Chapter 1: The Ominous First Snow
Attempt #3:
Forgive me for once again editing these chapters. I realized that I made a mistake in chapter nine that would affect the plot and I figured since it's been a year since I updated (I'm so sorry, please forgive me), that I'd try to make this story a little better. I also never thought I had so many followers… Thank you! It means so much. All of you have inspired me to, once again, update! Also, if you wanted any of the original chapters…sorry…I don't think I have them anymore D:
Song: Hanabi- Ikimono Gakari (This was an ending song for Bleach)
***Don't skip this chapter if you've already read this story. I've made significant changes!***
~Sakura's POV~
For the first time in our history, it was snowing in Konohagakure! And where was I? In the middle of the street, dancing and singing to a tune that was stuck in my head, of course! The sound of my voice carried throughout the town like Sakura petals floating in the spring breeze. I was walking the familiar, yet strangely empty, road with a particular destination in my mind.
"Kirameite yurameite aoki yume mai hanatsu hana moe yuku…" Seeing as winter almost never comes to Konoha, I was not well dressed to be out in the cold. I donned the warmest clothes I could find: A lavender colored sweater I usually wore on chilly nights, a pair of jeans I occasionally wore with my casual clothes, a white hat I had for no reason, and some sneakers for when I would go jogging. I admit, they weren't the best, but a little cold weather wasn't going to keep me inside!
"...Seijaku ni ochiru sora futahira no yume hanabi kanata ni tabidatsu anata mo mieta no?" I could hear the beat of the song in my head so clearly, it was like the band was around me performing it. My dance seemed as graceful as a celestial goddess to me but I know it didn't actually look like that in reality. I probably looked more like a fish out of water.
"...Setsuna ni hirak-" I stopped abruptly when I felt that I was no longer the only person on the previously deserted street. A much too familiar presence was standing behind me, sending chills down my spine. My happiness was sucked out of me almost immediately and I cringed visibly when the voice spoke out.
"Sakura Haruno, I have a message for you from the elders." I stood in silence with the ANBU member at my back. Never making the slightest move to turn around to look at him and never giving him anything less my complete attention. He was too dangerous to even let my mind wander for a second.
This particular ANBU and I have had a history. Not the typical history. We never dated or anything like that. I once thought of him as a friend...plain and simple. ROOT. Yes, he was from ROOT and could care less about who he hurt, as long as he finished his mission successfully. Who could blame him though? After all, that is how members of ROOT were taught to act.
Of course the elders would send him; Tsunade-sama would never send him to see me. I absent-mindedly tried to raise my hand to trace a scar on my chest, but knew I couldn't show him even the slightest sign of weakness. When my silence did not change, he continued with his message.
"There is an S-Rank mission up for audition. The audition commences at three p.m. tomorrow in the Chuunin testing stadium. The elders want you to participate. Oh, and bring the Uchiha." He said Uchiha as if the word were so disgusting to say, it would rot his mouth. Immediately, in a poof of white smoke, he was gone.
Audition...? This left me momentarily baffled. There were never auditions for missions, especially not S-ranked missions. Also, for the elders to instruct me to be there personally and for me to bring Sasuke, it must be important. Though convincing Sasuke to try out for something like that would be difficult, if not impossible. Sasuke would not talk to many people in the village now he had returned. Naruto, some of the Rookie Nine, his old team "Hebi", the Hokage when necessary and I were the only people he would have contact with. I didn't blame him for not talking to other people though; I started walking while thinking about the past. After that incident, I would be wary of who I talked to too. Not to mention, the village had never fully accepted Sasuke back; he was shunned.
I soon found myself walking faster towards my destination. The further away from that place I could get, the better. As I got closer, I watched where I was going less and less. My mind was in deep thought, and I knew this route well, though I usually only found myself just passing by.
Walking up the stairs to the third floor of this apartment complex was an easy task while my mind was racing. But I failed to notice that there was that pole there...*Thunk* I fell on my butt like there was a fifty pound weight attached to the back of me.
"What are you doing here?" I heard his silky smooth voice ask as I rubbed my aching bum.
"Hi, Sasuke-kun!" I said hugging him; as usual he didn't hug me back. I decided that he would give in one day though!
"What's wrong?" He asked me. I looked into his dark, seductive coal eyes and stepped away from him a little with a confused look on my face. Just now admiring his clothing of choice, I realized he had on a pair of light looking black pajama pants and a white T-shirt. He was standing in his doorway with messy, bed-head hair. He must've just woken up not too long ago. After all, it was only about 8:30 a.m.
"I don't know what you are talking about." I replied averting my gaze to the offensive pole.
