Dark Shadows Of The Past.
Prologue: The Night That Everything Changed.
Oh, Oh, Ohh, Ohh..
Oh, Oh, Ohh, Ohh..
Yours was the perfect love,
I swear it was;
Until i had your love,
My world was cold.
I did what most men do,
And i messed it up;
But when i got you back,
My world was whole.
When we had Mikoto,
Thought our life was set and stone;
But it wasnt,
And i'm here alone.
Nothing is in front of me,
I feel i cant even breathe.
Dont think that i can handle this,
Baby am soo..
I'm so in agony,
Look at the state of me,
Left me, broken..
You said you'd never leave,
Look what you've done to me..
Left me, broken.
Where do i go from here?
Am so lost.
You know how hard it is,
Fighting my way through this;
Shouldn't even be like this,
Shouldn't have to feel like this..
Nooo, Noo, No, No.
Can't even have company,
Nobody can talk to me.
I messed up;
Bound it out,
Fought myself through.
All that I found myself do;
Looking through my gallery,
Drinking and smoking weed.
I hate you for doing this to me,
Boy i'm soo.. Alone.
I'm so in agony,
(Ive never felt like this before, in my life.)
Look at the state of me.. Babe.
Left me, broken.. Ohh, yeaah.
You said you'd never leave,
Look what you've done to me,
Left me, broken..
I'm..
Broken. Broken. Broken.
Never thought id feel this low down in my life.
I swear am..
Broken. Broken. Broken.
Everyday, i wish that it was me that had died.
I love you..
Baby i need you..
I miss you..
Digga, Broken.
(A/N: This song just fits perfectly with Sasuke and Sakura's characters/relationship, in this story. It may seem confusing now, but as the story progresses, i think you'll get where i'm going with this. The bold is Sasuke, the italics Sakura.)
It was a quite late at night. A thirteen year old girl stood alone, on a path that lead out of the village; she was hiding in the shadows, among the trees; after a 'date' with her blonde comrade, Naruto.
She wore dark green, almost black, skin-tight shorts, under a long red dress with large slits down each side. Completing the outfit, she had a kunai holster strapped to her right thigh by white bandages, and her red forehead protector in her hair, worn like a headband, showing her ties and loyalty to her village.
The stars were twinkling across the dark sky that loomed over the Hidden Leaf Village. The air was warm, and the light breeze crawled up her skin every-so-often. Crickets were playing their song, oblivious to what was about to happen, that would change three team-mates lives forever.
As the kunoichi waited, rooted to her spot, lost in thought; she almost missed the soft sound of foot steps, gradually getting louder, as the person she was waiting for approached. He, however, did not plan on meeting her. His eyes were closed, as he strolled up the path; like he knew it off by heart, which he probably did.
Nervously, she walked out onto the cobbled path, and into view; her hands placed behind her back, twiddling her fingers, as she came to a stop. Obvious worry was etched across her delicate features. Despite this, she watched him, eyes unwavering.
As the young boy approached, her mouth fell agape, her whole demeanour completely falling apart. Now that he was in clear view under the light of the street lamp, she saw his travelling pack strapped firmly to his back. From that moment her worst fears were confirmed, she knew he was planning to leave-- call it woman's intuition, if you will.
Before she knew it, Uchiha Sasuke was stood roughly a meter away from her. Realizing that her mouth was still open, the pink-haired teen quickly closed it. She kept her gaze on him, as he opened his eyes to acknowledge her presence.
For possibly the last time, emerald met onyx. Her emerald held such sweet, innocent love. Where-as his onyx held pained, sadness and hatred; though not directed at her.
For the first time in her life, she held onto his gaze, steadily. Although she didn't know exactly what to say. Luckily, but at the same time, uncharacteristically, the Uchiha heir did.
"Its the middle of the night, what are you hanging around here for?" he questioned, not really sounding interested.
"This is the only road out of the village." she replied, only just above a whisper, trying to convey in that one small line, just what she felt of what he was about to do.
Walking around and past her, he stated, "You should go to bed."
Sakura just stood there, listening to her crushes quiet footsteps, as he slowly progressed out of the village, he grew up in. Was he really just going to leave, without talking about it first, or saying goodbye? A lone tear made its way from her once vibrant but now fading green eyes, her hope slowly beginning to disappear, with every step he took, the distance between them growing.
"Why Sasuke?" she asked, keeping her tone even, as she turned around to face his retreating back.
The raven-haired male continued on his way, seemingly, unfazed.
"Why wont you ever tell me anything? Why is it always silence with you?" Raising her voice just a little -when he wouldn't answer- she prodded, "You've never shared a single thing.."
