Chapter 1: Unnecessary Introductions.

Hey everyone :D Here's Chapter 1. Hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

It's dark….where am I? The atmosphere is stuffy and humid. I can barely breathe. My hands are clammy and I start to feel dizzy. I feel panic arise within me. The sickly feeling in my stomach makes it even worse. Shit. Breathe Sakura. Get ahold of yourself! I can feel myself start to lose consciousness. I start to cough. My breaths have become ragged and I am close to hyperventilating. My legs feel weak. They start to give out. I am falling. My fall is long. Death has caught up to me today. Finally. I await for the pain to take over my body. I know my fall is close to an end …. Ring. Ring. Ringggggg.

My eyes shoot open and I sit up in my bed. Sweat drips down from my forehead and I have somehow managed to kick my pink comforter off of me because it lays discarded on the floor near the foot of my bed. I grab my phone and silence the alarm.

The time is 7:45. I sigh and roll out of bed. It's Monday. The worst day of the week. I walk to the bathroom and turn the shower on. Stripping off my pajamas and throwing them into the clothes hamper , I step under the running water and let out a small sigh.

The hot water feels good against my skin. Almost too good. As I start to wash my hair with my vanilla shampoo, I look down at my thighs and frown. The scars are still noticeable. I'm only three months clean, however, so I hope they fade before my mother sees them. I've been extra careful about hiding them. I've avoided wearing short dresses , stepping out of the bathroom without my towel covering my thighs , and I lock my bedroom door while changing. Always. Just in case. Self harm was one of the many guilty addictions I've had.

After my shower, I wrap a fluffy red towel around myself and begin to dry my hair and do my makeup. My pink locks were naturally wavy. With no intention of burdening them with a straightener today, I decide to just put my hair up in a high bun with a few strands loose to frame my face.

My makeup was the usual : foundation. concealer, bronzer , lipstick and eyeliner and mascara. I look a little less dead that way. The puffy dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep and constant crying is not a good look.

After getting dressed in jeans and a black shirt with a pink floral pattern on it, I go downstairs to see that both my parents have left to work. Thank god. Awkward family small-talk was not my thing.

The clock reads 8:20. I have 20 minutes to get to school. I grab a granola bar and hear a honk. I go outside to see a black Corvette parked in the driveway.

Slinging my backpack, over my shoulder , I open the car door to see my best friend Ino Yamanaka. "Get in Forehead!" She grins, "I'm not gonna be late because of your slow ass. Wait never mind ! You have no ass!".

She laughs and I glare at her and slide into the passenger's seat. It's true. I am quite skinny, due to my fast metabolism. My breasts are a fairly good size however my butt is… nonexistent.

"Whatever Pig." I roll my eyes "At least I don't have to watch what I eat. There's no chance of me getting fat. Unlike you."

Ino gasps and flips her long blonde ponytail. "I see someone has woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Again." "I'm just tired" I say while chewing a piece of the granola bar.

Ino slightly frowns. "Sure Sakura. Whatever you say."

I look over to Ino and examine her facial expression. She seems to be in deep thought. Her perfectly plucked and filled - in eyebrows are knitted together and her pink painted lips are set into a line. Today she is wearing a purple sweater dress paired with black leggings. She looks pretty. As always.

I inwardly sigh. I know her and the others worry about me. But really I am fine. At least I try to be.

The rest of the car ride is spent in silence. Soon we pull up to Konoha High and find a parking space. The senior parking lot is full with kids our age laughing and talking. Couples are holding hands and sneaking a kiss here and there. I frown. It must be nice to be in love and be loved back.

It's too bad most of their relationships will end after graduation. Or even sooner. My inner sneers.

My thoughts are interrupted by the ringing of Ino's cellphone. She glares at the screen and answers the call.

"What now Kiba?" Ino snaps and I inwardly blush. Kiba Inuzuka was Ino's stepbrother. I've been madly in love with him since the day I met him and Ino, which was five years ago.

He had shown no signs of reciprocating my feelings, until recently, when we kissed at Neji Hyuga's Christmas party four months ago.

We started dating shortly after and I was actually starting to feel happy after a very long time. However, our relationship barely lasted a month until he broke up with me, saying that he was "confused" and that he needed to get his thoughts together. This left me worse than I was before, and my constant heartbreak had resulted into a panic attack and more self harm.

"No! I did not take your fucking headphones! Don't call me for such a stupid thing again !" Ino screeched into her phone and hung up.

I snicker and wrap my arm around her shoulders "Woah there buddy. It's too early in the morning for your screaming."

Ino rolled her eyes. "Shut up forehead. He's so annoying and you know it. People think I'm the older one half the damn time."

I nodded. It was true. Kiba was two years older but acted like a twelve year old most times. Ino always questioned my feelings for him. All I could do was shrug and blame love.

"How is he by the way.." I say while looking down at my combat boots, trying not to make eye contact with her.

