Porcelain

The night was cold, crisp and cruel. Delicate snowflakes spiralled down from the dismal sky, settling on the shivering body of a quivering girl. The small figure was curled up in a tight ball- saving as much heat as possible, yet she knew she would not last the night.

The orange street light illuminated her back and her odd pink hair, still her pale face was shadowed. A small shaking hand pulled her rags a little closer; desperately trying to bring a little warmth to her numb and shuddering body.

Cars silently drove by, as if they were in another world, people walked by gliding noiseless footsteps- all dressed in warm luxurious clothes. All the passers by ignored the trembling form. The Christmas mood was already setting in, merry couples and dancing children laughed and chattered breaking the cold night air with their jokes and joy. All the lone girl could hear were the echoes of a life she had lost, soon their voices faded into nothing and once again she was alone in her harsh world.

The pedestrians kept flowing past her- oblivious to her pain and the cold that slowly claimed her limbs and chilled her heart. Wearily she rolled over, wanting to see the happy scene of families and lovers before she died. Instead of the endearing scene she had hoped for, she was facing a pair of dark boots. Her pale green eyes travelled upwards to meet the cool gaze of a pair of onyx eyes. Behind the dark figure a blonde boy bounced up and down.

"Ne, Ne! Teme, what's she doing?" babbled the blonde, dissipating waves of happiness and energy, never losing his broad smile.

"Quiet dobe" the obsidian eyed stranger muttered. The girl's cheerless eyes locked with the blonde's shocking blue ones.

"Dying" she sadly whispered. Before she fainted she saw expressions of shock shoot onto the men's faces. Her body went limp and her arms fell away from her sides. Unknown to her, strong arms wrapped around her frail form and the two figures retreated down the path, leaving her shattered past behind.

"Sakura" there was a short pause.

"Sakura!" the deep male voice called again; this time a little louder. The pretty girl stood up smoothly and called melodiously,

"Yes father? I'll be down in a second".

Quickly she pulled on a white shirt and slithered into a straight A-line black skirt- which ended an inch or so below her knee- she wanted to look smart for her new step mother. She tugged at a few strands of hair and flashed a grin at her reflection then she bounded out of her room and down the wide stair case.

"Papa! I'm sorry I'm late; I didn't mean to keep you waiting! I wanted to look nice for our 'Guest'" she beamed. Her father smiled proudly at his only daughter and stood back hurriedly to reveal a tall young woman. Splendid black hair cascaded down her back, it was tied low: with a ribbon. She was indeed youthful and beautiful.

"Sakura, this is Kin!" he grinned at his new wife and glanced over to Sakura. Sakura smiled broadly at the woman and politely offered a hand, which Kin declined with a glare. Sakura's father felt awkward but soon his mind wandered.

"Now let's go to dinner" he exclaimed, his thoughts already on food and a full stomach. He walked on into the dinning room leaving the two females behind.

"Ohio! Kin-sama" Sakura chirped. She received a sour look from her step mother. And found herself pinned against the wall.

"You will call me Mrs Haruno, do you understand?" said the woman with malice dripping from her every word.

"But why? I am Haruno too!" Sakura's head snapped back as a sharp blow connected with a pale cheek. Sakura let out a soft gasp and immediately her doll like face began to redden, her features crumpled as she began to cry. Small silent sobs escaped her frightened lips as Kin leaned closer to the scared girl.

"You should be more careful, falling over like that! Tch! I am glad that you didn't hit your face too hard" Kin hissed while looking pointedly towards the dining room. The rose haired girl began to shake.

"Hai! Mrs Haruno-sama" she whispered. Kin dragged her towards the dining room where she hastily took her place and busied herself with her food. She tried to remain silent, fending off her father's questions with the alibi Kin had given her. Soon her father lost interest in her 'accident' and she was left to drown in her own silence. After the main course; Kin lazily got up and draped herself across Mr Haruno's lap. She pulled at his lip with her teeth and the two began to kiss passionately.

Sakura left the room stealthily, disgusted by their actions. She heard faint murmurings from her father had his diabolical lover. She sighed she wanted so badly for Kin to like her, so they could all be a family that she so desired. She crept wearily into bed and nursed her cheek for a while. Before closing her eyes and drifting into a lonely dreamless sleep.

