Tally Mai-chan: Hello! This chapter has undergone major re-write. For those who had read this story before you will find lot's of new content and some big differences. For those who is their first time reading this then please enjoy. Also, this story takes place in pre-shippuden time.
Chapter 1
Sakura cried, alone. The gentle boughs of the willow tree, shrouding her in a leafy haven. The gurgling brook that ran through its fingery roots a subtle encouragement of strength. She whimpered softly to herself, the vast silence, her only companion but it was only there when she was silent.
She wanted to break that grim silence and her voice choked. "I-I'm such a fool, thinking that Sasuke would ever like me. I'm so pathetic."
The silence ate her voice. Smiling made everything better right? If she smiled she would be okay, right? She tried to smile but couldn't. What was so bright about being dumped, again?
Tried and hungry she peeled away from the smooth bark of the willow tree, her fingers tracing the gentle contours, then lifting away into empty space. She walked along the rugged path, sunlight streaming through the tree tops like beacons in a fog of pristine green. Sakura stood tall and looked around her, everything was so beautiful today. The forest was humming with life, flower heads smiling at her, their bright petals showing off. Small animals dashed from bush to bush, hiding from her. She continued her trek, hoping over logs that had fallen on the trail or ducking around venturous spider webs, their silver strands crossing over the path as spider bridges.
It was an old trail no one used, at least no one she knew used it. She walked through a bulking bush, its branches lazily spread across her path and high into the air. The bush was like a guardian of her trail, most people failed to see it because of the bushes leafy foliage, so thick and bursting that it hid the little worn trail.
She walked onto the main trail, feeling the smooth track through her thin soled sandals. Solo riders often used this trail, or small groups of merchants. It was a popular scenic trail to Konoha for those who liked to get off the beaten path.
Sakura liked it because it was so peaceful, and the people you meet along the way were friendly, happy people. In fact it was a scholar and his brother that she meet on the trail that first ignited Sakura's burring desire for knowledge. The scholar was a stout man, but he had a heart of gold. He shared with Sakura secrets of the world, talking about things she could never have dreamed of, and she wanted more. He generously gave her books to study from, books that described the nature of things, how lightning and electricity worked, theories of evolution and mankind. Philosophy, astronomy, art, literature, the sciences, math, everything. She wanted to know it all.
The ground trembled softly and Sakura stood and listened. A horse neighed and cantered around a bend in the trail. Its rider a young man. The man watched her as he rode closer. It was a tall, roan colored horse with skinny legs. The ride, donned in a vibrad green cloak. He rode up to her and tugged on the reigns.
"Is this the way to Konoha?" He asked politely.
Sakura nodded and pointed down the road. "Take this trail south until you hit the road, the gates should be visible on your left."
He nodded, muttering a quick thanks and rode off. She watched him ride down the trail, wondering who he was. Maybe a messenger, for trails were safer from bandits than the more open roads.
The trail was all to herself now, no distant horse hoofs pounding the earth in the distance. She knew a lot about horses, they were gorgons creatures after all. She had a few books on them in her room. She thought about the other books sitting on her desk at home, they were due back at the library today. She should go home and return them, the library closed in a few hours.
She could also study those new philosophy books her mother bought her. Ino also gave her a book on flower arranging that looked interesting as well. It was going to be another full night of reading for her.
It's a shame she didn't get much opportunity to train today, or much at all this week for she mostly read.
She knew Naruto and Sasuke trained everyday, sometimes she would read while watching them. She smiled warmly as she remembered those wonderful days. Naruto would get bored or tired of his training and he would walk over and ask her what she was reading. She would never tell him, and she would laugh secretly as he tried to find out.
Sasuke would never give her that kind of attention though, he never paid attention to any of the things she did. She tried really hard to, to impress him, but nothing worked. She didn't think Sasuke liked books, she has never seen him read anything. Not even at the academy.
If Sakura trained more and read less would she be a better ninja? The dark thought blurted from her mouth.
"If I never spent so much time with my books, and maybe trained a little harder, would I have been so weak?"