The Uchiha came to an abrupt halt. "Why should i have to tell you anything?" he replied with his own question, his tone even, and cold.
A tear streamed from her other eye and down her face, which met up with the previous one at the tip of her chin. She was slightly taken aback by his coldness; yes, Sasuke was usually snappy with her, but never this much so.
"Just keep your nose out of my business, its none of your concern."
Sakura put her head down at this point, that hurt. With tears streaming down her face, she said just above a whisper, "I know you hate me, even in the beginning you could never stand me." She turned around a little more to face him, head lifted; with the moon beams brightening up her hair colour, giving a silvery glow to her pink strands. "Remember.. back when we made Genin, and we were assigned to our three man squads.
Now turning her body fully around to face him she went on. "We were alone together for the first time, right here on this very spot. You got so mad at me that day."
- - -
"Think about it. He just does whatever comes into his head, but if you don't have parents to tell you about it, how would you know. He's selfish and bratty, he's all alone.
"Alone. Isolated."
"Huh?"
"Its not about your parents scolding you. You have no idea what it means to be alone."
"Wh-Why are you s-saying that?"
"Because.. Your annoying."
Sakura loudly gasped. Sasuke just walked away.
- - -
The two young comrades stood in silence for a few seconds. Sakura looked at him with a cute little smile, until Sasuke said, "I don't remember that…"
Sakura gasped, more tears leaking out her eyes, staining the cobbled-ground. Her posture changed to a more unsure one, from the determined way she held her self previously.
"Oh.. Yeah sure. I mean, it was so long ago right.. But still, that's the day when it all began, it was the start of you and me.. And Naruto.. And Kakashi-Sensei."
The both got flash backs of the days they all spent together as team seven.
The bell test..
Sitting by a tree meditating, whilst Kakashi read his Icha Icha book..
Leaving on there first big mission with the bridge builder..
The whole team happily running through a field together, laughing and smiling..
Naruto trying to take a peek at Kakashi's book, from over his shoulder, but to no avail.
"The four of us started going on missions. It was rough back then, everyday was such a challenge. But more than anything, it was so much fun." she started again softly, trying to get through to him.
She closed the eyes and looked down, sighing in defeat. There was a tense moment of silence that followed. Then she lifted it right back up, and tried again; talking to him must be working in some way, because he was still stood there, listening; his brows darkened, just like they did when he was brooding.. Or deep in thought. "I Know about your clan Sasuke, I do. But seeking revenge.. that wont bring anyone happiness. Nobody at all. Not you.. And not me."
Sasuke kept his composure and emotionless face as usual, whilst he thought he'd interject. "I thought so." He drawled out.
"Huh?" the pink-haired youth looked confused, she had no clue as to what he was talking about, but judging from the way in which he spoke, it didn't sound good.
"I am not the same as you. Am travelling a path the rest of you cannot follow. I Know that the four of us have worked together, and for a while i thought i could take that road instead, but in the end.. my heart decided on revenge. That's always been my reason for living." After a brief pause, he finished, "I'll never be like you and Naruto."
A few more tears poured down Sakura's face as she pleaded, "Don't do this Sasuke, you don't have to be alone. You taught me that day, how painful a thing solitude can be, i understand that pain now. I have a mother.. and friends.."
She took a step forward, spilling out all the emotions she had kept bottled up -because Sasuke didn't like fan-girls, and she didn't want to loose him- She spoke, as she slowly broke inside, crying. "But if you were gone Sasuke.. It would be the same thing for me.. as being all alone."
Sasuke looked down as he visualized the team photo, of team seven. "This is a new beginning, each of us has a new path lying before us."
Taking another quick step forward, Sakura shouted, "Sasuke.. Am so in love with you i cant even stand it. If you would only be with me.. I promise i'll never let you regret it. Everyday will be a joy.. I can give you happiness. Ill do anything for you Sasuke. So Please.. Am begging you, don't walk away. I'll even help get your revenge. I'll do whatever it takes to make it happen. I swear."
She sniffled, hands balled into fists over her heart, as she tried to rein in her tears. "So Stay here with me. And if you cant.. Take me with you Sasuke." she started to sob.
The heartless Uchiha responded, "You haven't changed, your still annoying."
Gasping the pink-haired genin screams, whilst running down the cobbled street after the love of her life. "Don't leave me! If you go, i'll.. i'll scream and..!"
The raven-haired Uchiha disappeared, faster than the normal eye could trace, the only sign that he had reappeared, being the warm breathe, fanning over the back of her neck; he was stood directly behind her. They stood there, unmoving, as the wind picks up and floated the fallen leaves along, swirling around them.