Sakura's opal coloured eyes shot open, blinking in the ruddy light. She sat up and rubbed her aching temples. Sakura wasn't sure where she was, all she could remember was the bitter cold and feelings of lost. She waited for her swirling thoughts to clear and gave a small squeak of surprise as a whiskered face was shoved into hers.

"You're awake! What's your name? I'm Naruto! I like ramen and …. Nani? What's wrong!"

Sakura had burst into tears and backed up until her back was against a cold white wall. She pressed herself against it trying to maximise the gap between her and the blonde. Her small frame was quaking and Naruto looked at her worriedly, he edged away from her, allowing her the space she needed. Her shoulders dropped slightly and she allowed herself to relax moderately.

"Don-Don't, Don't hurt me… please" She whimpered desperately.

"Hush now, I would never hurt you, who would want to hurt you?" he reassured in a soft cooing voice. She allowed him to shuffle slowly forwards. Carefully she raised long, slender fingers to touch the thin whisker marks on his tanned cheeks. He carefully smiled at her.

"Now what's your name?"

"Har-" she stopped, she had no family now. "Sakura" she stated monotonously. He didn't ask her about her clan name instead he repeated her name slowly to himself, and then continuously praised her on the prettiness of her name. A small blush rose on her cheeks, but they remained pale enough for Naruto not to notice.

She rewarded him with a small smile. He beam profusely at her and was about to continue praising her when a large, brown door creaked open.

"Sasuke-teme!" Naruto shouted gleefully. "I found out her name! It's Sakura, pretty ne?"

The man called Sasuke peered at her, he had a suspicion that she would be afraid of their house mates, the last thing he wanted was a screaming or sobbing girl in his house.

"Up" he ordered. Both Naruto and Sakura shot up.

"Hn, take some clothes from the bag… not you dobe!" he said with a little amusement, pulling Naruto away from a bag filled with skirts. Naruto looked disappointed and surprised but trotted to Sasuke's side.

"Change" Sasuke muttered as he left the room, dragging a reluctant Naruto with him. Sakura waited till the door was shut and pulled the dress she was wearing off of her shoulders. It's ragged fabric snagged on some scabbed scratches on her shoulder, she winced and jumped back; as Naruto opened the door.

"Sakura-chan! Oh…. Sorry I forgot you were changing…." He stopped as he saw Sakura's bare shoulders and the scratches that broke her skin like cracked mud. He stepped forward, ignoring her protests and grabbed her arm firmly. He didn't hurt her but she could tell by the scowl on his face that he was angry.

"SASUKE-TEME" he shouted. Sasuke stuck his head around the door and scowled. He too strode up to her and began to inspect the cuts. His eyes darkened and his eyebrows nearly met with the frown that scrunched up his handsome face.

"She's been abused" he stated. "Call Hinata-chan, she can help her tend her wounds. Sakura, who did this?" he directed the order to Naruto in a stern voice, and lowered his tone when speaking to Sakura. She looked down and watched Naruto leave out of the corner of her eye.

"I fell" she whispered. He looked angry and his eyes seemed to flash red.

"Don't lie to me Sakura" he stormed she started to shake and tears flowed into her eyes. Seeing this his eyes softened the grip on her arm loosened.

"I only want to help. Who did this?" he asked calmly.

She looked up at him, light turquoise eyes stared at him. Her pink hair fell in limp locks around her face, making her look like an innocent child. Sasuke felt his hard exterior melting but he had to stay firm to find out who did this to her.

"I-I don't know, I'm not sure, they were, are, my stepmother's friends. I'm sure they didn't meant to hurt me… I'm sure, I-I-I…" she couldn't stop stuttering. He put a hand on her mouth and looked at her cuts closer. Behind them dark bruises spread. He scowled again.

"Sakura where did they hurt you?" he asked, she was about to stutter again and he glared at her. Sakura decided she should tell him the truth, for fear of enraging the man; she didn't want another angry man near her.

"I have bruises on my arms, legs, abdomen and back. There are cuts on my shoulders and back also on my inner thighs. I think I have jarred ribs and my ankle may be twisted but I can't be sure." She told him truthfully.

He didn't ask her any more questions but left the room silently as a nervous dark haired girl walked in. The girl twiddled her thumbs and then started.

"Ano….."