Reborn

By Makira

Chapter 1:

Cherry Picking

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Weird, eh?

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The sun began to rise.

Sakura put down her brush as she witnessed the daily spectacle of the giant yellow orb slowly floating to its rightful place in the sky. As the faint, warm light began to touch her skin, she continued the task of combing out the rest of the frizz out of her hair. She was glad about her decision to keep her hair short; she liked being low maintenance.

As much as she tried, Sakura couldn't sleep. The usual nightmare that had been plaguing her for almost two weeks had become worse. It consists of her running through Konoha, looking for something. At the end she turns and sees two ethereal visions of Naruto and Sasuke, back from the days of being a gennin. As she runs towards them, someone then grabs her by the hair, and slits her throat with a kunai.

The first time Sakura experienced it, it felt too real. The sharp pain in her neck when she woke up made her run up to the mirror in her room to examine the imaginary wound.

Nothing.

And so began the sleepless nights. The nightmare would usually occur a few hours after she drifted off into sleep, but now is attacking her during the morning hours, which for the rest of the day left her sluggish and moody. She had no idea what the cause was and why she would be dreaming constantly about her own death. She longed for advice.

. . . . .

As she stepped out of her apartment building, she noticed her sunflowers looked surprisingly beautiful in the morning light. It felt like only yesterday when she began planting them, arguing with her crabby neighbor about how they would never grow the way she was handling them. They now stood a bit taller than she was, remaining a constant reminder to her neighbor that she did plant them right.

She caressed one of its large petals for a few moments before moving on.

This was her last day off before her next big mission, and as usual, there was really nothing to do other than stroll around the massive village. Ever since Naruto left to train with Jiraiya more than two years ago and Sasuke's own departure from the group, she really had no one left to talk to. The two closest people in her world had suddenly dissipated from her life and she no longer had anyone to hang out with. It had become a lonely two years.

As her feet creaked along the wooden planks of the bridge, she stopped for a minute in between to admire the large pond she was currently over. Carp and guppies were swimming around doing their usual business, but Sakura always though the elegant moment of fish was somewhat hypnotic. She stared at them for a bit until she heard someone strolling along on the other side of the bridge with a basket of some sort. Upon further examination, she knew exactly who it was.

"Hey, Hinata" Sakura yelled, "over here!"

Hinata face instantly lit up, and returned the greeting with a smile. Sakura waiting as the shy girl jogged up to her place in the bridge. She noticed Hinata had let her hair grow much larger than when she last met her. They would on occasion be paired up in a few C- rank missions about two years back, but now that Sakura had laid off missions for the time being to train with the Godaime, she barely saw her.

"H-hey Saukra-chan…" Hinata said as she readjusted the sandals on her feet. Despite still being warm out, Hinata still dressed quite conservatively, with only her feet and a bit of her ankles showing. Even then, she still managed to look gorgeous. She had a strange type of beauty which Sakura admired. Still, it wouldn't hurt her to show off a little skin.

"It's been a while since we last talked. How are things?"

"Oh, umm… It's been great. Neji's becoming a jounin in a few days, and both house branches seem to be exited over it. A bit to exited, actually. Um… anyways, I'm just out here for some fresh air. I may have wandering a bit too far though…" Hinata said as she giggled a bit to herself.

"Hey, that's great about Neji. Tell him I said hi, that is, if he still remembers me. "

"Don't worry Saukra-chan, I-I will!" She said with a bit of enthusiasm. "I guess I'll leave you here, you just reminded me how far I've really gone. It's been great seeing you again."

"Hey, before you leave Hinata, what's in the basket?"

"Oh, these. I just went cherry picking for a bit. They're nice and ripe this time of the year."

"Cherry picking, eh?" Sakura eyed the basket filled with the tiny, red fruit. She had skipped breakfast earlier, making the cherries look ever so tempting. "May I?"

"Um… Oh, of course! Please, take one!"



Sakura plucked a large one out of the basket. She examined it before pulling the stem off with her teeth. After spitting it out, she slid the cherry in and let it slide around it her mouth before biting into it. A bit tart, but extremely delicious.

"Wow, these are tasty. Mind If I take a few more?"

"N-not at all."

Sakura then grabbed a handful and waved Hinata goodbye.

Hinata Hyuga.

It was amazing how much easier if was to talk to Hinata these days. She was much more confident in what she said and felt. You can really see in her how much she had changed over the years. It must have been that fight with Neji so long ago that gave her the strength to stand up for herself. What a battle.

Sakura sighed after eating her last cherry. She should have really gotten something to eat before she left. She glanced at her watch. Almost noon. The lack of sleep had gotten to her, and for a while considered dozing off on the free bench next to the pond.

After some consideration, she decided against it and headed on home.

. . . . .

As Sakura lay in her bed, blinds down and a barely touched bowl of ramen to her side, she started to think back again to the old days. Back when they defeated Gaara, even thought she 

wasn't conscious for it. Back when they partook in the Chuunin Exams where she developed most of the courage she has today. Back when they defeated Zabuza and Haku in the horrifying mist.

Back when they first met Kakashi.

Kakashi. Whatever happened to him? Sakura remembered after Naruto left with Jiraiya that he offered to train her since he had some free time. Sakura declined the offer though, telling him she already had plans the train with the Fifth, and that he wouldn't be needed. Since then, she hasn't heard a word from him, not even a visit or a hello. Not like she should complain, since she also hasn't made a single effort to contact him either. Soon. After this mission, she promised herself she'd give him a visit.

