(1)
She closed her eyes waiting for sleep to reel her in. Her daughter cuddled next to her digging her face closer to her chest, murmuring in her sleep as a thin trail of saliva dripped from the corner of the child's mouth. It was a peaceful night.
(2)
The wind whistled, then intensified, and it poured.
A sudden rain of kunai and shuriken crashed onto her home before the ceiling dropped on them.
Sakura cradled her child in her arms as she raced out the compound, dodging unexpected attacks, and took those that were aimed at her daughter. One of her shoulders had been impaled with dozens of senbon and she could feel her arm going numb.
(3)
When she got to the city, chaos welcomed her.
Glass was scattered everywhere. Kunai and shuriken wedged into civilian and shinobi homes. People who had tried to search for safety laid on the floor bathe in senbon. Blood was everywhere.
Her knees gave out. The breath leaving her body.
Konoha was dying.
(4)
They had been fighting for too long.
This was supposed to be the era of peace.
No more fighting.
No more war.
No more deaths.
Yet, she found herself healing the left over soldiers they had left.
Her hands were covered in blood. No time to clean them.
Konoha shinobi were being killed left and right.
They were all going to die.
Her family was dying.
(5)
When Konoha's last shinobi force went down she went out and fought, leaving her daughter in the care of the future Hokage's wife.
In front of her stood the love of her life just miles away. He had never been so close to her, not like this.
And she found herself blocking the voices screaming her name as she walked toward the enemy, exhausted after fighting too many battles in one night. Instead she concentrated on the sound of gravel crunching under her sandals. Her cheeks felt hot under all the dirt and grime. Her heart raced and sweat dripped down her face.
She could feel Sasuke send an attack at the enemy, but his blast was pushed aside and send crashing into the far left. The failed attack send shockwaves of air and chakra toward her.
He appeared in front of her protecting her from the rest of the shockwave. His hand reached out and pushed her hair away from her face while he offered her his other hand. She took it. Gently placing hers on his. She was leaving behind the life she had in Konoha.
And she thought with despair and a bitter smile, both vanishing in thin air as a lone tear slowly fell and evaporated before it hit the ground….
"It will be all over soon."
(6)
Konoha had been destroyed.
Civilians had been killed.
Children had been left orphaned, crying in the middle of bloodied streets over the loss of their parents.
Afraid.
Confused.
Horrified.
His grip on his sword tightened.
His brother's sacrifice had been brought to the ground in less than a night.
Itachi had gone through great lengths to protect this village and so would he.
Konohas death would not be in vain. He would make sure of it.
(7)
"Brother! Hey look, brother! Isn't this cute."
"It is," he patted her head with a small smile on his face. "Now go look for more, "he said shooing her off. "Brother needs more of this suckers in his room."
She looked at him in admiration, stars in her eyes, she nodded, "Mhmm. I won't let you down!"
"Sakura."
She opened her eyes and looked up at him, hidden disappointment in her eyes. "Yes brother?"
Her brother stared at her, extended his hand and with his pointer finger telling her to come to him. She obeyed taking two steps before stopping, hesitating.
He noticed, closed his eyes, and waited patiently for her to build up trust in him.
"Do you remember," he suddenly spoke startling Sakura. Her green eyes shifted downwards, a hand on her chin. "I. I think I do." She locked eyes with him frustrated, "but it's uncomfortable. I mean, she, me—uh…"
"Your sister. She's fighting," She lied. "You said you have been looking for her since you came here. And ever since the sealing of Kaguya I have been feeling rather 'sick'."
He narrowed his eyes, "I see. Than come. We have a lot to prepare for. If my sister is starting to resurface than we must hurry."
(8)
Naruto looked down at the village anger painted on his face.
Sasuke stood beside him silent, but Naruto knew that inside, Sasuke was filled with rage.
(9)
Listen. Can you hear them?
A smile.
Everyone you love is in here.
A hand pulled at her own pressing it on the stranger's chest.
Right here.
A giggle.
.
.
.
"Is she ready?"
"Yes, sir. She has been prepared for battle."
He nodded, an unnamable aura around him.
"Bring her."
(10)
Sakura walked in, her back straight, and covered in light flexible clothes. Her head was decorated in simple head jewelry dangling majestically. Her arm was covered in bandages. A long, thick piece of fabric hanged from the same arm linked to a small gold chain on her shoulder. On her waist, below her breast, a thick red and black belt – a wave like pattern transition—was wrapped. Her pale hair was slowly covered by a servant with thin transparent veils that seemed to move as though it were alive, caressing her face with gentleness and let out a sigh.
"Has she given out?"
His servant nodded.
Her eyes were dim, a sign of being controlled by the veils.
.
.
.
.
We came from far away, remember?
We were from a village hidden in the caves. Far deep in the earth, close to the earth's crust. Our body is meant to handle extreme heat.
(11)
Men and women were gathered, clutching onto weapons, ready for battle.
On the far side of the field, unbarred land waited to be stepped on. A cool breeze swept in and million war ready soldiers appeared.
A re-made Konoha stared stunned.
Shinobi took steps back—their courage disintegrating at the sight of passive bloodthirsty beast.
Konoha would cry once more.
(12)
There she stood.
Unmoving as the chaos clashed against the peace the shinobi lands had achieved, winning.
Her body was covered in thin war armor. Bulky warriors surrounded her, creating a giant circle, giving her a considered amount of space. In her hand she only held a gold and silver decorated spear—its razor sharp head filled with holes in form of shapes. On it, was the Hidden Leaf Symbol.
Glowing red eyes narrowed.
"Get ready."
Blue eyes closed and open, Naruto exhaled and punched his palm.
"Alright! Let's show them what we got!"
Green clashed against Silver and Gold.