The thought tempted her with bitter sweet wisdom. What if she had spent more time training, than reading? She could have been stronger, faster. She could have been a ninja worthy of Sasuke's respect.
Sakura looked hard and long at the trail winding ahead of her, a trail that would take her out of the woods, and to the road.
Her dark thoughts whispered to her, why go back? Why not run away, and train. Konoha had books and distractions but here, outside in the wilderness... there was nothing. She could train everyday here, honing her skills and after a few months she could go back, impressing everyone with her new found skill. Sasuke would be so impressed with her that he would have to respect her, and even... go out with her.
Sakura beamed at her plan, it was so simple, it was perfect. Why didn't she think of it before?
Because it was also stupid. Konoha was safety, it was protection, it was a guarantee of food and water. It was her home.
Sakura scowled. Home. Safety. She was sick of being protected. She was sick of being the weak link everyone saved but no one depended on.
Her sensibility told her otherwise, listing all the flaws with her supposedly genius plan. How would she get food, how would she survive, what would she do when it rained, what if this, what if that.
Her steps faltered, walking forward then taking those steps back. It was like a sick game of tug-a-war. Her sensible side moved her forward but her dark thoughts tugged her back.
Finally, she had enough. She opened her weapons pouch tied around her right calf and pulled out her wallet. She had 700 ryo. Enough money to buy some food and water in the next town over. From there she could get a part time job and rent a cheap hotel room. There she could train whenever she wasn't working and since she will be in a new town she wouldn't have to worry about her friends or family pulling her away from training for whatever reason.
This was her chance to prove herself to everyone. She could train her taijutsu and genjutsu. Sensei did say that she was greatly suited for it. IT would be like living as a mercenary. Going and doing as they please, earning money however they chose. Surely someone could use her help?
With new resolution she turned around and walked back the way she came, stopping by the bush that hid her favorite trail.
"Wish me luck." She whispered, a small smile on her face, the bush shivered in the breeze, its dropping plumage speaking in its swishing tongue. Sakura nodded, and walked down the trail.
* * *
The nearest town from Konoha was only ten miles away, approximately a five hour walk. The sun was setting its self down for slumber in the painted sky, and Sakura could catch glimpses of pink tinted clouds plastered onto a deep, blue ceiling through gaps in the trees.
When she reached the town, the sun's tip was testing the warm waters of the distant horizon. The vendors were either closing up shop. She hurried to the nearest vendor, and bought a little food to chew on. She ate as she walked, her eyes sharp for a hotel she could stay at.
Sakura walked into the nearest inn and asked for a room.
"I'm sorry," Said the old man running the counter. "There's a festival starting tomorrow and I'm booked with travelers."
"A festival?" Sakura inquired.
The old man nodded vigorously. "Yeah, the Summer Festival. Their will be games and food and dancing. To top it all off a grand fire work show."
"That sounds really cool!" Sakura thought it was the perfect way to celebrate her new independence. The gods of luck were surly smiling upon her.
"If you want." Said the old man excitedly. "The festival committee could use some help preparing the festival tonight and tomorrow morning. I'm sure that if you volunteer then someone might get you a place to sleep tonight."
"Really? Would they do that?"
He nodded, smiling. "I'm sure, in fact, my daughter Kana-chan is going over their right now. She's making the paper lanterns for the festival after all."
"I would really appreciate that."
* * *
Kana was a elegant woman, slender of build and long hair the color or honey. She did not speak much, mostly keeping to herself. She walked with poise and Sakura felt self-conscious walking beside her. Kana was a pretty sixteen year old and she was a awkward thirteen year old.
Kana wordlessly guided her through town to the village office and escorted her through the busy halls to the festival preparation room.
"Okura." Kana said to a middled aged man with heavy, defined features and a dark tan. "This girl wants to help, also she needs a place to sleep for the night."
Okura studied her for a moment, his eyes were deep set in his head, giving him a hard look to him. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"A bit young to be traveling by herself." He said more to Kana than Sakura. The elder girl shrugged and Sakura spoke up.
"I'll help out however I can! Please take care of me." She said with a bow. Okura told her to stand up and directed her to help Kana with the lanterns.