Ino looks at me questioningly and sighs "He's fine Sak. Same as usual. But listen .. As much as I'd love for you to be my sister-in-law one day , I think you should try to forget your feelings. At least for now. I don't want to see you hurt because of my stupid brother not knowing how he feels. You're unstable already and I'm really worried about you. We all are."

I open my mouth to reply but suddenly two arms wrap themselves around Ino's waist and she gasps in surprise.

"I thought I heard your screaming out here." A deep voice says.

"Sai you idiot!" Ino says while turning around to playfully slap her boyfriend on the arm "You scared the shit outta me!"

"I know." He says and kisses her cheek. "That was the point."

Ino rolls her eyes and hugs him tight. I smile and feel a small twinge of jealousy. Those two have been together since freshmen year. I find myself wishing for a partner again.

Sai is tall and pale. Much paler than Ino and I. He has jet black hair and eyes. Today he's dressed in a black and red T shirt paired with gray jeans and black Converse shoes. The two are complete opposites but seem to really love each other.

Dream on. You'll never be loved like that. My inner snickers and I frown. She's probably right.

"Come on Sak we have 7 minutes until first period starts." Ino says while taking Sai's hand in hers and walking toward the school entrance.

I follow farther behind them because I don't want to be a third wheel. It's bad enough that I am the only single one out of all of my friends. Ino says it is for the best for now, due to my "condition". She says one day I will meet a guy who will love everything about me. But I can't seem to imagine myself with anyone else except Kiba.

I walk into first period Economics class with Iruka Sensei and take a seat next to one of my best friends, Hinata Hyuga. Hinata is exceptionally beautiful with her dark hair and pale eyes.

Today her long hair is in a high ponytail and she is wearing a baby blue dress that stops a little above her knee with a white lace collar. Her shoes are cream-colored flats that match her dress quite nicely. She is on her phone, probably texting her boyfriend Naruto.

"Hey Hina. You look cute today." I say while smiling.

Tch. You look like shit compared to all of your friends. My inner adds. I choose to ignore her comment.

Said girl looks up from her phone and flashes me a shy smile.

"Ohaiyou Sakura! Thank you. So do you. I have a date with Naruto after school so I thought I'd put in a bit more effort today." A tint of pink stains her pale cheeks and I giggle.

"Let me guess. Ramen and a movie?"

Hinata shakes her head. "Not today. He's picking up his friend from the airport today and we are treating him to dinner. It's the guy's first time back in Konoha for six years."

"I see." Is all I can say. Six years is a long time. It was before I knew Kiba…. I shake my head to get the thought of him out of my mind. I need to stop thinking of him so much.

Hinata's eyes light up "Hey I know. Why don't you come along? I'm sure his friend will be bored with just us two. You could come to keep him company. Plus free food. Your favorite." She giggles.

"Uhm." I say, feeling uneasy. "I don't know Hinata...I don't even know the guy. Wouldn't that be weird?"

"No it won't be. Plus Naruto and I would love to have you there. You haven't been seeing any of us out of school lately."

She's right. I haven't even seen Naruto in months.

Ino often disapproved of him and Hinata's relationship in the beginning, due to their four year age gap.

However, they didn't start dating until after Hinata turned eighteen, and anyone could see how much Naruto loves her.

I sigh "I'll think about it Hinata. I'm kind of busy after school today." That actually isn't a lie. For once.

Suddenly , a brown-haired female pokes her head between me and Hinata's, and turns to give me a stern look.

"Going home to lay alone in bed for the whole afternoon and cry your eyes out to depressing music doesn't constitute as "busy", Sakura." Tenten says and settles back into her seat behind us.

I turn around and glare at her. Even though she's right, her comment still annoyed me.

"What? You know it's true Sak. Seriously. You should go to this dinner. Who knows? The guy might be hot."

I roll my eyes and shake my head "Is that all you care about Tenten? Don't let Neji hear you say that."

Tenten snorts and leans back on her chair "No. But I'm just saying. Meeting a potentially hot guy never hurt anybody. And Neji isn't here today. He's sick with the flu." She pouts.

Today Tenten is dressed in a pale yellow blouse and pale blue jeans, along with brown flats.

Her hair is in her usual style : two buns on each side of her head. She isn't as girly as the rest of us, but that doesn't seem to bother Neji Hyuga , her boyfriend and also Hinata's older cousin.

Neji is a year older than us. He started school at the same time Hinata did, in order to be put in all the same classes as her for protection.

The two are pretty close, and they act more like brother and sister rather than cousins. It's actually really sweet.

"Tenten is right Sakura." Hinata says, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Text me if you decide to come before 5:30 so Naruto and I can come pick you up. The dinner's at six."

I sigh and nod. I really don't want to go to this dinner but knowing Naruto, he will show up at my house and force me to go anyway.

My phone buzzes in my pocket indicating that I have a text message from Konan. I take it out and read the message.