"Sakura.." He said slowly, in a softer voice, than she had ever heard him speak before, "Arigatou."
Her tears stopped, she just stared straight ahead. Shocked. She was amazed that he.. Uchiha Sasuke, could say something nice.. To her. The wind captured her delicate pink locks, and they danced it the wind. She had no idea what he meant by thank you, and she didn't really care, she had to fight the natural urge to turn around and kiss him. She wanted to embrace him and never let him go.
Duff.
Taking advantage of her, whilst she was distracted, he hit her over the back of her head, far to quickly for her to react.
Slowly falling into a dark world of unconsciousness, she whispered, "Sasuke-kun.." in a last attempt to stop him.
The onyx-eyed Uchiha caught her and lay her a white stone bench, a few yards away, on the side of the path.
The sun was shining brightly. The warmth radiating off of it was softly caressing a certain pink-haired girls exposed skin. Almost as if trying to comfort her from the nightmare she was about to wake up too. The sky was an orangey-red. The birds were singing merrily, without a care in the world.
Two chuunin, clad in grey slacks with a matching jacket, were walking down a cobbled path. Both were carrying enormous piles of paperwork, no doubt for the hokage.
"Its four in the morning." The one named Kotetsu said, yawning. "The Godaime really abuses her people. She could have gotten the documents she left behind herself." He continued to moan.
"Uh." Something caught his eyes, as he continued up the path.
His comrade peeked his head round over the pile of documents he was holding. "What's wrong?" Izumo asked his comrade.
They walked closer. And sure enough, a young female genin lay on the bench.
"Hey wake up. If you sleep out here, you'll catch a cold." Kotetsu said worriedly.
Sakura stirred as she started to come round. Muttering words that neither men understood.
The second she opened her eyes, she heard Sasuke's last words. "Arigatou."
She shot up on the bench, screaming, "Sasuke-Kun!"
She realised with a twinge of pain and sadness, that she was too late. It was already morning, he was long gone. Sakura's shoulders dipped, as she started to shake. The tears came in soft sobs.
In The Beginning.
A whole week had gone by since Naruto came back from the mission to retrieve Sasuke. For the first few days, Sakura blamed him for not bringing Sasuke back. She never told him this, of course, because it was never in her nature to be so cruel. But still, she never wanted to feel that pain again. It tore her apart from the inside. It felt like someone was tightly squeezing her heart before ripping it out of her chest. The pain she felt was equal to being stabbed with a thousand knives. She never knew it would hurt so much; yet it hurt more, then she could have ever imagine.
Right now she understood Sasuke's pain, even if just a little. So why did he attempt to sever the only bonds he had left? Why did he leave behind the only form of family he had left? Why did he choose to be all alone again? If solitude was one of the most painful things to experience, then why bring it upon himself? How could he go through this pain all over again?
What hurt her was the fact that she told him if he left, it would be the same thing to her as being all alone. Yet he left. But the thing that hurt the most though, was what he had said, 'My heart decided on revenge. That's always been my reason for living.' Did that mean, that his heart valued his revenge more than it did her? Was she never enough? Did she ever mean anything to him? She had never felt so rejected in her entire life.
For the most part of the week, she had sat in her room. Barely slept or ate a thing. She felt weak and tired, but she couldn't bring herself to do anything, but think. And sometimes she'd wonder if she thought about it to much; if she read into what he said a little to deeply, and got the wrong idea of what he was trying to say.
You haven't changed, your still annoying. She knew why he said it. He was trying to make her hate him. Whether the statement was truly what he believed or not. He was trying to break her with words, he didn't need to fight her, like he did Naruto. She was weak.. So weak, that it really only took words. And he knew this, they were comrades after all. He knew all her weak spots, and he even knew that he himself, was one of them.
The one thing she really didn't understand was the last words he said to her, the final goodbye. She had cried angry, frustrated tears. She would never be able to understand him, the way he did her. He could read her like a book, and yet, she could never tell what he was thinking, unless he wanted her to.
'Sakura.. he had said, slowly and in a softer voice than she had ever heard him speak, Arigatou.'
What did he mean. What was he saying thank-you for? She would never know, unless she asked him. But would he tell her? She doubted it, and that was if she ever saw him again.
She soon realised, after blaming Naruto; that she only did, so she didn't have to blame herself. She understood that if she had been stronger, she could have stopped him herself. Or if she had let her blonde-haired comrade walk her home, like he insisted, then maybe he could have stopped Sasuke from leaving. That just maybe, they could have done it together. I mean they say two is always better than one, right? But even so, it was too late now, and it was all her fault. Or so she believed.