"We need a lot of lanterns," He said. "The festival boundaries were expanded this year. Need more lanterns to fill the new space."
Kana bowed and motioned for Sakura to follow her. She lead her to a table that was half piled with finished paper lanterns. Supplies lay in a mixed up pile on the remaining space.
"Organize the paper please." Kana instructed, sitting herself down in a tall stool. Her hands reaching for the paper and wood rods to start.
Sakura took to her task diligently. Being extra carefully not to damage the delicate paper. Secretly she would glance over at Kana, enchanted by the girls moving hands. She was a master at her craft, forming the paper and wood into its desired shape as if it was apart of her own body.
Sakura wondered if she could be like that one day. A great ninja who was one with her weapons. She imagined it while she worked. Her weapons would be extensions of her body, human and metal moving as one. Her fame would grow and everyone would know her name. Sasuke would have to knowledge her now.
She delighted upon her fantasy as she worked. When she finished Kana gave her a break, even letting her try to make her own paper lantern. Sakura had watched Kana make hers so her first attempt came out pretty good. One of the wood pieces was cracked though because she misjudged the bend of the wood and had to glue it back together. Also she tore the paper in a few places and she made the holes at the top and bottom too small. Kana examined her craft and said nothing, but a small smile was on the girls face.
Later, hours after sunset Okura came up to her and told her that she could sleep in the room, there were a few mattresses in the storeroom that she could use. Sakura thanked him and finished helping Kana as everyone left to go home.
Before Kana left she gave Sakura more supplies to make another paper lantern. The woman gave her a shy smile.
"There's a festival tradition here. That if a girl who works hard carries a lantern on the night of the festival and holds her lantern up to the sky during the fireworks that her wish would come true."
Sakura thanked her and then Kana too left. Sakura grabbed the mattresses and layed them out against the wall in a far corner, partly hidden by tables. She hummed a tune as she worked on her paper lantern, learning from her last mistakes.
The next morning Sakura proudly displayed her lantern on Kana's work table. The paper was a Cherry Blossom pattern on a light pink background. She tied the string around the top and attached it to the short stick that the lantern would hang daintily from.
Okura was the first one to come back. He yawned a greeting to Sakura and gave her the first assignment of the day. She has to pack the lanterns into boxes for the workers to carry. It was easy at first, for there was only a small trickle of workers coming in to take the boxes but soon things became hectic. It was only one hour to noon, the official starting time of the festival and everyone was rushing to make last minute repairs or adjustments. Sakura was pressured to work fast but still be careful not to hurt the lanterns. She had already managed to break five.
"You did good." Okura praised her as the noon arrived and everyone let out a sigh of relief. The festival had somehow pulled it's self together. "Here, workers get a pass that gets them some free stuff." He passed the card to her. "Show it at any stall and they'll give you most things for free, though you can only use it three times so think wisely about what you want."
Sakura was excited, since she was so short on money she didn't plan on buying anything from the festival but now she can buy herself some lunch and dinner. She thanked Okura and grabbed her lantern. She checked to make sure the tiny candle inside was secure and patted the matches in the small pack on her hip.
All set she left to go enjoy the festival.
* * *
Sakura blew on her hot bowl of soup. Cooling down the searing hot liquid, she spooned a little into her mouth, testing it. Still way to hot to eat properly. It was dark now, the only light coming from the many lanterns Kana made.
They lined all the streets, lighting the laid-back atmosphere. Sakura sat down a a bench in a small park near the village office. Lanterns hung from the trees and it was a spectacular sight. She could see couples walking under the trees, holding each others hands.
Sakura though about Sasuke, and how nice it would be to hold his hand under the bright tree. She quickly drank her soup, the lovey-dovey mood in the air making her feel uncomfortable. She decided to go back to the inn with the old man and his grand-daughter Kana. She wanted to thank them. Along the way she stopped at a stand selling sweet rice. She got some as a thank you gift.
She walked down the street and recognized some people from the festival committee. They told her that the fireworks were about to begin soon and that she shouldn't miss them. Sakura nodded and hurried down the road. She saw an alley cut through to the street on the other side. Thinking it would be faster she ran down it.
