A/N: AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH. I really have to stop coming up with all of these ideas. ;w; But, this one just.. Hit me. Like a big, giant glob of inspiration. I had to write it down and create another story. :D Though, just a warning: The story will start like most do. Sakura feeling weak, and taking it upon herself to go and make herself stronger. Yada Yada. But, it will change in about chapter 1, after the prologue here. :D With some AkaSaku looove. If ya get my drift.
Enjoy. Side Note: Happy Halloween, everyone!
Disclaimer: Haunted-Echoes does not claim ownership of character names used, brands, products, bands, or anything with any original thought except for plot lines, and many, many more ideas within that twisted little head of hers.
Key:
'Thoughts'
"Speaking"
Inner Sakura
3rd Person POV
"Aww. Is the little girl crying?" Mocked one of the masked shinobi, making Sakura hiccup and turn to shoot a venom-dripping glare. If looks could kill, this particular shinobi would be but a puddle of mush. Though, the stare did nothing but make them laugh, as Sakura bit her inner cheek.
It was one of those days. Where she stood by in the sidelines, not able to do much while the rest of Team Seven fought. She just stood there, like an ornament. Unable to do much but protect the customer, armed with a kunai and nothing more. She watched Team Seven get defeated. She questioned why they were sent on such a dangerous mission. And soon, she was questioning herself.
"Sakura-chan! Behind you!" Naruto shouted desperately, watching as her eyes widened, before she too was captured with little effort. Sasuke had to narrow his eyes at the sight. Weak. She was weak, and everybody knew it. Even Sakura.
'Sakura! Beat them up! What are you waiting for?' What was she waiting for? Oh, right. She was tied up. Begrudgingly, she gritted her teeth and allowed her intelligent mind to work.
Three guys were fighting Kakashi, along with four fighting Naruto and Sasuke. One stood guard over her and the customer she was supposed to watch over. One thing she learned over the time of her being a kunoichi - always come prepared. And prepared she was. Having a razor hidden within her shinobi sandals, all she needed was a distraction and she could retrieve it, untie herself and the customer, before attacking the unsuspecting shino-
She didn't get a chance to finish her thought. There was her savior, in the form of Uchiha Sasuke. In one swift, fluid motion he knocked the shinobi out with a blow to the back of his neck. Her heart was pounding, though not only with adrenaline. It was Uchiha Sasuke - her crush! Her knight in shining armor! Her-
"You're weak. You can't even be trusted with the simple task of defending the customer." Spat the so-called knight in shining armor. Her heart dropped to her stomach as her previous excitement dulled with every venom-dripping word that came out of his tempting lips. She dropped her gaze, before standing. Hot liquid burned the back of her eyes, feeling completely helpless.. He was right. She was weak. Why was she a kunoichi again?
Oh, right. To gain his affection.
She closed her eyes tightly, before clenching her fists at her sides. She can't cry. Not in front of them. Urging the tears away with pure will, she blinked her eyes open before glancing up at the rest of her team. They looked beat, but at least none of their eyes were on her.. Criticizing her with their disapproving gazes..
"Hey, Sakura-chan! That was quite the fight, right? Aha! I sure beat teme, right, Sakura-chan?" Asked the ever energetic member of their squad, making her momentarily forget her depressing thoughts. Her temper flared to life as Inner Sakura cheered her on with renewed vigor, and soon, a pale fist was thrust at the unsuspecting head of the boy in an impressive blow.
"Don't call him that, idiot!" And this was where Kakashi's eyes creased up in a smile, watching the two. Where Naruto pouted and wined to Sakura, as she seethed and continued to pound on Naruto.
But, somewhere in the back of that intelligent mind of hers..
.. She knew Naruto only said it to get her thoughts away from Sasuke's hurtful words..
.. She knew that they all knew that she was only a burden placed upon the team..
.. She knew she was weak.
She knew.
"Wow! That was a long mission, dattebayo! Hey, Sakura-chan.. What do you say about going out to ramen?"
They had just returned from the long and stressful mission, and each one of them felt exhausted. Where Naruto got this energy, she didn't know. But she needed a break. Time to think. Time to wonder about 'what ifs'.
"Sorry, Naruto. But I think I'm just going to go home." Now that was a surprise. Normally, she would blow Naruto off and ask Sasuke instead. And each member expressed some kind of look or expression that screamed 'What just happened?'
Offering them a fake smile, she turned in the direction of her house before beginning to walk with forced steps. She wanted to be with Sasuke. But.. She wanted to be alone more. This was a rare moment, considering Sasuke was the one that was on her mind 24/7. But today.. Today he opened her eyes to a new world. One where she focused more on her strength. So that she could impress Sasuke, of course!
She sighed at the thought. It didn't feel right. Shaking her head, she turned her gaze towards the dark, star-filled sky. Sometimes, she wished she could fly. Fly away from all of her problems, and start a new life elsewhere.. Free. Like a bird.