A knock on her balcony door brought her out of her reveries. Even though the curtains were covering the glass, she could see the silhouette of everyone's favourite knuckle headed ninja, stood outside. She brought her hand up and made a quick wipe of her eyes, to try and hide the evidence that she had been crying, again.
The knocks came louder this time, "Sakura-Chan! Are you in there?" The blonde exclaimed.
"Hai, Come in Naruto." She called back.
Naruto had been around everyday for the past week to make sure she was alright. The first couple of days, had him sneaking out of hospital; he wasn't allowed out, but he refused to stay in. Not when Sakura needed him most. Lie as she might, but he knew she was shaken and needed him; And truth be told, he also needed her. Although he would put on a brave face around his pink-haired comrade, he was feeling the same pain that she was.
The balcony door slide open, and he pushed his way through the curtains. Taking a look around he noticed not much had changed. Sakura's bed was a mess as though she had had another sleepless night. The room was dark and gloomy, he could practically feel her pain and suffering in the atmosphere.
There was a bowl of untouched rice on the bedside cabinet. No doubt Sakura's Okaa-San had made it, and she had just brought it up here, again, so it still looked like she was eating.
He then looked at the other side of the room, and sure enough; Sakura was sat in a chair clutching a photograph of team seven. Her eyes were slightly puffy, and silver tracks stained her face, from all her crying. Even though she was dressed in a thin night dress, with her hair up in a messy bun, she still looked beautiful. No matter what she looked like she would always look like an angel to him.
He continued to stare at her for a few moments longer, with big cerulean, worried eyes. He examined her over and apart from the tear struck face; she looked fatigued and thin. He never said anything, but she had drastically lost weight this week, so much so that even he had noticed, he was beginning to get concerned. He had half a mind to carry her over to Tsunade for a check up.
"You've been crying." He said softly.
"No am just tired, that's all." She tried to lie.
"You've not left you're house all week."
"There's been no need, we've had no missions or anything." She tried, but it was a rubbish excuse.
"You wanna come and get some ramen?" He asked, "Or something else.. If you don't want ramen." He grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. He'd asked her this question everyday he had come to see her, and each time she made an excuse, but it was worth a try, he had to do something.
Sakura looked at him for a moment. She could see the sunrays peeping in from the gaps in her curtains, that Naruto had made coming in. He was right, she hadn't been out in so long. Is this what Sasuke would have wanted? Surly not. He hated it when she cried. To him, it was a sign of weakness. He would have wanted her to do something with her life, not mope around like he was dead. Because he wasn't, right?
She sighed, placing the photo on the side. She faked a smile, that Sai would have been proud of. "Alright Naruto, but not for long, okay?" the pink-haired kunoichi agreed.
She watched him pump his fists in the air, excited that he succeeded this time.
"Yeah, you can eat as much as you want, its all on me Sakura-chan." He said proudly.
Sakura and Naruto were sat at the bar of the Ichiraku's ramen stand. It was getting to late evening now, and the sun was starting to set. The rays shone into the stand, gracing everything in a soft yellow glow. It was beautiful, and the pink-haired kunoichi couldn't believe what she had been missing out on. She forgot how much she had admired watching the sunset. Looking at the different shades of blues, reds and yellows, all blended perfectly together.
That was her ideal of beauty. Something that lasts a moment, before it fades away. Later when the stars would come out, she would sit and count them, or see if she could make out any images. She missed listening to the soft hum of the birds, and the croaky sound of the crickets at night. The things in nature she often took notice of when out on missions with team seven. Naruto helped her see the beauty of the setting sun. Sasuke used to gaze at the stars, when he thought everyone was asleep, and that's how Sakura started to take notice of them.
What would happen to her team now? Would they continue to be team seven without Sasuke, or would her and Naruto be split into other teams? If they kept her and the blonde on the same team, surly they weren't strong enough. Sure she had perfect chakra control and was a genius when it came to genjutsu. But that was all she was really good for. She was never a fighter. Naruto and Sasuke had always been the strength on her team, along with there sensei, Hatake Kakashi. She had merely been the burden, the let down.
She pushed it all to the back of her mind. She was sick of sitting around thinking about everything. Sakura just wanted a nice night out with her best friend. Gosh, what would she do without him.