The alley was dark and the lanterns soft light stopped halfway down. She didn't panic, she could still see the light on the other end. Suddenly the light vanished as a dark object obstructed the path.
Sakura stopped as she started to get a bad feeling. This had trouble written all over it. She turned around but more figures strolled casually into the alley with her. They slowly closed in on her. She gritted her teeth and thought for a way out. She glanced sideways at the wooden walls surrounding her. She could run up then and to safety.
They were all male, in their six or seventeens. They all wore black but for one boy who sported a dark red jacket. She singled him out as their leader, he walked taller than the rest and had a huge cocky grin on his face.
She didn't waste a second and ran up the walls. Below the boys cried out in shock and she looked down to stick her tongue at them when their leader whirled a ball and rope over his head, shooting it easily at her. She jumped backwards but she was too slow. The object wrapped around her ankle and she was yanked downward.
Her bottom hit the ground hard and before she could react the boys jumped her, restraining her arms and legs. Their leader walked forward smugly, tugging on the rope.
"Told you this one was going to be good." He said to his gang. "She's a ninja for sure, just look at the headband on her forehead. What should we do boys, should we have some fun?"
Sakura growled with rage. She kicked out with all her might, but the boys grasps on her were too strong.
The leader bent down until his nose brushed up against hers.
"Want to have some fun?" He asked her, his vile breath earning him a look of disgust. The boys pawed at her relentlessly, hitting her each time she struggled to break free.
"Stop your crying you stupid bitch!" One of the boys slapped her. She didn't even know she was crying. She wanted her team her, she wanted Naruto and Kakashi. Most of all she wanted Sasuke.
The leader started tearing at her shirt.
"Oh?" He asked when he noticed her paper lantern. "What a piece of crap." He hurled her creation against the wall and it shattered.
"No!" She screamed. "Get away from me!" She was scared, scared of what these sordid males will do to her. She was a ninja wasn't she? Then why can't she save herself.
She was out numbered that's what. Her alone against seven. They had her pinned, they were too heavy to shake them off. If Sasuke or Naruto were in her shoes these guys would be knocked out on the ground already.
The sky exploded into color as the fire work show began. She could see the multi colored lights flashing in the sky above her. She wished she had her lantern, then she could wish it all away.
'I wish things would be different.'
"Hey!" A voice called out from the end of the alley. "You punk! Yeah you, red jacket guy. You knocked down that stand in the street."
The leader turned away from Sakura. The girl prayed that this man would save her.
"So what?" The leader spat. "They wouldn't sell me what I wanted, the food was crap anyways. Should have shaken up that old man."
"Because of you I had to wait for the street to clear." The man walked closer. "And I hate waiting."
"Wait on this bitch." The leader spun his ball and chain around the air, and threw the weapon, aiming for the mans face. The man disappeared as the weapon nearly hit him. In an instant he was behind the leader, a metal knife glinting in the dim light.
The sound of bones breaking echoed throughout the alley and the boys holding Sakura suddenly dropped her. Torn between attacking and running away, but their fear gripped them and the ran for it, fleeing from the alley and escaping in all directions.
The man glanced at her then walked away. Sakura called out after him but he was already gone. She picked herself up and examined her body. Despite her clothes being slightly torn and a few bruises on her arms and legs she was fine. Somehow.
She walked out of the alley, her thoughts reduced to basic instincts. She needed shelter.
Nestled next to a great oak tree and a picket garden was a homely inn, its manila paint peeling away from its sides, but not in a neglected way. Everything about the building looked aged and solemn, but kind and warm in return. Candles burned in the window still, inviting weary travelers to come in.
Sakura walked inside and felt better. The warm, scented air revived her from the shock. Dinner was being made, she could smell cooking bread making her mouth water. Her stomach grumbled loudly and a man next to her spoke.
"Did your mother forget to feed you tonight?"
"I don't need my mother to feed me. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Sakura resorted.
"Of course." He said, exaggerating his voice. Sakura soured at his blatant mockery of her. "A child such as yourself can do anything they want to, dose your mother know where you are, little girl?"