Seizing her wishful thinking once she reached the doorstep of her house in the civilian side of town, she plastered on yet another fake smile before fishing out her key and walking inside. Her parents were probably sleeping, so she relied on her stealth training to allow her to stalk to her room after closing and locking the door behind her, silent as the night itself. Once she reached her room, she opened the door, closed it behind her, before walking over and falling upon the lush covers of her bed. A satisfied sigh escaped her lips as she slipped off her ninja sandals, before maneuvering herself under the covers and closing her eyes.
Her eyes soon opened moments later as she stared blankly at her ceiling, before her gaze drifted over to her window. There was the sky again.. Along with the moon in the shape of a crescent. It was a rather beautiful sight, she would say. With the silver light coating the world with it's comforting glow. It was a peaceful moment, but that moment soon ended as Inner Sakura made an appearance at that moment.
'Well, today was quite a day...'
'Tell me about it..'
'What are you going to do now?'
'I don't know.. Maybe focus more on my strength to focus on impressing Sasuke-kun?'
'As much as I love that hunk, screw that! We need to kick some ass and take names!'
Blinking, surprised, it took her a few moments to respond. 'What? How do you think we can do that?'
'I have a few ideas.. But only one that we can pull off tonight.'
'Tonight? So soon-!'
'I know, I know. But.. I know you're as sick and tired of being called weak as I am. We might as well start now while we have the opportunity!'
'W-Well.. Tell me about the idea first, then I'll think about it.'
'Simple. We leave the village to hone in our skills, then return once we're a legend!'
'WHAT? Are you crazy? We'll become a missing-nin!'
'... Riiiiight. I forgot about tha-'
'You're an idiot.'
'Hey! I said I had other ideas, didn't I? We could leave after discussing the whole situation with the Hokage. He'll understand and set it in the records that we're off training or something like that.'
Sakura thought about it for a moment, feeling nervous and uneasy. 'Do you think that will actually work..?'
'Of course it will! Have I ever been wrong?'
She was slowly beginning to bend to Inner Sakura's will. All she needed was a little push, and her Inner knew it.
'Come on, Outer. Don't you want to impress Sasuke?'
'Y-Yes.'
'Then listen to me. Go to bed, and in the morning we'll go to the Hokage.'
'.. Fine.'
Closing her eyes and grumbling to herself, she turned on her side before closing her eyes. Sometimes all she wanted to do was cast Inner away.. But she knew she would regret so afterwards.
As her ire slowly ebbed away, she found it easier to sleep. Her heart was lighter, and she knew, at that moment. That maybe Inner was right.
"What? You mean I really can go?" She sounded hopeful as she jumped to a stand, eyes wide as they stared at the male on the other side of the desk. His eyes were glazed over with mirth at her reaction, before he nodded his head with a chuckle.
"Yes, you can go. I've been watching you and the other rookies. I think this will be a good opportunity for you. I'll easily find a replacement for you on your team, even though I'm sure they won't accept anybody but you." Stated the elder male, his eyes creasing into a smile. He watched as liquid lined her eyelids, before the tears spilled over on her porcelain cheeks. She had never been so thrilled.
"Thank you! So much!" She allowed the hot tears roll down her cheeks as she grinned, Inner Sakura cheering within the confines of her head.
"But, I'm going to make a suggestion. There's a woman that goes by the name of Tsunade. She is a large gambler, and it might be difficult for you to find her. But once you do, it will be worth it. You'll see- Now out of my office! Go get your supplies and be out of the village by noon, or else I might change my mind!"
She knew he was kidding, but she didn't want to take any risks. Running out of his office with a large grin, she raised her hand and wiped away any evidence of her weakened moment before leaving the tower. She rushed over to her house and complied with his orders, stocking up with everything she would need for the trip ahead. Many of hidden weapons, along with plenty of them within her pouch. Smoke-bombs, energy bars, ointment, etc. Once she was sure she had everything, she glanced at herself in the mirror.
Oh, right. Her clothes. Glancing at a storing scroll she had laying about her room, she pursed her lips. She had no idea how to store it with anything, but she supposed she could figure it out. Grasping the scroll, she set to work.
About an hour later, she was standing at the large gates. She had packed light.. Well, actually, it was the scroll tied to her hip that held everything. Clothes, sleeping bags, food, and anything else she might need on her journey to find this so-called Tsunade.
She glanced back at the village she was going to leave behind, and her heart sunk at the thought of leaving behind her friends. But, she knew it was the best. Hopefully Team 7 will understand...
Then, she remembered. Sasuke himself called her weak.. Insulted her abilities as a ninja. They would understand. She knew it.
Waving the gate keepers farewell, she began to walk ahead.
.. And this, was the last time that anybody had seen the weak kunoichi.. The next time they would see her, would be quite a ways into the future, and they would find that she wasn't just the same Sakura anymore. But a stronger, more altered version.
Authors Note: Wow, that took a long time. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the Prologue!
And don't forget to...
R E V I E W!