The blonde-haired genin had downed three bowls of Miso ramen with pork, his favourite. Sakura on the other hand was still on her first. She had barely touched it. She hadn't eaten in so long, that it was like she had forgotten how to eat. None-the-less, Naruto was paying and she wasn't about to be rude, she knew he wouldn't mind and that he was just glad for her company, but it wasn't the point now was it.
As they continued to eat in companionable silence, Sakura couldn't help but think, it was all she was good at these days. She came to the conclusion that there was no use crying over spilt milk, and decided it was time to move on. Why waste her tears on a baka that didn't even care to begin with. He never saw, and probably doesn't care about, anyone else's pain, but his own. Besides he never loved her, so he never would, that much was obvious. He said it himself, his heart chose revenge over Naruto and herself. Not just revenge but Orochimaru too.
She remembered the cold chill that ran down her spine, as that snake had stood in front of her and Sasuke. How they both froze in place, as fear took over their bodies. It was the only time she had ever seen her, brave Sasuke-Kun, so scared; and it only helped to fuel the burning fear in the pit of her stomach, all the more. Orochimaru's skin was a strange, pale, white hue. His eyes were, mere amber slits; so cold and snake like. The way his hair had hung around his face, gave him that dark, creepy look. His tongue was long, and abnormal the way he flicked it about his mouth as he spoke. He had seemed like a bold out going person, but at the same time sly. He was definitely the type of being that would do anything for more power, to learn more jutsu.
She had goose bumps all over just at the thought, of the memory. How could Sasuke betray her, their team and all of Konoha; to go with him, of all people. He could have stayed in konoha to get strong, like he had been doing all these years. Damn, konoha are even after the Akatsuki, he would have gotten a chance to get his revenge if he stayed. He would have even had more chance completing his dream if he stayed, than he would at Orochimaru's, since the he just wants his body. The snake Sannin doesn't care about his revenge, so why would he let him have it? Especially now he's got his new container. How could Sasuke be so dumb. He was supposed to be the smarter one of the team. Even if he got his revenge, she doubted he would ever return.
"Ne? Naruto-kun?"
"Umhph." He answered, noodles half hanging out his mouth.
If a random person ever did that, she would have found it totally disgusting, but she was so used to it by now that she didn't pay it any mind and continued. "Do you think we'll still be team seven, you, Kaka-Sensei and me?"
Finally swallowing his food he replied, "Hai, Tsunade no baa-chan said that we were, when i asked her."
She sighed with relief, and the air was filled with silence once again. Tsunade-Sama, Sakura thought.
"Ano.. didn't you say Tsunade-sama has super strength? And is the best medical-nin in all of Konoha?"
"Yeah, you should have seen the way she was throwing Orochimaru around. Am surprised he's still alive.. I mean, it was one heck of a beating." He shoved some more noodles in his mouth, "You should have seen it Sakura-Chan, it was amazing."
She was throwing him around you say. A million thoughts ran through her mind at that moment. If she could throw him around like Naruto says Tsunade did, then maybe she could help get Sasuke back. "Really.." Sakura said intrigued, "Wasn't that, that mission you went on with Jiraiya-Sama?"
"Hai. I would have died on that mission, if she never healed me."
The kunoichi practically jumped out of her seat, and gave a very shocked Naruto, a quick hug. "A-ano, Ill see you tomorrow Naruto, gomen something came up."
As she ran down the street, he only just herd her shout back, "Arigatou!"
That was a quick change of mood. A little to quick for even Sakura-chan, Naruto thought. He wonder what all that was about. How can something, all of a sudden come up. Strange. He figured he'd just have to find out tomorrow.
His job is done anyhow. The fox-like boy had a huge grin across his face. He actually did it, and all in one night. The excited energy and smile from his pink haired comrade, almost filled up the space in his heart, that Sasuke left, almost. It wasn't fake like what she had been giving him all week. He didn't know what she was up to, but if it made her that blissful, he really didn't care.
As long as she was happy, he was happy. It was all that mattered.
The Kage of Konohagakure was sat in her office, drinking sake, out of a little white polystyrene cup. Only because she managed to send her assistant Shizune on some errands for her. She really didn't feel like dealing with the lectures. It made her head hurt just thinking about it. She could imagine just what she would say, if she realised she had sent her out on errands, just so she could have a drink.
'Put that down Tsunade-Sama.' She would start.
'Your Hokage now, you cant drink all the time, like you used too. The village could be in danger, if your drinking sake and we get attacked. What good would you be drunk?'