"I am not a child." Sakura growled, keeping her anger in check. She would not let herself get rilled by this... man. He turned to examine her, his brown eyes studying her.
"Forgive me," He rolled his eyes. "It was my mistake, since you look like a child, sound like a child and act like a child I assumed that you were one."
"I don't have to talk with you." Sakura turned her nose to him, walking to the front desk with confidence. He followed her, standing patiently a few feet away. "Don't follow me." She turned to face him again, crossing her arms across her chest.
He rolled his eyes again, pushing his red hair from his eyes. "Are you going to check in or what. I hate to wait."
Sakura blinked, there was something familiar about those words. She heard them somewhere before, recent too. Her face grew red when she remembered that she was in an inn, looking for a room. She never felt so foolish and flustered in her life.
"Sweetie?" The proprietress spoke to her, a cheerful smile on her face.
"O-one room please," Sakura nervously stuttered, pulling her money out of her weapon pouch.
"Are you on a trip with your father?" The woman kindly asked, looking at the man standing impatiently behind Sakura.
"N-no!" Sakura shouted quickly. "He's not with me! I'm by myself, I just want a room... to spend the night in."
The red haired man stared thoughtfully at them. "Now I'm not that old." He said calmly. "I'm only twenty."
"Forgive me, young man." The proprietress laughed then spoke to Sakura. "I'm sorry sweetie but you must be at least sixteen to rent a room by yourself."
"But!" Sakura interjected.
The man came up behind her, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Okay sis." He smiled down, crookedly at her. "Drop the big kid act, mom told me to take care of you. One double room for us please. " He smiled graciously to the proprietress. Sakura opened her mouth to speak but he squeezed her shoulder. She quickly shut up.
"Okay then, here is your room key, its room number 14 down the hall on the left, seven doors down. Breakfast is in the morning at 10 am. Enjoy your stay."
The man gave her a quick bow and guided Sakura calmly away. When they could no longer see the woman he took his hand off her shoulder.
Sakura stepped back, regarding him carefully. "What are you-"
"I got impatient." He said blandly. "I don't like to wait." He paused then added. "I was also curious, what's a child-"
"I am not a child."
"ah a... young girl... a young girl doing by herself?"
"It's none of your business."
"I would like to know, what if you are some wanted criminal? Or a killer with a huge bounty on your head?"
Sakura gaped at him. " A what? Me? If anybody is a killer here it's you!"
"I got a room for you."
"Yeah." Sakura stressed the word out. " A room with you. What's to say you wont kill me in my sleep?"
He put his hand over his heart and said seriously. " I vow on my life, cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye, that I will not kill you in your sleep-"
"or at all-"
He grinned. "Or at all. You're a clever girl, I can tell just by looking about you."
"I'm top of my class." She admitted proudly.
"Sasori."
"What?"
"My name, is Sasori."
"Um... okay..." An awkward silence fell between them as he stared intently at her,
"Well??" He urged her.
"Well what?"
"What is your name, I told you mine now you tell me yours."
"Oh um.... S-Sakura.... Haruno Sakura."
"Pleased to meet you Sakura" He grabbed her hand and escorted her down the hall.
"Hey, what are you."
He yawned. "I'm tired and I want to go to bed." He opened the room and walked inside. Kicking off his shoes and throwing himself down onto the nearest bed. He laid on his back, staring up at the plain white ceiling.
Sakura stood shyly by the door, not sure what to do. Should she trust this man? He looked at her curiously from the bed, his eyes meeting her own. He looked at her strangely, and acted as if he wanted to ask her something but thought better of it. Eventually he did speak.
"Why are you alone." He asked her quietly.
Sakura hung her head, staring at the floor. "I don't know.... I just got tried..."
"Of what?"
"Of being safe. All my life other people have taken care of me and protected me. Sheltered me from everything and because of that I became weak. My own team, my own friends don't think that I'm strong enough to be a ninja. My sensei always trained my teammates... and never me." Tears welled up in her eyes and her face was burning hot. What was she doing? Telling all this to a total stranger.