"You're eyes are clouded with fear and your hands are shaking. Tell me what happened." It wasn't a request to be answered. It was a 'Tell-me-what's-wrong-or-I'll-tsukiyomi-it-out-of-you' statement. His eyes backed up what he said as he gave me a peeved glare. *Sigh*
"Well," I looked down with a grim expression, "I met that ANBU on the way over here and he had a message," I looked into his eyes searching for a hint of emotion, "for us". He wore an expression that made me worry about what he was remembering. He looked off into space for awhile before I decided it was time to break him out of the past.
"Sasuke-kun? Can I come in for a bit? It's really cold out here." I asked putting on an innocent face and wrapping my arms around my small body, imitating a slight shiver.
"Ah." He turned and started walking back into his apartment. Shoving his hand in his hair, I could tell he was frustrated, though he quickly removed his hand, trying to keep his cool. He's going to crack if he doesn't vent to someone soon...
"Thanks." Upon entering I was bombarded by the sweet smell of apple pie and the warm feeling of a roaring fire place.
"Since when does the great Uchiha prodigy know how to cook? Especially pie?" I asked stifling a laugh. I was secretly hoping I could somehow get my hands on a piece of his home-made pie though.
"I don't." He was cold to me, making it excruciatingly obvious he wanted me to leave quickly. What's wrong with him? I turned to look in the kitchen and saw Karin pulling a delectable looking apple pie out of the oven. You could see the smoky white steam dispersing into the air above it. A slight twinge of jealousy went through my body.
"Oh, hi Sakura-chan! I didn't know you were coming over today!" She said, throwing me a model worthy smile. My confidence and mood just dropped by 200 percent. As if it wasn't low enough already... I had no idea Karin and Sasuke were a thing.
"Do you like apple pie? I got up early to make it. It's Sasuke-kuns favorite!" She said rubbing salt in my freshly opened wound.
"Uhm...Yeah, but I'm busy. Sorry. It's nice to see you again, Karin. I just gotta tell Sasuke-kun something about a mission." I put on the biggest fake smile I've ever had to use. I didn't want to upset Sasuke any further by intruding. Sasuke looked at me skeptically; he knows that I want to stay longer.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe next time?" She was so nice to me after we accepted Hebi into Konoha. It was rough for them at first, but Naruto and I supported Sasukes wish to have them accepted into the village. Slowly, they were making progress with the villagers.
Things between me and her have always been a little…weird though. She is aware of the love I've always held for Sasuke, and she…well…she is very upfront with her feelings towards him.
"Sure." Sasuke again glanced at me, with his accusatory eyes. It was like I killed his kitten today and he was trying to suppress his want to get revenge on me. Maybe I came at a really bad time today?
"If you're here to tell him about the auditions, then I already told him." She placed the pie onto a silver cooling rack next to a picture of her and Sasuke and he was smiling. My world felt like it cracked a little. She was hugging him too, and he wasn't pushing her away.
I want to leave.
"Oh, well thank you! My job is already done for me then. I guess I'll be going. I have lots of things to do at the hospital today. See you later!" I hadn't even made it ten steps into his, maybe even their, apartment. I tried to keep the bitterness I was feeling out of my voice. I was successful and I could see that Karin was completely fooled by my act. Sasuke, on the other hand, was a different story. He always seemed to be able to read my thoughts and emotions perfectly. How inconvenient. He also knew I had work at the hospital off today for team training and that I just wanted to leave.
I walked out the door quickly and closed it behind me. I know Sasuke saw the face I made, so I dashed off as quickly as I could without using any chakra, so I wouldn't alert Karin of how I felt right now.
"Sakura, wait!" I could hear Sasuke yell after me. He ran after me, slamming the door on his way out. I was running really fast and started adding more and more chakra as I went. I didn't want to be caught by him right now and I didn't want him to see my sullen face. I ran past little shops and stalls that were all abandoned today. I assumed it had to do with the lack of warm clothing people owned.
"Sakura!" He was gaining on me and I refused to turn around and see just how close he was to grabbing me. I didn't want to get caught by him, no matter what. I just wanted to be useful to him! ..To not get in his way all the time...
I ran down an alley to a street that was usually littered with people. I was getting closer to the hospital. I just need to make it in there, and he'll leave. The smell makes him sick. I took an abrupt turn to my right to be greeted by ice covered stairs. What do I do? Fall, of course. I braced myself for impact when I felt a pair of warm, strong arms grasp my waist. Sasuke... I turned to see him panting hard. He embraced me into a hug. He put one off his rough, yet gentle hands into my silky hair pushing my face into his chest. Now was not the time to notice, but he smelt so good. He was still in his pajamas. No coat and only house slippers covering his feet. His other arm wrapped around my waist tighter, but only tight enough to keep me from running again. He confused me with his actions. Why would he chase after me in his pajamas and hug me so tightly if he's with Karin?
