'You know, if you join the academy and become a ninja they'll stop bullying you.'

A four year old Sakura whimpered covering her ears, "I don't wanna..." she mumbled.

'Why not?'

"Mommy says-"

'Who cares what mom says anyways? It's your life idiot, no one can tell you what to do or not.'

Sakura sniffed. "But I'm scared of ninjas.."

'Dumbass, we're in Konohagakure, no leaf ninjas will hurt you or anything. And even the exceptions are missing-nin. We're not even in war right now, so qualifying as a ninja is simple as fuck. You just have to have passable Taijutsu, know how to break out of an easy Genjutsu and three basic Ninjutsu. The clone, transformation and substitution. With your chakra control it'll be easy as pie. I bet you can even graduate in one year tops.'

Sakura's face turned hesitant, never noticing Inner smirking victoriously.

'And imagine how many things you can do with your chakra control. You can surpass the strongest kunoichi Tsunade or even become a Genjutsu specialist. No one will ever say anything about your forehead. Everyone will love you.'

"I..." Sakura started, the four year old felt very tempted to accept the offer, she just needed one more push. A push that Inner was willing to provide.

'It'll be like a whole new world. A fantastic point of view. No one will be able to tell you where to go or who to be.'

Sakura could imagine it already, her saving the world and everyone cheering her on. No one critisizing her appearances. But then the image of her mom telling her that a life of a ninja only leads to death flashed in her head.

Sakura bit her lips and shook her hair, "I can't, mommy said ninjas die.."

'No, no, no. Mom is just a civilian, listen to me, I know best. Sooner or later you'll become a ninja, I swear, why not be more prepared?'

"But..."

'Shh, trust me, there's a beautiful world waiting outside these suffocating gates. Waiting just for us.'

"Really?"

'Yes, so take my advice. Become the strongest kunoichi alive.'

"But I'm weak."

'Silly, take my advice. Practice makes perfect. Skip the boring civilian life, stick with the romantic life of a ninja.'

Sakura was almost tempted, but then she realized something. "How do you know all this?"

'Does that really matter? You're not ready to know.'

"I...don't want to become a ninja! It's you who wants me to!" Sakura suddenly said feeling hurt that her life-time companion is keeping a secret from her.

'Oh? Go ahead, get your heart trampled by a boy clouded too much in his hatred that he doesn't see the truth.'

"Eh?" Sakura blinked in confusion.

'Go ahead, get stabbed in the stomach and left for dead. Me, I'm just a voice in your head, what do I know? I only talked to you and made sure you weren't lonely.'

"W-wait..."

'Go ahead and ignore my advice, I deserve it. Let me be, I've only ever lied to you...oh, that's right, never. But Sakura knows best doesn't she?'

"No.."

'Guilible, naive, easily influenced, an imitation of the real deal, immature, a lack of fashion sense, clumsy, and yet she still knows best.'

"I never said that.."

'Me? Well, I only know so much. Because little tiny bitty Sakura knows best. Hit me up when you wake up to reality dear, until then don't even talk to me.'

"Wait!"

Five seconds.

Thirty seconds.

One minute.

Sakura's eyes teared up, now she was really alone. Maybe she should have agreed and made Inner happy, Inner was always there for her after all. And now Inner's gone...

"I'm sorry..." Sakura mumbled as she covered her face with her hands, a new wave of tears escaping her.

Inner's World

A young woman with shoulder length black hair and brown eyes lay on a grass field, lazily eyeing the fake clouds above her.

She then snorted to herself.

"I can't believe I just ripped off some disney songs..."

It was ridiculous of her to just steal some lyrics and alter them. Stealing another's words. But then again, she didn't know what to say to Sakura. She didn't want any fault in changing things for the worse, so she can ignore the worry by using words that aren't her own.

"The ball's in your corner Sakura, now or never. Maybe this time you can be in the lead."

She rubbed her eyes, "That's the only thing I can give you."