The busty blonde tried to stifle a laugh, but to no avail. She looked to the side of her desk where three, foot long piles of mission reports were waiting to be signed, so the shinobi could get their pay. Only one thought came to mind, I must have been high off my kite, to agree to this job
Suddenly there was a soft, almost hesitant knock at the door. For a second she froze, before nearly falling out her chair, shoving her precious sake bottle in her top draw, along with all the other hidden, empty containers. Picking up her inked brush, she started messily signing the small pile of mission reports; she had put in front of her for emergencies-- Like these.
Clearing her throat, she tried to sound as professional as she could in her drunken state. "Come in."
There was a feminine, "Hai," from the other side of the door. The large, dark timber door opened too, as a rather thin woman slipped through, closing it quietly behind her. She didn't recognise her at first. That was until she saw the rosette coloured hair.
"Sakura, What brings you here?" She asked, furrowing her brows slightly in confusion. She never summoned her to the office, and it was kind of late for a girl as young as she was to be wondering the streets.
"I have a favour to ask of you."
"Nanda?"
The kunoichi took a deep breathe. She reasoned with herself on the way, that this was the only way for her to become stronger. For her to have the ability to help her friends, so clearing her mind, she began. "Hokage-sama, I refuse to be weak. I refuse to be a burden to my team, and fellow comrades. I refuse to let them save me every time i get into trouble. I refuse to show any weakness. I need to get strong, and i need for my comrades to be able to count on me, as much as i do them. I admire your skills and inner strength. You have been my idol since the very first day i met you, when you saved Sasuke-kun from the Mangekyo Sharingan. Am gonna drag that baka back to konoha, even if i have to do it myself. Basically am trying to say, i Haruno Sakura, wish to become your apprentice."
She quit pretending she was actually doing her work, and took a look at the young child in front of her. She laced her fingers in front of her, on the desk. She noticed that she looked thinner since the last time she saw her, just after Sasuke ran off to Orochimaru. There were dark circles under her eyes, lack of sleep no doubt. Her hair was in disarray, and she smelled of ramen. As she looked harder, she saw a mirage of Naruto and Sasuke stood next to her. It made her think of the two precious people that used to be in her life. Dan, her lover and Nawaki, her younger brother.
Sakura was just like her.
Sasuke had gone to Orochimaru and needed to get out of there, and Akatsuki were after Naruto. There was a chance this girls two most precious people, could be ripped away from her as well. It seemed like the pink-haired girl knew this, and wanted to do something about it, before it was to late. Tsunade smiled to herself, Your desperate aren't you? she thought.
Plus Kakashi had said that she had precise chakra control. Konoha needs more medical ninja, and she would prefer if there was atleast one in every platoon. It would increase the survival rate of the shinobi, and up the mission success rate. But medical ninja aren't raised easily, the person requires a different kind of skill and fighting style, which should be easy with Sakura, considering she doesn't really have one. A huge collection of special knowledge shouldn't be to hard, she would be able to apply all of it in a wide scope, with discipline.
Also in order to be raised as a first class medical ninja, you must have something that is important to you, that she does have. "Hm.."
It came out as more of a rant, than anything else. She wanted to sound calm and collected but under pressure, it never seemed to go as she wanted it to. She closed her eyelids, shutting her emerald eyes from view. Her pink lashes fluttered over her cheeks, which tickled a little, but she didn't let it show. She merely waited, to be rejected.
"Haruno, Sakura!" The hokage said as she looked up at her, Sakura opened her eyes.
"Kakashi tells me that you clearly have intelligence and courage. Very well."
Sakura gasped and smiled, her hands clasped above her heart. "Arigatou."
"In return, know that i will be strict."
The kunoichi bowed slightly, as she said, "Hai Tsunade-Sama."
The hokage shook her head, "Its Shishou now, Sakura."
"Hai, Tsunade-Shishou."
It felt weird to address the hokage as Shishou, she supposed she would have to get used to it. It cheered her spirits a little, its not everyday someone gets to call their villages hokage Shishou. It made her feel special in a way. She was proud of herself.
Take that Sasuke-Kun, give it a few months, and you won't be able to call me weak any longer. And Naruto, i will finally be able to protect you.
A tall silver-haired man, in the standard jounin uniform, stood on the little red ledge outside of the hokage's office window.
He had heard the rattle of bottles, and saw the sad attempt the new hokage had made, pretending she was actually working. He heard the soft knock at the door, knowing it was his pink-haired student.
He had perched himself there, and listened intently, to both females talking. He had to admit, he was mildly surprised at the young genin. He didn't think that was what she had wanted to talk about. And the knew found confidence of hers, was really something.
Being apprentice of a Kage, is heard of, but usually only in cases where the Kage was a jounin sensei first, and just decided to keep teaching his or her team on top of the other duties a Kage has to do. Like the fourth did Kakashi and his team.