Sasori was silent and listened to her talk. Sakura sat down on the other bed, continuing her story. She told him about the trail in the woods by her hometown, the bush that hid it. She told him of the scholar she meet and the books he gave her. She told him how she decided to go of on her own and train.
He said nothing but his gaze never wavered. He seemed to stare off into space, thinking.
"I'm an idiot." She sighed. "This was a horrible plan, already it's not working. You heard that woman. You have to be sixteen to rent a room at an inn. If I'm to young to get a room at some inn then I'm probably too young to get a part time job."
"Probably."
Sakura wanted to pull the conversation away from her, she felt like she had talked about herself enough. "What about you. Why are you alone?"
Sasori leaned back in his bed, silent for a long time. "Because I choose to be alone." he said placidly. "Good night, don't sleep in." He turned over on his side and his breathing steadied.
Sakura envied him for being able to sleep so soundly so quickly. It wasn't for another two hours before she could find peaceful slumber. Her dreams were muddled with confusion and uncertainty. She heard a mumbling sound, like someone talking through a thick rag all throughout her dreams. She saw her mother and friends, they never spoke to her, moving about their day like ghosts. Completely forgetting about her.
She wanted to call out to them, to make them notice her. She opened her mouth but no words came out. Tears fell from her eyes, a feeling of uselessness washed over her like a cold rain, jarring her. She stopped crying, the mumbling sound in her ears rang louder, shouting at her.
"I'll be stronger." She told her friends, the mumbles. "I'll become so much more stronger."
Her dream slipped away, the mumbling voices reduced by the blowing wind outside the room window. She fell into peaceful slumber.
* * *
Sakura yawned, the bright morning sunlight warming her face. She stretched her arms into the air, released another yawn. She felt like the cat her mom kept for company, a fat little furball it was, all it ever did was sleep and stretch. She sat up, rubbing her eyes slowly.
"Sasori?" She yawned, turning to the empty bed not far from hers. "Sasori?"
There was no answer.
"Sasori!" She jumped out of bed, looking all around the small room. The red haired man was nowhere to be found. Dejected Sakura sat down on her bed, her knees curled up against her chest. She felt stupid, for trusting a total stranger. She should have figured he would have left her, but not like this.
She thought about her mother back at home alone. Would Konoha come searching for her? Sakura looked out her window, searching for the metallic glint of a Konoha head band. Most likely the village would send someone, her team maybe, to find her. She ran through the scenario in her head.
They would guess that she ran away or was kidnapped and then send out her team to retrieve her. What would Sasuke think? She moaned loudly, burring her face into the palm of her hands. Sasuke would think that she is the biggest weakling in the world for getting kidnapped or running away. She could tell him that it was to train but he wouldn't believe her. She moaned again, heart broken.
She had to keep moving, go to another town, a town further away from Konoha. This would be the first place a search party would look for her. The stupidity of her plan was coming back to get her. Suddenly leaving the village like that, leaving no notice or note. Telling everyone she was fine and was going to go train on her own. Not that her mother or friends would let her do that if they knew.
"Hungry?" A hand held a piece of buttered toast in front of her. Sakura's head snapped up and she saw Sasori, looking terribly bored. "What?" He asked her. "You don't like toast."
Sakura stammered. "I-I th-thought you l-left."
"Yeah," Sasori handed her the toast, taking a drink from the cup in his hands. "To go get breakfast. I told you not to sleep in. You missed out on a good meal."
Sakura looked away from him, embarrassed. She politely took a bite from her toast, savoring its taste. It was homemade bread made with some kind of minty tasting plant in it. The butter was homemade too and had a light taste of honey to it.
"You want to get stronger?" Sasori made light conversation with her, finishing the rest of his drink.
"Wh-what?"
"I heard you, talking in your sleep last night." He sat down next to her on the bed, the mattress sinking a little. "You said you wanted to be stronger."
"Oh..." Sakura remembered her dream, seeing her friends and something else... something she didn't quite remember but knew was important. "I want to be stronger." She spoke her mantra. "I want to be stronger..." Thoughts of the alley drifted back to her. How helpless she was to that gang of boys. There was nothing she could do. She hated her own weakness.
