
"You forget most of those tributes will be kids. I'm a medic-nin. I fight to protect, not kill."
"Do we know anyone in our group that could be in it?" Naruto asked.
"Well, you could be," Kiba stated. "This is, if the Kyubi is allowed in."
"Lee should be in it too," Shikamaru said, looking at Lee.
"Does Sai count?" Naruto asked.
"No. He's practically an Anbu."
The next day…
Everyone gathered again. There was camera set up. This was going to be broadcasted.
"Okay, we'll start with the men," Keiko, the Oto representative stated.
She put her hand in and dug around before she pulled out a name. Opening it, she read it out.
"Kiryu Kairu."
"Not my baby," a woman cried out, hugging a twelve year old boy to her.
The boy was tense but didn't say a thing. He had blue black hair and onyx coloured eyes. He reminded her a little of Sasuke. He acted like him too. His mother sobbed as she held onto him while Oto ninja walked to the boy and took him up to Keiko. He may be hiding it, but he was terrified. Sakura's heart went out to him and his mother.
"Now for the ladies," Keiko said cheerfully.
She dug around before she pulled out one.
"Usagi Moegi."
Sakura's eyes shot to Moegi who gasped and started shaking in fear. The Oto ninja went to her.
"Moegi!" Konohamaru yelled.
"No!" Udon cried out.
Moegi was openly shedding tears as she was forced towards the stage.
"Naruto, do something!" Konohamaru pleaded but they both knew there was nothing Naruto could do.
Sakura's eyes connected with Moegi's and she was hit with memories.
"You're my idol, Sakura-sama!"
"I want to be a kunoichi just like you, Sakura-sama."
"How can I be strong when I have no special abilities?"
"You fight to be strong. Being strong means to be able to protect, not to be able to kill."
"Do you think I can be strong?"
"I know you can."
"Nee-chan, look!"
"You did it, Moegi-chan!"
"Are you proud of me, nee-chan?"
"I always am, Moegi."
Sakura pushed her way to them till she stood before the Oto-nin and Moegi. More Oto-nin grabbed Sakura and tried to move her away.
"I volunteer!" Sakura yelled.
Everything froze and she repeated herself.
"I volunteer as Tribute. I have no bloodline, I'm from no clan. I volunteer."
Everyone looked to Keiko who smiled brightly.
"Alright then."
The Oto-nin moved to Sakura.
"No, nee-chan!" Moegi cried as she launched herself at Sakura and hugged her.
"Shhh," Sakura soothed. "It's okay. Everything is going to be okay."
Moegi was pulled from her and Sakura stood tall as she walked to the stage. Kairu looked up at Sakura.
"I'll protect you with my life," Sakura mouthed.
He relaxed slightly and nodded.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Sakura nodded and took his hand.
"So, what is your name, sweetheart?" Keiko asked.
"Haruno Sakura."
"Why did you volunteer for Moegi?"
"She's like a sister to me. She's never taken a life before and I don't want her to be in something so…" Sakura looked at the cameras. "Disgusting. You bastard, Orochimaru. Forcing mere children into this."
"But you are a child yourself, Haruno-san," Keiko shot.
Sakura grunted. "Yeah, I guess I am still just a kid. Sasuke, if you're watching this, you're just as sick. You're worse than your brother and I can no longer wait for you. This ends it all. The next time I see you, I will not hesitate to kill you."
She pulled out a kunai and slashed her hand before flicking blood at the camera.
"That's a blood promise."
Sorry. I couldn't come up with a good enough reason for the games to take place.
Oh well, ignore that and just follow the plot, not he minor details :P
What did you think? RxR