But it was unheard of for a Kage to just randomly take on a student.
He had suppressed his chakra signature earlier, as he followed his only female student, Sakura. He had seen her having ramen with Naruto, his other student, and a warmth enveloped his heart. She was finally getting back to the fun, bubbly girl she used to be, and he was truly proud of her.
She had, at last, left the cold dark shadows of her room, she hid herself within.
Once again, the pink-haired kunoichi found herself stood in the office of the Godaime hokage, who had summoned her, Naruto, and her sensei, Kakashi.
The room was quiet, as the busty blonde stood looking out at the village through the large window. Team seven stood in front of her desk, quietly awaiting her orders. They were sure it was just another mission, of C-Rank no doubt.
The cerulean-eyed genin of the team was fumbling with his fingers; he hated silence, it was the one thing that could really get to him. He was after all, an extremely loud and energetic young man. He wore the usual bright orange and dark blue tracksuit; perfectly mirroring his hyperactive personality. He looked ready to explode, the kunoichi mused to herself.
The silver-haired team leader, was stood still, fully in uniform. His perverted book was no where in sight, but Sakura had a feeling it was on him, somewhere. He looked as calm and unfazed as usual.
The kunoichi of the team had her hands casually placed behind her back. She was nervous though, but it didn't show. One of the skills she had started working on. She had on the long red dress and shorts, she would normally wear.
"Ne? Baa-Chan," Naruto finally blurted out, "Do we have a mission?"
She turned around looking at Naruto, the high volume of his voice, and her headache, didn't go very well together. Annoyance flared in her hazel eyes for a brief moment, before she shouted, "I told you to stop calling me that, Uzumaki!"
The poor boy took a step back, fright evident by his features. He said nothing more.
The hokage took a seat, slumping back in her chair. She sat for a moment in silence, before lifting her gaze to the shinobi, lined up in front of her. Pushing a few blonde strands of hair, out of her face, she begun. "This isn't a mission briefing." She looked to the blonde, "We just need to discuss the dynamics of this team, now that the Uchiha has left."
"Okay.." he rubbed his chin, slightly confused.
She looked to the jounin, she couldn't look at Sakura. For she knew she would see hurt reflecting on the surface of her jade orbs. "With the Uchiha gone, we have lost; a keke-genkai, a genius, a genjutsu specialist, and a good fighter; that was rolled all into one. But Kakashi here has the same keke-genkai and was a child prodigy, Sakura, you are a genius and genjutsu specialist and Naruto, as I understand it, you are the brawler of the team; so in that respect, the team dynamics is still flawless."
The three of them stood silently, with their fingers crossed, yes even Hatake; expectantly, for the hokage to continue. They knew the decision of whether to keep them together as a team, or not, was coming next.
"I understand as many have told me, that team seven was the closest team out of all the rookie nine, including team guy. Ive also been told that the team work and mission success rate is flawless, as I have seen. So i made the decision to keep your team together, just the three of you, but i will not hesitate to disband it if any of you start slacking."
She looked up at the two smiling genin, although, she could see that the pink haired kunoichi's smile was not true. The corners of Kakashi's mouth were turned up, and his exposed eye was closed in a happy smile crease.
"You three will continue to go on missions together, and may continue to train as a team. However Kakashi, you will focus more on training Naruto, as i will be training Sakura myself."
"Understood, Hokage-sama." Kakashi nodded his head.
Naruto furrowed his brows, looking at Sakura then Tsunade. He quickly looked back at his pink-haired friend with a bright smile, lighting up his face, as realization dawned on him. "I see. So that's why you was in such a hurry last night. You wanted to ask Tsunade no Baa-Chan to train you."
"Uh-huh." She replied, with a proud smile.
The apprentice of the Hokage had a busy, daily routine.
First thing in the morning she would work on her medical skills. Often she'd arrive at her Shishou's office and find her half asleep, drooling on scrolls, mission requests and reports, along with other important things. It really was a funny sight to see. For now, Sakura was still learning the basic healing techniques. She started on fish at first, and now she could heal little scraps and scratches; slightly numb pain to minor wounds, and help mend bruised tissue, although not completely. She was catching on a lot faster than Tsunade had thought. She was a quick learner, things never needed explaining more than twice, and not to mention her chakra-control was truly prodigious.
Around noon she would meet Naruto, and later on Kakashi, when he felt like showing up. The appointed spot was on the same old bridge, her team always met up on, before training. They would practice throwing kunai and shuriken more accurately, as their sensei would shout out bits of advice, from over the top of his pornographic reading material. Kakashi often let the two spar. It was simple stuff, but area's they still had room to improve on.