He thought quietly for a moment. "What do you want to do, besides becoming stronger?"
Sakura looked at him, unsure of what he was asking. Sasori sat waiting for her answer, his mouth drawn into a slight frown. She thought about traveling. As a ninja she would go to many places but then again she would never have the time to fully appreciate the places she would go to. "I would like to travel. I would like to travel and be able to enjoy the places I go to."
"That's good" Sasori nodded nonchalantly. "Going out and seeing the world, all the new strange places and people."
There was more to Sasori than he left on, Sakura decided and she wanted to find out what. "What about you, are you a traveler? Or are you really a criminal?" She added that last part as a joke but Sasori's face was drawn, serious.
"I am a traveler of sorts." He said slowly and walked out of the room.
"Wait!" Sakura followed after him, he glanced backwards at her. That cold look he gave her made her heart falter. "I... let me go with you!" She dropped to the ground, bowing to him. "Please! Let me travel with you!"
"No." Sasori kicked her head with the heel of his foot. She tumbled backwards over her head.
She got back up, bowing again. "Please." She repeated, "Please."
"Don't bow to me." He kicked her again, harder this time. Sakura clutched her head. She glared up at him, her eyes burning with resolution.
"Take me with you."
Sasori growled with impatience and wordlessly left. He paid for the room and turned to find Sakura following him. He ignored her and left the inn, glancing up at the hot sun. Sakura followed him out side and down the street until he stopped at the village gates.
"You won't stop following me will you." He glared ice at her but she did not flinch. She nodded and he sighed. "Fine, you can come with me, don't get in my way."
Sakura sported a grin. She followed behind Sasori and together they walked in silence.
* * *
Sakura awoke to the sight of a great horned owl swooping down at her, its soft tail feathers dusting the top of her head. She screamed and ducked, the owl gliding past her, its sharp talons snatching a rat. The owl beat its wings, lifting off into the still night air.
Sasori fast asleep against the trunk of a tree stirred slightly and was still. Sakura glanced shyly at him and stood up. She wasn't much for sleeping in the woods, especially without a sleeping back. So when Sasori told her they were camping out after hours of walking she wasn't entirely pleased.
Then they left town Sasori told her that he was going to Tea. He told her he justed wanted to know if it really had good Tea but she didn't think that was the entire reason. They took a popular road that would take them straight there.
Sakura stifled a yawn and stood up. She didn't feel tired, maybe if she went out and walked for a bit then she would feel better. As quietly as she could she left their small camp and walked through the forest away from the road.
The night forest gave her no trouble as she took a moment to take in the moon, smiling down on her. After several moments she started to feel cold and walked back, just as she just about reached the camp someone tackled her from behind.
Naruto grinned smugly at her. "We got you Sakura!"
Sakura struggled, kicking wildly. She landed a hit on Naruto's stomach and the blond let her go. She scrambled away from him.
"Sakura!" Naruto tried to grab her again, she slapped his hand away and jumped backwards, right into Sasuke. The stoic Uchiha grabbed her.
"Let me go!" Sakura demanded, glaring at her teammates.
"We're helping you Sakura! We were told you were kidnapped! We had to come save you."
She looked up at Sasuke. He didn't look at her, holding her loosely, like he didn't want to touch her. And hell did it make her mad. "Let me go." she growled, her fingers curling into a fist. "Let me go!" She repeated, her voice stronger.
"No."
Sakura shook in rage, she wasn't going to look weak in front of Sasuke. She grabbed his hand holding her and twisted it around. Pointing his palm forward and his body easily crumpled. He grunted in pain and she slid out of his grasp. Sasuke looked shocked for a moment but quickly covered it.
Rocking on her heels she rolled backwards, pulling kunai from her weapons pouch, and threw with lethal aim. Naruto and Sasuke scattered, evading her attack. She created a clone and split, going in two different directions. Sasuke shouted at Naruto and they chased after Sakura. Each one going after a different Sakura.