Naruto.

Sasuke.

Where are you two? She wondered on what new crazy techniques the old Sannin was teaching her blonde haired best friend.

Do you still think about me Naruto? What about you… Sasuke?

Sakura turned over to lie on her back and let out a sigh. She wished she knew the answers to the barrage of questions coursing through her head. Will they ever come back? Her eyes began to swell up. As she readjusted herself on her bed and a tear slowly crept down the soft contours of her right cheek. After a few sobs she wiped away the tears and closed her eyes. It only took a few minutes for Sakura to slip into the alternate realities created by the workings of her unconscious mind.



. . . . .

Tonight she had no nightmare.

Sakura, giving her nightstand clock a glance, realized it was time to go. Today was the day. Her first A – rank mission in such a long time. Tsunade had handpicked her personally to be part of the team, which she considered a great honor, since usually all of the teams are usually arranged by Shizune. Tsunade also told Sakura the title of jounin was not too far from her grasp if she did well.

As Sakura looked in the mirror as she strapped on her forehead protector, a fun thought traveled through her head. She wondered if the boys, if she ever met them again, would notice her more developed figure. She smiled to herself. Wondering also how different they would look and if they thought about the same things. No way she though, Naruto doesn't give a shit about the way he looks. And with that she let the thought disappear from her mind; she had more important matters to deal with.

As she readied her supplies, she noticed her slightly torn, red bandana that she hadn't worn in ages hiding secretly behind some of her other junk. She gave it a sniff, apparently she hadn't washed the thing in ages either, as the stench of her own sweat and blood penetrated her nostrils. The smell reminded her of why she never wore it again. She had been in an escort mission a while back to keep a merchant safe as they reached the Tea Country. On the way, a few mercenaries attacked her squad, and while her team still won, Sakura had been severely wounded near her forehead by a projectile. A shuriken had cut her skin and fractured a piece of her skull. She was lucky she dodged the oncoming weapon the way she did, or the hit would have been fatal. The attackers were later captured by a backup squad.

They were then sent to one of Konoha's various prisons, interrogated, and then executed. Sakura didn't blame her attackers though. She had been told by Tsunade herself that Konoha has had, in the past, planned some hired hits. A lot of the time it is usually need in order to prevent others being killed or worse yet, a full scale war. Though Sakura herself would probably 

never have the heart to take someone's life, she was still a ninja like the rest of them. And for a lot of them, murder is part of the job description.

She set it down again. She realized how naïve it was for a ninja to be wearing something so bright and noticeable. She wondered if Naruto had also realized the same thing, the difference being his whole attire. You're asking to die if you wear his outfit to a fight. Stealth and bright orange definitely do not mix.

Sakura turned the knob on the door twice to make sure it was locked, and with that secure she was on her way. Sakura was about to leave when raspy voiced called to her from behind.

"Ah, Sakura-chan."

"Oh, Miss Harumi. You're up early I see."

"I'm always up this early." The old woman snapped back. Sakura figured she shouldn't stay long and converse with the old hag. They would probably end up arguing about something else that's completely irrelevant and she really didn't have any time to chat. The older woman adjusted her frame and repositioned her cane as she titled her head up and gazed at Sakura's forehead. "I see you're a konoichi. Seeing you wear that headband brings back some distinct memories… You never told me about it."

"Well, you never really asked." Sakura said a bit frustrated.

"Hmph, and here I thought all you did was sleep all day." Harumi cackled as Sakura began to step back to leave.

"I'm sorry I can't stay and chat, but duty calls."



"I never complimented you about your sunflowers." This was the first time Sakura had ever heard a compliment from her crabby neighbor. She was actually held back a bit. It was a strange thing to say considering the animosity that was brewing between since they met. "They came up rather lovely, to be honest."

"Oh. Well, thanks. They did come out great didn't they?" Sakura asked as she reexamined her pride and joy in the form of plants. A pleasing silence then followed.

"I shouldn't keep you waiting. If what I heard was true, our new Hokage can be a real bitch sometimes, and it probably wouldn't do you good showing up late." Sakura gave her a slight smirk, and with that, she was off.

As she jumped gracefully from rooftop to rooftop, she wondered who she would be assigned with. She should have phoned in earlier for the full brief. Whatever, she thought. She was about to meet them soon anyways. After a few more minutes of roof hopping, she finally reached the Hokage's tower.

As she knocked on the front door, she waited patiently until Shizune allowed her to step in. As Sakura walked in, she noticed Shizune's pet pig, Tonton, scampering next to her on the shiny waxed floor. Tonton, or whatever its name was, was giving her the nastiest glare she'd ever seen a pig do. Sakura hated the thing too, but Shizune only chuckled at the small pig's attempt to intimidate Sakura.

"Nice pig."

"Tsunade has been expecting you. The others are already in her office awaiting your arrival." Jeez, I thought I got up early. Sakura then proceeded to walk down the main hall and took a left up the wooden staircase. As she reached the top, she took another right and soon found herself in front of two massive doors adorned with all sorts of intricate design. Here we go.



Sakura then proceeded to turn the knob and opened the door.

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A/N: First story I've ever written. There's gonna be some yuri eventually, just a warning.

Give me some honest critique, Should I quit writing or write some more? The ball's in your court.

oh yeah

oO