Next was always a late after noon snack. Ramen was usually up for grabs, but on an odd occasion they would have dango and tea, which Sakura preferred. Hatake would always try to be sneaky, and run off before the bill came. It never went to plan as he frequently forgot he had Jutsu training with Naruto after, so he never got very far.
Last but not least, the pink haired genin would work on her battle skills. After the first lesson, she had on this subject with Tsunade, it seriously made her value her life more.
It was a normal summers day. The sky was still bright, but it was close to sundown. Sakura wore a red tank top, black shorts and a medic apron that Tsunade had given her.
The blonde was stood at the other end of training ground one, next to the hokage tower, wearing a black pair of slacks and a plain long sleaved top. Her expression was serious, and from that moment on the pink-haired kunoichi knew that she was not joking, when she said she wasn't going to go easy on her.
"Sakura, can you explain to me the reason why, evasive skills are more important to medical-ninja, than combat?"
"Uh.. I don't know, shishou.." "Because, if the medic is injured, how are they supposed to heal their injured comrades." she answered, very matter-of-factly. "Before I teach you how to fight or heal, you will first learn how to evade attacks; otherwise the other two would be pointless in your line of work."
"I understand." she replied, a little crest fallen.
"Now, ready yourself. I'm going to attack, and I want you to block every single one of them.. And remember I wont hold back, it's the only way you will improve."
"But shishou.." she started, but was blown into a tree trunk a few yards back, before she had time to finish.
And it hadn't stopped there, the pinkette remembered with a wince; her teacher had come at her brutally, not stopping, even when Sakura had begged her too. The first lesson had landed her in hospital, and she had been sore for weeks later; her whole body literally black and blue.
Her mother had been quite upset, after her first visit to see her only daughter; It was her silver-haired sensei that had to come over to take her mother home; but not before explaining that, it was Sakura herself that had gone to the hokage and asked to become her apprentice. That it was her own choice and nothing was forced on her. It took a while, but her mother had eventually given up and left her thirteen year old daughter to her own devices.
After her blonde comrade had been in to see her and found out what had went on, it was another story entirely; he had stormed his way to the hokage tower, ready to rip Tsunade a new one. He couldn't believe that the old lady could be so cruel to her own student. He made it quite clear that he never wanted to see his poor little Sakura-chan, like that again. It even made him wince, as he remembered the way the hokage had punched around Orochimaru. If he was Sakura, even he would have quit before the first session was over; but his little pink-haired friend had said that she would see the training all the way through. That nothing was going to stop her getting Sasuke back. Not even death itself.
And so the training sessions went on. From that day forward, she stopped watching her team from the side lines, and started fighting with her all, right along with them. Her evasive skills quickly became second to none, and her medical ninjutsu became second to only her shishou. Her combat skills improved tremendously; and she was wielding a kunai knife at jounin level, in the final rounds of the chuunin exams, the following year.
A/N: I know it was long, eightteen pages long, to be more precise; but i felt like i needed to add this before the other prologue, so you as a reader have a better understanding of a few changes to Sakura's personality, in the upcoming chapters. She will be a little different, not quite as bubbly; but bare with me people, its part of my character developement in this story, and she is the way she is for a reason. so yeah, there will be a bit of ooc'ness, but with reasons you will later come to understand-- if you continue to read my fic that is. :) Just as a heads up, the actual story will take off from here, to roughly three years later. Which is where my mad plot begins.. Muu-haar...har.. You guys proberably wont believe me when i say, it took me hours to get this chappy on here for use. Seriously, the stupiid FF document fingy-ma-bob kept making all my writing bold and underlined in random places, taking out all my italics -where they were needed-, and eating half my sentences.. yes.. eating them. : : : sighs. It was sooo troublesome, but i did it for you guys. Sooo, for all the trouble and many hours of tired and ratty fustration, it would be nice if you could spend a minute to review.. otherwise for me, it would have all been for nothing. Im sure you writers out their know what i mean. Don't ya?? -wiggles brows sugestively- Anyhooowzs, The things sleep deprivation does to people, its not good, people make sure you get your sleep. Remember to review, i will appreciate it soo much more than you know, i really will. Till next time, ja ne..
.. am tired and had no sleep last night, so just ignore my ramblings onn.. okay?
Okay.. Good. :)
I feel like a car running on empty, so am gonna stop now; and bug my sister instead-- evil grinss XD.
Rudiieee-Mikomii.x