Sakura jumped up into the trees, moving fast and quietly. She created another clone that jumped back down to the ground and ran off, creating a false trail. Concealing herself in the tree, she held her breath in anticipation. Sasuke burst out from the bushes and saw the marks left where she jumped and he gazed up. He ran forward as saw where her clone landed and ran off. He didn't move for a long while. He was waiting, waiting for any sign that she was still there.
She stayed as still as possible, not even breathing for fear of Sasuke noticing. The boy retraced her steps, he had to be indecision. If he was connived the clone was her than every second he stayed there the farther she got but if it was a ploy then she would still get away.
Finally he chased after her clone, disappearing into the night. She exhaled deeply, and jumped down from the tree and ran back, being careful to not leave any tracks. She stopped to listen and heard the sound of metal clanging in the distance. She followed the sound and jumped over a log.
Two windmill shurikans whizzed past her, metal wire tied between them. The wire caught her and the shurikans twisted around her. Sasuke leaped down from the trees, his face blank. He grabbed her but set her down. Positioning her so she faced him. He stared at her and asked.
"Why?"
Sakura looked into his eyes and saw something she didn't recognize. Was it curiosity? Was he amused by her pitiful attempts to look strong? The feeling there wasn't mocking. It was more serious and thoughtful.
"I was attacked and almost raped. I couldn't do a thing, there were too many of them. They had weapons and I was pinned down. There was nothing I could do! If I wasn't saved at the last minute then... I don't want to depend of someone saving me all the time! I want to be able to save myself! I want to be stronger." She answered. "No, I just don't want to be stronger. I am going to become stronger. As strong as you Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke blinked, unsure what to say. Sasuke grabbed her but she rolled away. Kakashi flew overhead, landing in front of Sasuke, blood staining his right arm.
Her head lifted her up and she watched her teacher. Kakashi coughed, blood dripping from his mouth.
"Sakura, come back with us." Her sensei pleaded.
Sakura couldn't speak, she shook her head. Naruto walked up next to them, looking absolutely pitiful. "I'm going to get stronger." She cried, hating the tears that fell from her eyes. "I wont go back until I'm stronger."
Suddenly it came to her. This wasn't real. It was a genjutsu. It was impossible that her team followed her all this way. It's only been two days since she left. They couldn't have found her so soon. She did the hand sign and released herself from the genjutsu.
"For a moment I thought I had to save you there." Sasori said coolly, watching her with one eye open. Sakura took her spot back by her tree and sat in silence. Sasori shrugged her off and went back to sleep easily.
Sakura really hated him for that.
* * *
Their trek continued for two days, and almost no words were exchanged between them. Sakura hated the silence, she wanted to talk or do something other than walk but every time she tried to start up a conversation Sasori would tell her to shut up.
Soon she grew accustomed to their silence, but she still did not like it. After walking all day in silence, night fell and they could see their destination.
The town looked like a bright eyes arachnid from the distance. The river streaming from its head its lanky limbs. Silver leafed trees whose name Sakura could not recall that moment greeted them as they walked into the village. The lights from villager homes and restaurants made Sakura's spirits soar. Using what was left of her money she bought herself a bowl of rice and chicken from a vendor and scarfed the food down, savoring the last few bites. Sasori found a cheap hotel for them and they brought a room for the rest of the night.
Tired and no longer hungry Sakura fell peacefully asleep in her own bed. Sasori however would find no such rest.
Sasori stood by the window, letting the curtains conceal him from the outside world. They were being followed and he did not like it. Their stalkers were patient, waiting for that right moment to strike.
When he left Sakura to find a hotel he left a false trail for them to follow. And it worked. Now he faced the real problem, who was tracking them?
The first possibility that came to his mind sent a cold child down his spine. He tried not to think about it but the words kept coming back to him, teasing him. They were dark and mysterious people. Masters of the one-hit kill and every criminal or rouge ninjas nightmare. Hunter ninja.
* * *
End
* * *
Tally Mai-chan: Lot's of changes yes? Do you like them? Is this story even greater now? Well I hope so!
Review! Review now! Or else bunnies dressed like Might Guy will attack you in your sleep!