Your stuff is ready. You'll have to go pick it up after school. Go to this address and ask for Nagato at the counter. Tell him your name and he'll know what you came for.

A second message pops up under the first, with the address of the place.

I look around to see if Hinata or Tenten might have gotten a glimpse of the message. They are both listening to Iruka's lecture and taking notes. I sigh in relief and stuff my phone back into my jeans pocket.

The rest of the school day is long and uneventful.

In seventh period, I wait for 2:40 to come. I need to get to the bus stop around 2:55 so I can catch the 3:00 bus.

After what seems like forever , 2:40 finally arrives, and the bell dismisses us.

I dash out of class, eager to get out of school.

"Sakura!" Ino calls my name. I stop and cringe. Shit. She's going to find out.

Ino catches up to me with Sai's arm wrapped around her shoulders. "Do you need a ride home forehead ?"

I shake my head and force a smile "Thanks Pig but I'll catch a bus today."

Ino raises an eyebrow "But you hate the bus. Too many cranky old people. Remember?"

"Well I have to go to the mall today. To buy a dress." A lie.

She doesn't look convinced. "A dress? For what?"

I start to panic. Looking for an excuse as to why I need a new dress. I remember the dinner Hinata had invited me to.

"I'm going to dinner with Naruto and Hinata today." I smile.

You're getting good at this. My inner chuckles.

Ino looks surprised. It seems I've convinced her but I can tell she still holds suspicion.

"Okay." She says, accepting my excuse "just be careful. Please. Call us if you need anything."

I nod and her and Sai walk towards the parking lot.

I sigh in relief and check the time. Shit. It's 2:45. I have to run to get there in time.

I reach the bus stop by 2:57. Luckily people are still boarding the bus. I give the driver my pass and find a seat next to this middle aged man with a beard. He looks at my hair questioningly and returns to reading his newspaper.

I put headphones in my ears. The sounds of my surroundings are drowned out by music and I close my eyes.

I reach my destination by 3:35 and look up at the tall building in front of me.

The front of it reads "Hidden Leaf Hotel". I wondered why Konan would bring me to such a place. This is a five star hotel that only wealthy politicians and celebrities can afford.

I double check the address in the text message and find that I am at the right place.

I shrug and push through the heavy glass revolving door.

The inside is beautiful. I study the golden fountain in the middle of the lobby. It is encrusted with many colored jewels and is shaped like a lotus flower.

I walk towards the huge counter and find a red headed man with violet eyes. He looks young, maybe in his mid twenties, like Konan.

"Can I help you young lady?" He says while looking me up and down.

I shudder. There's something creepy and predatory about him.

"Uhm. I'm Sakura Haruno and I'm looking for Nagato?"

His eyes widen slightly and he smirks. "You're Haruno?"

I raise an eyebrow and nod. "And you are?"

"The very person you have asked for." His smirk deepens. "And you have been sent to me by whom exactly?"

"Konan."

Nagato chuckles and shakes his head.

"Is there something funny?" I ask, growing annoyed.

"No no. You're just a bit… younger. Than what I was expecting. I'm surprised my girlfriend sent me such a young customer."

I grimace inwardly. Girlfriend? Konan was dating this creep?

"Where's my stuff?" I want to get straight to the point and go home already.

Nagato grins "Eager are we? Well it was nice meeting you Ms. Haruno." He sticks out his hand, expecting me to shake it.

I'm losing my patience with this guy.

"What the fuc-"

"Shake my hand. People are watching. Don't make them suspicious."

I sigh and take hold of his hand and shake it. I begin to feel a small object being pushed into my hand. Oh. I see what's going on here.

I withdraw my hand and quickly stuff the object in my purse, looking around discreetly to see if anyone has noticed. No one is looking our way. Thank god.

I pull out my wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

Nagato chuckles again. "No need. I can't take money from such a young person. It'd be like ...taking candy from a baby." He snickers at his joke and I roll my eyes. "And judging by your school ID, you're from Konoha high , which means you took two buses just to get here."

That's true. Those bus rides were hell.

"If you insist." I say, putting my wallet back in my purse.

"It was nice meeting you Haruno. Do come again soon."

I nod and turn to walk away. An idea pops into my head and I face him again.

"Hey. Where's the bathroom? I want to pee before getting back on that bus."

Nagato doesn't look convinced of my lie, but he points to the long hallway. "Turn right. It'll be on the left. Be careful little one. "

I force a smile and walk towards the hallway. I find the bathroom with ease and go inside.

The bathroom is big and lavish looking. Thankfully there was no one in there. I go into the biggest stall and pull out the object that Nagato has given me from my purse.

Ah. We meet again my friend. My inner grins.

I look at the small packet in my hand and take a deep breath before emptying some of its white contents into my hand and entering my safe place …

Sakura's safe place? Hmmm...? I wonder what she's up to?

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-TheRebelliousEmpress