"You scared me." He said, finally catching his breath. "Sakura..."
I looked into his eyes for a sign, fearing that he would be mad at me for running away from him. They looked soft but only momentarily, until he realized what he was doing. He released me instantly and stepped away as if I had burned him.
"Call before you come over. I have important things to do. You can't just come over when you feel like it." He just walked back the way we had just come from. I stood there dumb-founded and slightly heart-broken. Tears stung my eyes even though I was prepared for something like this to happen. I turned back to the offensive stairs to start walking away. Something caught my attention in front of my feet; it was glimmering. Surprised and confused I picked it up promptly. It was a silver ring with a ruby in the center and two diamonds accenting the sides. The silver band had an exquisite design that was as captivating as the vast oceans. It was strung on a silver chain that matched the ring perfectly. Engraved on the inside of the band was "Love will always shine, even through the darkness".
Where did this come from?I looked around for the owner but I saw no one in the area. I felt a faint chakra that gave me a slight feeling of nostalgia. I decided to follow it and I found myself at the entrance of the old Uchiha compound. I could feel the chakra getting stronger and stronger the further in I went. I followed the chakra to the most elegant house in the middle of the enormous compound.
I walked through the worn garden gate and slowly up to the abandoned front door. There were weeds overtaking the old stone path and there was a litter of wind-blown trash collected in the brittle fence and untrimmed bushes. As I reached the door, the ring had once again peaked my interest. I took it out to examine it momentarily.
Did it come from this familiar chakra? I placed it back into my pocket and grabbed the cold doorknob. This door looked like it hadn't been opened in years, but as I turned the knob; it worked like it was brand new. The chakra grew stronger, again, so I, again, followed it. I followed its traces to a room with a dirty window and a dust covered picture hanging on the wall. Nothing else but a couple of stains and cracks on the walls and floors …blood. No wonder Sasuke never comes here.
I decided to look at the picture closer; I took it into my hands and dusted it off with my sleeve. The light color of my sweaters sleeve was now a dark gray. Gross. I identified Sasuke and Itachi. I assumed the older man and woman standing behind them were their parents. They looked happy together. Itachi was rubbing Sasukes head with a slight smirk on his face. Sasuke was grimacing at his older brothers antics while their parents were holding each other; looking at their children fondly. This must be Sasuke's house.
"Thank you for coming, Haruno Sakura. I did not think you would accept my invite." I whipped my head around to find the owner of the voice, to be greeted by a single Sharingan surrounded by an orange, swirling mask. The man was leaning confidently against the wall.
"Who are you? Do you know of this ring?" I asked, holding up the ring. My voice was serious and my face expressed a slight stern-ness. I faintly recognized his mask. Have I seen him before?
"Madara Uchiha, and yes, I do. After all, I pried it out of Makoto Uchihas cold, dead hands." He responded calmly as I inwardly gasped. His body language gave off the feeling of not only confidence, but utter control. My eyes went wide for a split second before I hardened them on his figure, slightly in the shadows.
"What do you want? Why did you give me this ring?" I glared at him. I needed as much info as I could get before I booked it out of here as fast as I could.
"I want Sasuke back under my control…and you are the key to that, my dear Sakura-chan." I twinged as he added the informality to the end of my name. He stepped out into the light slightly and I noticed his cloak immediately. Akatsuki. So he's the one Naruto fought before in that forest. I need to get away…. Even Naruto was no match for him. I started to faintly fluctuate my chakra. A ninja SOS. It was too flashy to use when you're hiding from the enemy, but I felt right now that I just needed help, and fast.
"I wouldn't do that, Sa-ku-ra." He was behind me, in an instant, breathing down my neck. I realized that I couldn't even defend myself against him, and I whirled around to look him in the face. "I want to destroy the happiness Sasuke is feeling right now; playing happy little village with all his happy little friends. It's only a mere illusion, a lie, and I will use you to show him that, Haruno Sakura." Taken by surprise, all I could do was stare at his exposed eye. Anger radiated off of his entire being and his words dripped with venom. I was feeling suddenly hopeless, so I made a dart for the only window in the room. If I could just get some help!
Well….this was my third attempt at editing/changing this story. Quite a few details have been changed and it will make quite a difference. I have taken all the other old chapters down because the story will be changed quite a bit. The second chapter, which is incredibly different (but better!), is almost done and will probably be out within a day. I hope you like this better. I'm going to try to update at least once every week or two. If I don't, please yell at me! :C
Once again, I am so sorry for the delay. But this will turn out much better, I promise. :D