Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Naruto; I do however own all other original characters.

The Hatter in my story was inspired by the beautiful creation of Lewis Carrol. -thank you Amnalise for pointing this out ^^

~.~

"You are Sakura, and you are my way out."

"You, Sakura are my way out."

"My way out."

"Let me out."

Sakura's eyes shot open and a startled gasp left her lips. She sat up, pink hair dangling messily into her eyes, spilling over her shoulders. Breathing heavily, she glanced back and forth across the bare walls of her room, as if her dream were going to paint them with color, and send her back to the odd fear she had experienced.

Her back shook as tremors racked her body, the memories of the other place filtered into her shut eyes. All Sakura wanted was to sleep, but she knew that if she did, then her sub-conscious would be vaulted into that imaginary world.

Her hands were trembling as she attempted to get out of the bed, despite the comfort of the warmth she had accumulated there. She had to get out of that room, she was suddenly feeling claustrophobic.

As quickly as her feet would carry her, Sakura was out of her room with a kunai in her hand. A mocking voice in the back of her head mentioned that this was very stupid- how was a kunai going to protect her from a dream?

As her heart rate slowed, and Sakura managed to calm her breathing the pink haired woman walked to her quant kitchen- the yellow color of the walls comforting her. She sat at the small table- her head resting in her hands as she unwillingly recalled back the images of the dream.

Sakura was seated at a table- her hands were clasped in her lap and her back was rigidly straight. She was clothed in a dark red- Victorian styled dress, with a bodice lined with lace and a large skirt that filled the plush chair that she was sitting in. Her eyes were darting back and forth, taking in the sight of the long thin table she was seated at. There was only one other chair at the table, all the way at the end and it was empty.

The table itself was littered with a myriad of teapots- all shapes and sized- and mismatched china cups. There were several sugar bowls, all filled with what looked like mud- and containers made to hold cream full of curdled milk. The smell was revolting.

"How do you like my tea party, Sakura?" Came a voice from the other end of the table. A man now sat there, not much older than she. He was clothed in a dark red suit; the silk shirt he was wearing underneath was midnight black. A top hat rested upon his head, a card sticking out of the band around it, on it was the improper faction- 10/6.

His face was quiet charming, full lips and large purple tinted eyes. He was deathly pale, and thin, the color of his clothes contrasted greatly with the midnight shade of his hair.

"Who-who…who are you?" Her voice sounded meek in her own ears, and her heart was pounding fiercely in her chest. Some primal instinct urged her to move, to get away from this man. But to her horror, Sakura was unable to. No matter how hard she tried, her body was frozen in its straight rigid posture; her only movement was her franticly flickering eyes and her rapid breathing.

The man laughed, it was shrill and sent shivers down her spine. There was a touch of hysterical madness to the sound, and it made Sakura's eyes water with unshed tears. Why was she so afraid?

"Do you like your dress, Sakura? I picked it especially for you..." He trailed off, and Sakura was now able to move her head- But she didn't look at the dress, nor did she look at the man.

Her eyes were instead drawn to the scenery around the table and its two occupants. It seemed as if they were outside, and it was apparently night- for there was a moon hanging in the sky, it was tinted red and bloated… looking almost sickly in a way.

The trees surrounding them were blacker than the night that they were intruding upon. The branches were gnarled and twisting- moving at their own accord as if reaching for her. A scream caught in Sakura's throat.

"Don't worry…" The man smiled widely- pearly white teeth seeming to gleam in the source less light. "I won't let them hurt you..." His voice dropped to a whisper, but this did nothing to comfort Sakura.

"I am Alister." He said, his strange purple eyes locked onto those of green emerald. "You are Sakura…And you are my way out."

"You, Sakura, are my way out."

"My way out."

"LET ME OUT."

And then the yellow walls of her kitchen swirled back into view and Sakura knew she was safe. For now anyway.

~.~

"Sakura! Sakura wait up!" Sakura stopped and smiled at the blond haired boy that came to walk beside her, now easily matching her pace. "Phew, where are you going in such a hurry, Sakura?" Naruto asked, the familiar boyish smile gracing his features.

"I'm actually going to go and see Tsunade. She said she wanted to talk to me… would you like to come with me? I don't think she'd mind…" She said, smiling at him. He just nodded enthusiastically and walked with her.

"So, how are you doing?" Now that Sasuke's gone…? was added silently to the familiar question that she had been asked so frequently lately.

"I'm fine Naruto, really." She smiled reassuringly, nodding her head. "I'm just busy lately is all." Which was a lie, and they both knew it. But Sakura had been strong and she would continue to do so until her heart was completely healed. Naruto just nodded and dropped the subject, not wanting to quarrel.

Soon they emerged into the large crossway in the middle of Konoha, the Hokage building situated in the middle. Sakura smoothed her face into an expression of calm confidence, her chin held high and her eyes set forward.

Naruto smile widely, and trailed behind his best friend.

~.~

Well, first chapter is done… hope you liked it.